Support moms grieving their lost child

This Mother's Day, will you support those mothers who are grieving the child they lost? Continue Reading

World Down Syndrome Day: Such Good News To Share

Today is World Down Syndrome Day. I have an op-ed in our local paper; a webinar at noon on prenatal testing; a new organization supporting moms launches; and your support is needed! Continue Reading

World Down Syndrome Day in the news

Today, my daughter and I had the opportunity to talk about World Down Syndrome Day with John Ramsey on WAVE Listens Live on our local NBC affiliate. Above is the video of the segment and below are links regarding the topics we discussed.  Continue Reading

Buddy Walk on Washington & the Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action Conference

It's one of my favorite times of the year: this week is the National Down Syndrome Society's Buddy Walk on Washington and the Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action annual conference.  Continue Reading

Risk-free prenatal testing may increase risk of prenatal testing

In 2014, I attended the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) annual conference. Turns out, research presented there showed that a prediction of mine is happening: non-invasive prenatal screening may increase the risk of diagnostic prenatal testing. Continue Reading

Prenatal testing for Down syndrome webinar, March 3rd

UPDATE: The National Center for Prenatal & Postnatal Down Syndrome Resources and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities are co-sponsoring a webinar Monday, March 3, 2014, 12:00 - 1:30, EST. Please note the new date, March 3rd. I will be co-presenting with Dr. Brian Skotko about the newest prenatal testing for Down syndrome and how Down syndrome support organizations can respond to questions from media and members. The webinar is free.  Continue Reading

From the News Page: Inspiraporn, the State of the Union, & Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines

From the News Page: Co-Chair of the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus, and mom, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers will deliver the Republican Response to tomorrow's State of the Union address. Dr. Skotko delivers a Grand Rounds presentation on updated Down syndrome health care guidelines. A St. Louis OB writes about the new prenatal testing. A panel of parent/authors speak tonight at Columbia. And, a mom takes on Inspiraporn! Continue Reading

The simplest way to raise awareness about Down syndrome this holiday season

In 2007, I attended my first ever National Down Syndrome Congress conference. Campbell Brasington, a genetic counselor from Charlotte, North Carolina, shared the simplest way to raise awareness about Down syndrome and engage in medical outreach.  Continue Reading

Where the DoD/VA prenatal testing guidelines fall short: the need for post-test counseling

With Veterans Day starting off this week, I have been examining the Department of Defense/Veterans Administrations guidelines concerning prenatal genetic testing. So far, the guidelines provide the most robust recommendations for pre-test counseling. Here, however, is where the guidelines fall short. Continue Reading