Introduction

September 6, 1999

Welcome to the list Eileen;

My name is and I have boy/girl twins that are now 2 years 8

months. They were born at 27 weeks gestation so we have had alot of Dr

appointments these past few years. I can only imagine what your life has

been like and my thoughts are with you....I am so sorry to hear about your

husband, Rob passing away. Looks like you and I are the only two people on

the list (so far) that don't live in the USA.....I'm sure that won't last

long tho. I also have a 10 month old girl, .

Have a good day,

, mom to Nicala & , ds (2yr8mth) and (10mth)

Ontario, Canada

September 6, 1999

ECharnley@... wrote:

>

> From: ECharnley@...

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> Just to introduce myself and say hello. My name is Eileen and I have triplet

> girls aged 7 - Emma, Helen (who has DS) and Kate. I live in Northumberland,

> near the ish Border, England. After 10 years of trying for a family,

> the girls were conceived through GIFT - imagine our euphoria when it was

> confirmed that I was pregnant - then to have not one but three babies show up

> on the scan!

>

> I didn't have any tests as we didn't want to take any risks with 3 precious

> babies, so we had no idea Helen had DS until she was born. I think Rob knew

> straight away, but I didn't see Helen as she was whisked off the the Special

> Care Baby Unit.

>

> The first 3 years passed in a blur and at this time Rob was diagnosed with

> cancer. He died just before the girls were 4. So what should have been one

> of the happiest stages of our lives - having time to enjoy our family -

> turned out to be the complete opposite. Since then I have had the task of

> bringing up the girls up singlehandedly. The girls have been my lifeline and

> have kept me busy through this time. They are Rob's legacy.

>

> Eileen

>

> ---------------------------

September 6, 1999

I just wanted to say welcome Eileen and glad to see yet another set of

triplets join the list! I have 4 year old triplet boys. (DS) ,

CHristopher and Alec and I have a little girl age 2 named Hunter!! I just

wanted to let you know I was here and if you ever want to talk I am here!!

WELCOME!! mom to , , Alec and Hunter

September 6, 1999

Hi Eileen, I just wanted

to welcome you to the list. I have 15 month old girl/boy twins. My

little boy, Landon, has DS and my little girl, Ashton doesn't. They

were also conceived after various infertility treatments. We finally

conceived through Invitro Fertilization and ICSI. They implanted four

but only two took. I completely understand the euphoria you felt.It

was like you longed for a baby and then you were having more than one.

I prayed for twins so my prayers were answered.We knew that DS was a

possibility prior to delivery because Landon had the double bubble sign

on his intestines appear on an ultrasound. That gave us a 30% chance of

having a child with DS. We too had opted not to have an amnio. I wasn't

going to do anything to jeopardize this pregnancy so it was a waiting

game for us. We didn't know after he was born because he didn't show a

lot of the signs of DS. The test came back in about 10 days and then

we knew. There is also another mom on the list who conceived her twins

through Invitro. Talk about a small world! How much did your babies

weigh? Ashton weighed 3lbs 4ouces and Landon weighed 2lbs 12ounces.They

have overcome their prematurity and appear to be in the norm on the

growth charts.I know things must have been really tough for you with

the death of your husband. I'm so glad that you have had the girls to

help you with your loss. Children can really help us through the worst

of times. Again, welcome to the list.

( mom to Landon(DS) and Ashton -15

months

--- ECharnley@... wrote:

s> From: ECharnley@...

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> Just to introduce myself and say hello. My name is

> Eileen and I have triplet

> girls aged 7 - Emma, Helen (who has DS) and Kate. I

> live in Northumberland,

> near the ish Border, England. After 10 years

> of trying for a family,

> the girls were conceived through GIFT - imagine our

> euphoria when it was

> confirmed that I was pregnant - then to have not one

> but three babies show up

> on the scan!

>

> I didn't have any tests as we didn't want to take

> any risks with 3 precious

> babies, so we had no idea Helen had DS until she was

> born. I think Rob knew

> straight away, but I didn't see Helen as she was

> whisked off the the Special

> Care Baby Unit.

>

> The first 3 years passed in a blur and at this time

> Rob was diagnosed with

> cancer. He died just before the girls were 4. So

> what should have been one

> of the happiest stages of our lives - having time to

> enjoy our family -

> turned out to be the complete opposite. Since then

> I have had the task of

> bringing up the girls up singlehandedly. The girls

> have been my lifeline and

> have kept me busy through this time. They are Rob's

> legacy.

>

> Eileen

>

> ---------------------------

September 7, 1999

Welcome to the list Eileen,

My name is and I have 16 month old boy/girl twins. (DS) and

Sloan Isis.

This list has become very helpful and supportive to me.

I enjoy getting to everyone and especially the children.

~

September 7, 1999

Huckabee wrote:

>

> From: Huckabee <ahuckabee@...>

>

> Hi Eileen, I just wanted

> to welcome you to the list. I have 15 month old girl/boy twins. My

> little boy, Landon, has DS and my little girl, Ashton doesn't. They

> were also conceived after various infertility treatments. We finally

> conceived through Invitro Fertilization and ICSI. They implanted four

> but only two took. I completely understand the euphoria you felt.It

> was like you longed for a baby and then you were having more than one.

> I prayed for twins so my prayers were answered.We knew that DS was a

> possibility prior to delivery because Landon had the double bubble sign

> on his intestines appear on an ultrasound. That gave us a 30% chance of

> having a child with DS. We too had opted not to have an amnio. I wasn't

> going to do anything to jeopardize this pregnancy so it was a waiting

> game for us. We didn't know after he was born because he didn't show a

> lot of the signs of DS. The test came back in about 10 days and then

> we knew. There is also another mom on the list who conceived her twins

> through Invitro. Talk about a small world! How much did your babies

> weigh? Ashton weighed 3lbs 4ouces and Landon weighed 2lbs 12ounces.They

> have overcome their prematurity and appear to be in the norm on the

> growth charts.I know things must have been really tough for you with

> the death of your husband. I'm so glad that you have had the girls to

> help you with your loss. Children can really help us through the worst

> of times. Again, welcome to the list.

> ( mom to Landon(DS) and Ashton -15

> months

>

> --- ECharnley@... wrote:

> s> From: ECharnley@...

> >

> > Hello everyone,

> >

> > Just to introduce myself and say hello. My name is

> > Eileen and I have triplet

> > girls aged 7 - Emma, Helen (who has DS) and Kate. I

> > live in Northumberland,

> > near the ish Border, England. After 10 years

> > of trying for a family,

> > the girls were conceived through GIFT - imagine our

> > euphoria when it was

> > confirmed that I was pregnant - then to have not one

> > but three babies show up

> > on the scan!

> >

> > I didn't have any tests as we didn't want to take

> > any risks with 3 precious

> > babies, so we had no idea Helen had DS until she was

> > born. I think Rob knew

> > straight away, but I didn't see Helen as she was

> > whisked off the the Special

> > Care Baby Unit.

> >

> > The first 3 years passed in a blur and at this time

> > Rob was diagnosed with

> > cancer. He died just before the girls were 4. So

> > what should have been one

> > of the happiest stages of our lives - having time to

> > enjoy our family -

> > turned out to be the complete opposite. Since then

> > I have had the task of

> > bringing up the girls up singlehandedly. The girls

> > have been my lifeline and

> > have kept me busy through this time. They are Rob's

> > legacy.

> >

> > Eileen

> >

> > ---------------------------

October 13, 1999

Welcome to ,Anita,Sharmini,n and Tavrick.

I'm glad to see you made it.I really enjoy this list and very informative,find

out all kinds of information.

~,moma to (DS) and Sloan {17 months}

October 13, 1999

Hi ! Welcome to the list! My name is Judi and

I have 33 mos. old identical twin boys, Sam & .

We are just starting the transition process to school

and I too would be interested in info on splitting

twins into different classes. My personal opinion is

to try to keep them together just because I think that

being dependant on each other at 3 is not harmful and

separating them may be harmful. Just my mothers

intuition kicking in! I subscribe to TWINS magazine

and I think there was an article in the past issue

that talked about twins in the same classroom. (I've

slept since I've read it and can't remember the

details. I'll try to dig it out & see what it said).

Judi-Mom to Sam & , 33mos. Identical Twins

--- Lawless <lawless@...> wrote:

> I'm new to the list, and I'm introducing myself--as

> was requested. My name

> is Lawless, and I'm a professor of

> anthropology at Wichita State

> University. My wife is Anita Raghavan, and she is a

> communications

> consultant currently working on setting up the

> annual Asian Festival here

> in Wichita. We have a daughter Sharmini who turned

> seven yesterday, and

> twin boys n and Tavrick who will turn four on

> November 16. Tavrick has

> Down syndrome.

> The boys are a riot together. The first thing n

> asks when he wakes up

> is " Where's Tavrick " (because Tavrick is always

> already awake and having

> breakfast). Tavrick squeals and jumps down from the

> breakfast table when

> n comes into the room, and they have 15 minutes

> of loving each other,

> hugging and kissing and wrestling. They go to

> preschool together in the

> same class. This is a school that integrates

> typically and non-typically

> developing children. n is very, very talkative,

> and Tavrick, who says

> about 25 or so one-syllable words, is very much into

> signing. n

> understands signs, but doens't do much signing back.

> Sharmini, on the other

> hand, is a quite proficient signer.

> Tavrick has no medical difficulties, but he does,

> of course, have low

> muscle tone. Right now we are in the process of

> toilet training Tavrick

> (n is already trained). Tavrick seems to go in

> spirts, and he always

> happily saves a spirt for the toilet, but he also

> always goes in his diaper

> (or pull-up of padded underwear). He seems to go

> about every 30 minutes.

> Does anyone have any suggestions?

> I am also interested in those who have had

> experience with keeping twins

> together--or those who suggest that they be kept

> apart--in kindergarten and

> first grade and so forth.

> <lawless@...>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> http://DSyndrome.com/Multiples

>

<HR>

>

=====

October 13, 1999

Hi -

Welcome to the list.

My husband and I are students at the University of Arizona. I am finishing

my second degree in education and he is almost done with a Masters in

Management Information Systems.

We have three children, Quinn age 3 and Sara and Maggie, one year. Maggie

has Down syndrome. She has no health problems. She started crawling this

week. Now I have two babies to track around the house. My mother calls

them free range chickens.

I look forward to hearing about you and your family.

Re: introduction

From: Judi Grossman <judig2@...>

Hi ! Welcome to the list! My name is Judi and

I have 33 mos. old identical twin boys, Sam & .

We are just starting the transition process to school

and I too would be interested in info on splitting

twins into different classes. My personal opinion is

to try to keep them together just because I think that

being dependant on each other at 3 is not harmful and

separating them may be harmful. Just my mothers

intuition kicking in! I subscribe to TWINS magazine

and I think there was an article in the past issue

that talked about twins in the same classroom. (I've

slept since I've read it and can't remember the

details. I'll try to dig it out & see what it said).

Judi-Mom to Sam & , 33mos. Identical Twins

--- Lawless <lawless@...> wrote:

> I'm new to the list, and I'm introducing myself--as

> was requested. My name

> is Lawless, and I'm a professor of

> anthropology at Wichita State

> University. My wife is Anita Raghavan, and she is a

> communications

> consultant currently working on setting up the

> annual Asian Festival here

> in Wichita. We have a daughter Sharmini who turned

> seven yesterday, and

> twin boys n and Tavrick who will turn four on

> November 16. Tavrick has

> Down syndrome.

> The boys are a riot together. The first thing n

> asks when he wakes up

> is " Where's Tavrick " (because Tavrick is always

> already awake and having

> breakfast). Tavrick squeals and jumps down from the

> breakfast table when

> n comes into the room, and they have 15 minutes

> of loving each other,

> hugging and kissing and wrestling. They go to

> preschool together in the

> same class. This is a school that integrates

> typically and non-typically

> developing children. n is very, very talkative,

> and Tavrick, who says

> about 25 or so one-syllable words, is very much into

> signing. n

> understands signs, but doens't do much signing back.

> Sharmini, on the other

> hand, is a quite proficient signer.

> Tavrick has no medical difficulties, but he does,

> of course, have low

> muscle tone. Right now we are in the process of

> toilet training Tavrick

> (n is already trained). Tavrick seems to go in

> spirts, and he always

> happily saves a spirt for the toilet, but he also

> always goes in his diaper

> (or pull-up of padded underwear). He seems to go

> about every 30 minutes.

> Does anyone have any suggestions?

> I am also interested in those who have had

> experience with keeping twins

> together--or those who suggest that they be kept

> apart--in kindergarten and

> first grade and so forth.

> <lawless@...>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> http://DSyndrome.com/Multiples

>

<HR>

>

=====

http://DSyndrome.com/Multiples

October 14, 1999

Hello and welcome and Anita,

I have 7 year old triplets - Emma, Kate and Helen (DS). They have always

been in the same class together in our small village school (about 54

children) and I wouldn't have it any other way. The other typical kids are

good for Helen and Helen is good for them. I think Emma and Kate are turning

out to be very tolerant, kind and understanding of others both with and

without disabilities - because of Helen, and depending upon the way

disabilities are handled in school, then the other children can benefit from

this experience.

I know Helen is probably not getting the expertise of trained special

education teachers, but I look on Helen's experience at school as social and

to a lesser extent academic. I am very lucky in that Helen has an extremely

capable and enthusiastic assistant with her for 19 hours a week. At the

beginning of term, it was decided that it was in Helen's best interests to be

placed in a lower class for Literacy and Numeracy. I was against this.

After a week and a half, the Head Teacher came to me and told me that it

wasn't working and that I had been right all along about Helen. She said

that Helen belonged with her own age group and with her sisters (who were

missing her). I have no doubt that this is only the start of conflicts

which will happen throughout Helen's life. However, I am determined that

Helen stays in mainstream school with the extra support to which she is

entitled.

As regards toilet training, I didn't have time to consider it for quite a few

years. I used to take her to the toilet at regular intervals - once an hour

to start with, then gradually increasing the length of time. She wore

pullups which made it easier. Sometimes she was successful, but would still

have occasional accidents. When eventually it was suggested at school in

July that we get rid of her pullups I was agast! However, in the space of 2

weeks Helen was almost 100% reliable - I couldn't believe it, and still

can't! It has made an amazing difference to our lives.

Eileen

mum to triplets Emma, Helen (DS) and Kate (7 years)

October 14, 1999

Hi Anita and ,

Welcome to the list! I am a special education

teacher, wife to Garland and mother to Ashton and

Landon- 16 month old twins and -6 years. We live

in SC. I hope that you enjoy the list as much as I do.

Again, welcome to the list.

mom to Landon (DS) and Ashton -16

months.

--- Lawless <lawless@...> wrote:

> I'm new to the list, and I'm introducing myself--as

> was requested. My name

> is Lawless, and I'm a professor of

> anthropology at Wichita State

> University. My wife is Anita Raghavan, and she is a

> communications

> consultant currently working on setting up the

> annual Asian Festival here

> in Wichita. We have a daughter Sharmini who turned

> seven yesterday, and

> twin boys n and Tavrick who will turn four on

> November 16. Tavrick has

> Down syndrome.

> The boys are a riot together. The first thing n

> asks when he wakes up

> is " Where's Tavrick " (because Tavrick is always

> already awake and having

> breakfast). Tavrick squeals and jumps down from the

> breakfast table when

> n comes into the room, and they have 15 minutes

> of loving each other,

> hugging and kissing and wrestling. They go to

> preschool together in the

> same class. This is a school that integrates

> typically and non-typically

> developing children. n is very, very talkative,

> and Tavrick, who says

> about 25 or so one-syllable words, is very much into

> signing. n

> understands signs, but doens't do much signing back.

> Sharmini, on the other

> hand, is a quite proficient signer.

> Tavrick has no medical difficulties, but he does,

> of course, have low

> muscle tone. Right now we are in the process of

> toilet training Tavrick

> (n is already trained). Tavrick seems to go in

> spirts, and he always

> happily saves a spirt for the toilet, but he also

> always goes in his diaper

> (or pull-up of padded underwear). He seems to go

> about every 30 minutes.

> Does anyone have any suggestions?

> I am also interested in those who have had

> experience with keeping twins

> together--or those who suggest that they be kept

> apart--in kindergarten and

> first grade and so forth.

> <lawless@...>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> http://DSyndrome.com/Multiples

>

<HR>

>

=====

October 15, 1999

Thanks for the welcome. I'm sure we'll have some questions for you. .

At 12:12 PM 10/14/99 -0700, you wrote:

>From: Huckabee <ahuckabee@...>

>

>Hi Anita and ,

> Welcome to the list! I am a special education

>teacher, wife to Garland and mother to Ashton and

>Landon- 16 month old twins and -6 years. We live

>in SC. I hope that you enjoy the list as much as I do.

>Again, welcome to the list.

> mom to Landon (DS) and Ashton -16

>months.

>--- Lawless <lawless@...> wrote:

> > I'm new to the list, and I'm introducing myself--as

> > was requested. My name

> > is Lawless, and I'm a professor of

> > anthropology at Wichita State

> > University. My wife is Anita Raghavan, and she is a

> > communications

> > consultant currently working on setting up the

> > annual Asian Festival here

> > in Wichita. We have a daughter Sharmini who turned

> > seven yesterday, and

> > twin boys n and Tavrick who will turn four on

> > November 16. Tavrick has

> > Down syndrome.

> > The boys are a riot together. The first thing n

> > asks when he wakes up

> > is " Where's Tavrick " (because Tavrick is always

> > already awake and having

> > breakfast). Tavrick squeals and jumps down from the

> > breakfast table when

> > n comes into the room, and they have 15 minutes

> > of loving each other,

> > hugging and kissing and wrestling. They go to

> > preschool together in the

> > same class. This is a school that integrates

> > typically and non-typically

> > developing children. n is very, very talkative,

> > and Tavrick, who says

> > about 25 or so one-syllable words, is very much into

> > signing. n

> > understands signs, but doens't do much signing back.

> > Sharmini, on the other

> > hand, is a quite proficient signer.

> > Tavrick has no medical difficulties, but he does,

> > of course, have low

> > muscle tone. Right now we are in the process of

> > toilet training Tavrick

> > (n is already trained). Tavrick seems to go in

> > spirts, and he always

> > happily saves a spirt for the toilet, but he also

> > always goes in his diaper

> > (or pull-up of padded underwear). He seems to go

> > about every 30 minutes.

> > Does anyone have any suggestions?

> > I am also interested in those who have had

> > experience with keeping twins

> > together--or those who suggest that they be kept

> > apart--in kindergarten and

> > first grade and so forth.

> > <lawless@...>

> >

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > http://DSyndrome.com/Multiples

> >

><HR>

>

> >

>

>=====

>

>>http://DSyndrome.com/Multiples

October 20, 1999

Margi

I take my hat off you! You are so fantastic! I so admire your attitude -

preparing like you are for and I'm so glad that he is doing great!

With a mother like you, he will go on to do brilliantly. I have 2 children

with DS and although they are 1 year apart it's like having twins! Emma and

Nicki are 3 and 2 and loads of fun. They have brought such a great

dimension to me, my husband Tony and our 2 older kids. Although at first I

had a lot of grief, I am coming to realise that all my life I have been

preparing to have them. (I worked with kids with DS and learnt sign language

long before the girls arrived).

I'm not sure where you are from but here in NZ we automatically go onto have

Early Invention from a variety of agencies (they contact us) and a whole

troop of people arrive on your doorstep with their therapy bags - all I had

to do was have the baby!!! I hope all continues to go well and I look

forward to hearing more about you.

Carolyn - mum to Emma 31/2 and Nicki 2 1/2 (both DS) and on 8,

6

Introduction

> From: Zgal@... (Margi Zearley)

>

> Hi, my name is Margi and I'm a 38 yr old SAHM of a 2yr old toddler. I am

> also pregnantwith b/g twins, the boy has been diagnosed with DS via

> amnio. I am at 26 weeks and everything looks very healthy. While the

> news was distressing at first, both my husband and I are preparing to

> welcome our children and the major adjustment 2 babies makes on a life.

> I have been lurking for a while thanks to and have been very

> interested in the variety of topics you discuss. For now, I have a large

> file of DS from the web and try to read as much as possible. I also have

> read the Gunderson book, Parents of Babies with DS. I meet with a rep

> from the Developmentally Disabled dept this week to fill out paperwork.

> What else should I be doing to get ready? What kinds of things do I need

> to do to get ready for an infant with DS? I have taught music for 10 yr

> in the public and private school so working with children with DS is not

> unfamiliar to me, just the raising of them! Thanks for your help in

> advance! Nice to meet you - Margi Z, mom of Donny 2yr and twins yet to

> be, Katrina & (ds) due Jan 12.

>

> > http://DSyndrome.com/Multiples

October 20, 1999

Hi Margi! Welcome to the list! It sounds like you've

really done your research so far. I'm Judi and I have

identical twin boys, Sam & . They're going to

be 3 in Dec. They were born at 26.5 weeks (the dr.

did warn me that twins did sometimes come early, but

this was totally unexpected!). Have you located a

support group in your area? I think you might find

that helpful to you even now. We belong to the Dallas

Down Syndrome Guild and started attending meetings

when the boys were still in NICU. Our group has new

parent coffee's quarterly and lots of expecting

parents have been attending. I found it encouraging

to go to these meetings and see all the kids just

being kids! The next thing I'd advise is finding out

what agency will be providing Early Childhood

Intervention (ECI)services. Sometimes that can be

complicated finding your way thru that maze. That

way, when your children are born and come home, you

can make the call to set up services with out being

put on hold forever or transferred over and over

again. You may have already started when you met

w/the rep from the dev. disabled dept. (it may be

called something other than ECI where you're from). I

wouldn't worry too much about special preparations.

Just enjoy your babies! Having twins is so special!

Judi-Mom to Sam & 33mos. Identical twins

=====

October 20, 1999

Margi Zearley wrote: