Doctors For "Our" Kiddos

One of the best things that you can do for your child is find someone that knows what you are dealing with.  Chances are that person is not at your local pediatricians office.  We have an amazing pediatrician and we are very blessed with her support, but even she admits that she is not a specialist on Down syndrome-and I do not expect her too be.  As my children's mother it is my job to be their expert.  When I need guidance I research what I can and present my findings to the professionals.

You will hear a lot of people say...."don't worry just treat them like the rest of your children".  This statement is partially true in my opinion.  We most certainly treat Emma like the rest of our kids. She enjoys all the same things our other kids do.  She plays dress up, she sings and dances, she climbs and slides, she has fits and gets in trouble like the rest of our kids do.  She goes to Mother's Day Out just like the other kids did, and she does all the other countless things our other kids do or did.  She also has 8 therapy sessions a week, hypothyroidism, cardiologist visits once a year, orthodontist appointments at the age of 2, labs drawn every 3 months, has a restricted diet and is on a  neurodevelopmental program unlike the rest of our kids. With that said...Emma's life will always be a little different than theirs.  Because of the 21st chromosome it is very important that Emma gets bio medical support.  We believe that we have to have someone that understands exactly what Down syndrome is and how we can help Emma's body function at it best.

There are not a lot of physicians that truly understand this about our kids, so I have decided to compile a list of ones that I feel are good choices.  Because we use Erica Peirson I will start with her.  Our appointments with Dr. Peirson are done via Skype.

Erica Peirson, ND

2161 NE Broadway St.
Portland, OR 97232
drpeirson@gmail.com

www.downsyndrometreatment.net



Norm Schwartz, MD
Ph: 414 351 5772
Fax: 414 351 5760
4200 W. Good Hope Road
Milwaukee, WI 53209 USAinfo@inwellnesstoday.com
www.inwellnesstoday.com



David Berger, MD, FAAP
3405 W. Fletcher Ave

Tampa, FL 33618

(813) 960-3415
http://www.wholisticfamilycare.com/



The Franz Center
3160 Southgate Commerce Bld. #64
Orlando FL 32806
Answers@DrCorneliaFranz.com
Phone 407-857-8860
Fax 407-857-7099
http://drcorneliafranz.com/joomla/



(for thyroid)
Raphel Kellman, MD
150 East 55th Street, 6th floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 717-1118
http://raphaelkellmanmd.com/

Recognize the value of biomedical treatment of children and adults with Down syndrome Please sign.
https://www.change.org/petitions/down-syndrome-specialty-clinics-recognize-the-value-of-biomedical-treatment-of-children-and-adults-with-down-syndrome

4 Gen Farm

 

One thing that we say time and time again....EAT LOCAL.

 

 

 

Our lives revolve around food. We nourish our bodies with it, but we also celebrate, entertain and express affection with it. So it’s no surprise that we all want the healthiest, freshest, best-tasting food. To serve the best—and trigger other positive effects on the economy, the soil, wildlife and the welfare of those who raise what we eat—here are 8 reasons to shop for local foods:

1. It’s better for everyone’s bottom line When we shop for local foods, we get the satisfaction of knowing that we are contributing to our local communities and economies. For example, research out of Brock University suggests $3 billion would be added to the local economy if 5 million Ontarians spent $10 of their grocery budget on local foods each week. You don’t always spend more to shop for local food; in some cases it can cost less because in-season foods are generally cheaper and travel costs are minimized. 
2. It supports the future of farming The stronger our local farmer gets, the more we ensure local goods can be grown and raised for generations to come.
3. It promotes biodiversity Our demand for local food creates greater variety. Farmers who run community-supported agriculture programs, sell at farmers’ markets and provide for local restaurants have the support they need to raise more types of produce and livestock than multinational commercial enterprises looking to squeeze every dollar out of one type of crop.
4. It promotes cultural diversity Many local farmers are growing varieties of “culturally diverse” ingredients locally so traditional recipes from different heritages can still be honored and prepared—fresh—close to home.
5. It empowers consumers Shopping locally gives us a chance to engage our growers directly. Building a relationship with farmers is fun—who doesn’t love a trip to the farmers’ market! We get to learn something new about our food, including when the freshest produce is in-season. And we are reassured when we ask growers directly about sustainable production, including whether pesticides are used. It’s important to ask about growing practices because buying local does not automatically mean the food is sustainably produced.
6. It promotes a greater sense of family When we buy local foods, we are encouraged and inspired by our food. Who doesn’t spy a brimming basket of apples and think, “homemade apple pie!” We hit the kitchen, whipping up favorite family recipes and applying our creative juices. And then, we get to savor the bounty with loved ones, enjoying the experience slowly, talking about the effort and the end result (rather than wolfing down pre-made reconstituted food with the TV on!).
7. It boosts our well-being Of course, when local foods are grown sustainably, using humane animal practices and without pesticides and chemical fertilizers, we can also be confident that our food is healthier and environmentally friendly. So every time you buy food grown in your region, you can feel good knowing you are making a difference.
8. It tastes better! Finally, local foods taste better because they are in-season, recently harvested and didn’t have to travel far to get to our plates.

http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/benefits-buying-local-food

 

Here is a great farm that was recommended by someone that we trust.

 

4 Gen Farm is your local source of tasty, wholesome food for your family. Know where your food comes from!

 

 

 

 

 

Know where your food comes from!

 Know your farmer!

 

 They are 4 generations working together, working with the land, and natural relationships (soil enrichment, water, animals, companion plants) in a transparent, responsible, trustworthy manner to provide wonderful, tasty, clean, nutritious food for local families.

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

Phone:  (743) 439-7674

https://www.facebook.com/4genfarms

kir@4genfarms.com

 

Get Directions:

Milan, Michigan 48160

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!!!

 

 

Annual Balloon Release
3.21.2014

 

 

 

 

Each year our Down syndrome families meet for a balloon release in honor of all our Down syndrome darlings.  This is the second year and we had an amazing time.  We are so blessed to have such support.  I love watching what God is doing in Arkansas.

 

 

 

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24

 

 

 

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:4     

 

 

 

 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13    

 

 

 

 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5

 

 

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

 

 

 

 

 

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!   

Psalm 98:4

 

 

 

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 5:20     

 

 

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 106:1

 

 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, +the fruit of the womb a reward. 

Psalm 127:3

 

 

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 

2 Corinthians 9:15     

 

 

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  

Romans 15:2

 

 

 

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 

Colossians 1:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 

Jeremiah 29:11

 



 

 

For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.  

Psalm 33:21

 

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.  

Psalm 71:23

 

 



 

 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song

I give thanks to him. 

Psalm 28:7

 

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.  

Acts 2:28

 

 



 

 

Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5:8

 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.   

John 15:12-13

 



“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.  

John 14:12-14     

 



And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:14



 

And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:18     

Let all that you do be done in love.   

1 Corinthians 16:14

 

 



A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.   

John 13:34

 



So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.   

1 Corinthians 13:13

 

 



Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

1 John 4:11

 



 

 

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  

Galatians 5:14     

 

 

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!   

1 Chronicles 16:34   

  

 



“For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.  

2 Samuel 22:50     

 

 



 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

 

 

 

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Philippians 4:1

 

 

 

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 118:24     

 

 

  “Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently, nor in time past, nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” And the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” Exodus 4:10-12



Homemade videos to teach everything

 

I recently completed our 4th homemade video to help teach our 2 1/2 year old daughter who has Down syndrome. This method is effective for so many things, so I thought I would share it. My 2 and 4 year old daughters enjoy watching television, but they are usually only allowed to watch learning type shows or DVD's. I thought I would take this genuine interest and use it to my benefit.

The videos I make are a combination of Your Baby Can Read (which is like Rosetta Stone for kids) and Your Child Can Discover, Brillkids, Brainy Baby videos, Baby Babble  and Watch Me Learn. They include video modeling, which is a visual teaching method that occurs by watching a video of someone modeling a targeted behavior or skill and then imitating the behavior/skill watched. Presley likes to toss things off the table, so I put several "on the table" clips in the video with plenty of praise. I continue to reinforce sight word recognition and explanations by saying flashcards in short bursts and reading books. I do songs and phrases with anticipated words that Presley likes, such as "Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you _______" and Presley says "are" and we continue to pull words out of her as we go through the entire song. Also, ready, set, ______ and she makes her sound for "Go" each time. She has participated more actively in the conversations after beginning the videos. I want my daughter to know how to say "I love you" and know that she is very loved, so there are many times it is said and displayed. She leans over to hug and kiss me and say "mmuwah" each time she sees it on the screen.

I originally taught both my girls sight word recognition. After they had a grasp of words have meaning, I added some phonics. Presley is a very physical little girl, she walked and climbed early for DS, so speech was on the back burner for her. She can read over 150 words, knows her colors, shapes, numbers, and the alphabet with letter recognition and sound them out phonetically. However, talking has not flowed as quickly. To encourage talking, I made this video using the CVCS speech words with a close up of my mouth for imitation purposes. Presley is a very visual learner (as most children are with special needs), so saying it to her over and over did nothing. I had my 4 year old do what comes naturally for her, to be silly in front of the camera to explain each word immediately after I said it.

We had fun taking photos to teach emotions and presented it three different ways within this last video. I also had my older daughter show how fun sequencing could be by using the Simply Smarter app (http://nacd.org/family/apps.php) and identifying different body parts. Also, what looks like two little girls just playing, is actually two girls learning and following directions, which will help improve sequencing.

Suggestions you can accomplish:

* teaching the alphabet letters, numbers, colors, shapes
* teaching sight words or phonics
* displaying positive behaviors that you want to promote (exclude the negative ones) and show the praise that follows
* teaching emotions or feelings
* how to react in certain situations and for social interactions
* sequencing and following directions
* enunciation of proper speech sounds or words
* Teach them to properly clean or pick up their room, show them what you mean when you say to clean their room
* Teach sounds of things like birds, trains, cars, airplanes, etc...
* Teach songs and children's games like Ring Around the Rosy, Wheels on the Bus, etc...
* Show family members in loud rooms and how they remain calm and socially interactive or someone getting into an elevator and pushing buttons if your child is bothered by situations like these
* Reading books
* Concepts such as in, out, up, down, on, off, above, below, etc...
* Teach the five senses, days of the week, months of the year, seasons
* Addition/subtraction

We used Windows Live Movie Maker to make these videos. These homemade videos are really a family event as each family member is always in the video. It reinforces positive behaviors that are seen as well as positive feedback that they can see and hear over and over. It shows children it is ok for both children and adults to be silly. They have fun making it, and they LOVE watching themselves be the star of the show later. You will enjoy not having to repeat certain things numerous times, because they will see it on the video. You can slip serious learning in between the fun clips and they keep their eyes on the screen knowing the next clip features them. I hope this inspires you and helps your child accomplish new and great things. Good luck and happy learning! Blessings, Robin

Here is a link to our latest video about emotions, following directions, and speech sounds:

 

Here is a previous video to learn concepts such as in, out, on, off, above and more:

Here we were teaching colors and reading sight words with left over party balloons:

Here is Presley going through a book I made her of words I know she can say:

Here is Payton reading to Presley. Payton made up her own version of "Pete the Cat and his four buttons".