New & Expecting Parents

Welcome new and expectant parents. At Ds Connections Nw, we know for a new parent, an unexpected diagnosis can be devastating. A child is born or a prenatal test is given, and the diagnosis returns of Down syndrome. Suddenly, the child you’d dreamed of, anticipated, made plans for, is not the child you have. What now?

First of all…

We have all been sitting where you are now, shaking with unforeseen emotion, our minds swirling with a myriad of questions, demanding answers beyond our immediate reach. Please know, those feelings, emotions and overwhelming thoughts are normal and not unexpected.

Let us assure you, like the parable within “Welcome To Holland,” where you are now may not be where you set out to go, but where you are heading has just as many joys, just as many loving moments, just as much to dream and look forward to as where you originally intended to go. Please browse through the many excellent resources available to you as you discover and learn to navigate your new reality.

With the help of Ds Connections Nw and its parent/members, you can dream new dreams and plan new plans!

We are here for you. We can match you with other parents who have sat where you’re sitting and walked in your shoes. We can refer you to anyone in our network of community based service providers, recommend further resources including books and videos and even deliver a welcome basket full of gifts and resources.