Group Homes, Passing on DS, BoystoMen

January 12, 2008

Wow, just starting to have time to actually read this thread and what a great

day for me to jump back into the fray!

Our son, , is now 13, uses a ChatPC and loves it, and is just starting to

get the mustache thing happening. I have learned that hormones not only affect

physical growth and mood swings, but that " I can do it myself " impulse really

takes off, also!

Ok, group homes- I completely agree with the sentiment of our kids living with

others they are comfortable with and friends with..and who will those people

likely be? We all group according to who we get along with the best,..so I have

none, zero, zip, nada problem with the whole " like developmental level " grouping

together. I mean, really, how many of us at 18 would have wanted to rooom with

50 year olds, and how many of us would now like to have 18 year old roommates?

How many of you have gathered a " group of like-minded " parents to begin the

whole working together on an " Group Home/Supported Living " arrangement? I now

have 3 like-minded Moms ready to get to work learning and doing in the Fall for

our various 13 year olds. We are going to start with taking some Regional Center

classes for this sort of thing. I live in the SF Bay area..wanna come?

Next, Passing on DS..unless I misunderstood, I think somebody said that DS

cannot be " passed on " . Like all genetic issues, it absolutely can be passed on

by a woman who has DS. If I misunderstood, ( which I probably did since I just

read the latest post on it), and the question was more about can a sibling of a

kid with DS " pass on " DS..depends on the cause of the DS in the sibling. In my

case, it is was probably related to the translocated chromosome I have. Before

was born, nobody thought translocations increased the risk of trisomy.

After he was born, the data came out that translocations increase trisomy risk

up to 30% of all pregnancies in a woman with a translocation. So, the end of the

story is that if another " normal " child also has the translocation, then in a

sense, yes, the DS risk can by " passed on " . My brother, it turns out, had the

same translocation I had, and they decided to not risk pregnancy since they

don't abort. 30% risk was just too high of a

risk.

Last, it gladdens my heart to hear a teen male with DS and Autism can tolerate

being shaved! I am dreading the day we start that, and debating whether or not

we try depilatories or laser or something instead. Having never had either one,

I have no clue if they hurt or not. Once I find out, I will let you know the

end of the story.

thanks

ine

wrote:

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January 12, 2008

Hi ine,

I probably never welcomed you to the group. Seems, I can't seem to remember. I

have a sister in Danville. Would love to join you in Ca but unfortunately dh

wouldn't be too keen on my flying across the country. I am just starting to

think about my son and his adult years. I am late bloomer. I said just think. I

have enough on my plate just trying to get him an education without dwelling on

who, where and how of his adult life. I have decided that I will apply for

conservator not guardianship but not to say that I may change my mind when the

time comes. I would like him to have the option to make decisions in his life.

My older kids offered to help with his finances. They were always good at

spending my money,LOL. A few years ago Zeb would have never considered using a

shaver. It seemed like he just matured with his body. I have no difficulties in

that area. I think my oldest son gave me more problems when it came to looking

presentable. Time hasn't changed his habits. I am

still harping on the haircuts and his choices of clothes. I barely have to

remind Zeb.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 15 DS/OCD/ASD?

ine Navarro wrote:

Wow, just starting to have time to actually read this thread and what a great

day for me to jump back into the fray!

Our son, , is now 13, uses a ChatPC and loves it, and is just starting to

get the mustache thing happening. I have learned that hormones not only affect

physical growth and mood swings, but that " I can do it myself " impulse really

takes off, also!

Ok, group homes- I completely agree with the sentiment of our kids living

with others they are comfortable with and friends with..and who will those

people likely be? We all group according to who we get along with the best,..so

I have none, zero, zip, nada problem with the whole " like developmental level "

grouping together. I mean, really, how many of us at 18 would have wanted to

rooom with 50 year olds, and how many of us would now like to have 18 year old

roommates?