Gifts is a treasure in our community, one which we share with our families. It has touched the lives of new and expectant parents, medical professionals, and beyond. The multiple voices of this book offer a range of emotions, perspectives, and experiences with such pure honesty and courage. The reader will feel the warmth and connectivity of this community, and the gift of knowing that they are not alone. --Sarah Cullen, Family Support Director, Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, Burlington, MAIn our current era where increasingly more couples learn about the diagnosis of Down syndrome prenatally, this incredibly moving 10th anniversary edition of Gifts sends a timeless message: people with Down syndrome are celebrated contributors to their families and communities. --Dr. Brian Skotko, Co-Director, Massachusetts General Hospital Down Syndrome ProgramAbout the AuthorKathryn Lynard is a writer, advocate, consultant, and mother of seven living in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is also the editor of Gifts 2: How People with Down Syndrome Enrich the World, as well as two anthologies about motherhood, and the author of The Year My Son and I Were Born: A Story of Down Syndrome, Motherhood, and Self-Discovery (Globe Pequot Press, 2007). what books are public domain Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives (10th Anniversary Edition)
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Moving and InspirationalBy CustomerAbsolutely phenomenal and beautifully written, inspirational book of essays from mothers with children who happened to be born with Down Syndrome... Many stories included the parents' "shock" after learning of the diagnosis but every story demonstrates the consistent acceptance and love of their beautiful children regardless of the diagnosis. I have identical twins with DS and this book was a bastion of hope amidst many amazingly dismal books about the down-side and "typical" delays my boys would face instead of and the very happy and high-quality life that is possible. Every parent of a child born with Down Syndrome should receive a copy of this book upon the birth of their special child.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Such a beautiful bookBy PoochI am a new(ish) mother of a beautiful little 11 month old baby girl who has down syndrome. I have never been able to finish a book on ds as I always found them upsetting and depressing but this book was quite simply THE most beautiful moving book on the subject I have ever read. As the other reviewers said, I could only read a few stories at a time with a big box of tissues beside me as I inevitably ended up crying, but they were tears of empathy and joy and I felt so lucky proud to have my little princess sleeping in the next room that a few times I almost went in to cuddle her while she was asleep just from reading about the other very special little children. This is an amazing book, I wish I had had it in those first few terrible, bleak, dark months of trying to adjust to her diagnosis. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. You definately NEED to read this book!By Reader BirdThis is an incredibly wonderful collection of personal stories, from families, about their feelings when they were given the diagnosis of Down syndrome. It talks about their vulnerability, tears, fears, grief, and loving acceptance. The stories are remarkably similar in spirit (and similar to my own experiences), yet vastly different in true-life execution. How we react, grieve, and deal with the curve ball of Down syndrome is explored and the reader will laugh, cry, and everything in between; but the outcome is always fantastic. It is a throughly enjoyable and compelling read.