Combow's of Kentucky: Gabriel

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Gabriel

This is our foreign exchange student from Germany. Gabriel is 17 and enjoys fencing and playing musical instruments. His favorite American foods are spaghetti and lasagna and the one thing he really wants to see while in America is an American Indian. I told him they are "out West." But he is excited that Pauina's boyfriend, Zach, has native American in his heritage. For now, Zach will have to do!
Gabriel goes to school Mon-Thur in Bowling Green then goes on trips on Friday's. Yesterday he visited Louisville seeing the Slugger Factory and a Kentucky Derby site. He said the room he was in costs $15,000. 00 a day during the Derby, lucky for him it was free the day he visited.
One of his favorite movies is Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and he would like some Willie Wonka Chocolate. I am currently searching for that.
Gabriel is a very polite young man, cleans up after himself and offers to help me with whatever I am doing. I am currently thinking of trading one of my children for him. Think his parents would notice?
He will be with us for 3 more weeks then on to him permanent host family for the school year.

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I Never Told My Son He Couldn't Dance

A Baby Is A Baby First

There is nothing quite like a baby…there's a lurch in the heart when we touch the beginning of a life in the small person of an infant. For some parents, the lurch is made more poignant, even painful, by the fact of their baby's diagnosis of Down syndrome.Recently, I've had the great pleasure of holding a number of soft, beautiful babies who have Down syndrome. Their parents want to find out what it all means, what they can do, what to think about the future. The first professionals to talk to the parents of babies with Down syndrome tend to discuss the differences parents may see, difficulties babies will encounter. Armed with information about what milestones their child may not reach, what problems she may have, what services they should obtain to avoid potential problems, new parents want to help their babies as soon as possible. So they come to me (and to numerous others) to get this help…to find therapy, activities, and solutions to problems that may or may not exist.We just don't know, at an early age, in exactly which ways Down syndrome may affect a child. She may be really good at cognitive activities, but have significant delays in movement… thereby falling behind her peers in playground and paper-and-pencil activities. He may be fairly good at gross motor, excelling in sports. Ocular control may be an area of need, or may be perfect. Language may be good, or may need lots of work. However, one thing we know for certain… babies don't deal with these things no matter what their chromosomes look like. They lie down and expect to be carried, cuddled, talked to, fed and generally catered to. They learn they are lovable, cute, and the center of the universe. They begin to know who their family members are, and who is the soft touch in the house in the middle of the night.If these adorable creatures have Down syndrome they are at risk for certain physical and cognitive delays. It behooves parents to keep an eye open for problems that could arise. It's important that they know something about their child's diagnosis so that they can be alert and helpful. But my belief is that the most important things that parents of babies with Down syndrome can do are exactly those things that all parents do. You know: they cuddle, feed, sing and love. Not the kind of things you need a Developmental Therapist for… or any other therapist, for that matter.I want to be clear. Young children with Down syndrome often show delays that need to be remedied so that these kids can be happy with themselves and do their very best. Very young babies with Down syndrome have specific concerns about early development. And doubtless, parents will find themselves driving this child about for ear infections, speech therapy, developmental evaluations, etc. But the main advice I have for parents of new babies with Down syndrome boils down to this:You have a beautiful new baby.There will be some areas that need work, but what you have right now IS PRECIOUS AND PERFECTLY RIGHT.
Kate Sefton, Master Developmental Therapist

Combow's of Kentucky

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Gabriel

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I Never Told My Son He Couldn't Dance

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