“It is not easy raising a child with Down Syndrome in Dominica.”
This is the cry of Doreen Ashby, a mother of seven, who for the past 20 years has been caring for her daughter with Down Syndrome.
Ashby told Dominica News Online (DNO) that policies should be put in place to protect people with Down Syndrome and to see that they are educated.
“They need to be educated and given opportunities just like all other normal people,” Ashby explained. “It’s just a problem and I have been struggling for years and nobody is listening to me.”
She revealed that her daughter lost all opportunities to be educated at an early age and today it has posed a problem to place her into any program in Dominica.
“My daughter lost all her early age education, her formal education,” she lamented.
Ashby stated that her daughter attended a special education program at the Goodwill Primary School from the age of seven but by the time she was 12, she was out.
“More should be done for persons with Down Syndrome and that is my main challenge,” she said.
She is of the firm belief that all children with all forms of disabilities must be given a “fair chance of education.”
“They are not given a fair chance,” the mother noted. “A child with Down Syndrome need more than just putting a uniform on them and sending them to school. They need teacher assistance; some of them need it on a one-on-one basis. You have to put programs in place, because they are doing Mathematics, Science and French. They are doing all types of things but you have to help them because of their disability.”
She is also calling on Dominicans to play a positive part in the lives of persons with Down Syndrome and wants government to educate students about the condition.
“Talk on their behalf for their education,” she stated. “They must not wait when it come in front their door to start, now is the time we have to talk on their behalf and put things in place.”
Ashby further revealed that she is unable to work because, she said, her daughter needs her protection.
She stated, “I had to raise her in a way because she could not talk. She can speak now, I had to be her speech therapist. I help her and take her to town every day. That is part of my work with her, but she needs more than me because I taught her the basics.”
Although her daughter is well disciplined, Ashby still believes that “she needs to be taught more than that.”
Ashby pointed out that there is lack of protection for children or persons with Down Syndrome in Dominica.
“A lot of abuse is going on out there, sexual, all kinds of abuse…,”she stated. “A child or adult with Down Syndrome will get abused, maybe sexual abuse, where can you go? Everybody will send you to the desk, to the fan and they will send you to the table. They have to put policies in place. They have to implement policies to protect them.”
She pointed out that there are a lot of predators out there ready to prey on the vulnerable.
“The amount of predators and molesters that are out there, you cannot take a chance now,” Ashby explained. “But when they know that there will be laws in place and they know that there are things implemented for them, they have to think twice.”
Ashby said despite her trials, she is proud of her daughter and is amazed at what she is capable of doing.
“She goes to magazines, cuts off her wedding dress, so that means she wants to get married,” she stated.
Her daughter is also familiar with computers, Ashby said.
“I take her to the Café also,” she stated.
Meanwhile; she said, in a quest to sensitize the general public, the 4th World Down Syndrome Day Conference was held under the theme: “My Opportunity, My Choices- Enjoying Full and Equal Rights and the Role of the Family” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on March 20th.
It formed part of World Down’s Syndrome Day which was celebrated on March 21.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability, a characteristic facial appearance, and weak muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy. All affected individuals experience cognitive delays, but the intellectual disability is usually mild to moderate.
People with Down Syndrome may have a variety of birth defects. About half of all affected children are born with a heart defect. Digestive abnormalities, such as a blockage of the intestine, are less common.
Honestly if every human being had down syndrome the world would be a better place ,because i can see only love ,affection and perfection in them…they never hurt ,disturb,lie,kill,rape,steal,nor make fun or bully other people only those that are not born with such a problem are being a disgrace to society ,,God bless every one of them ,they are blessed ,no matter what ;count it as a blessing…
The Alpha Centre, a school for children with special needs, was founded in June 1974. The school has a student population of 37, ranging from age six to 19. There are 11 staff members; nine full-time and two part-time.
I work with individuals with down syndrome and other disabilities; and they are the most caring and loving people; they are also very good at doing things (creative); the people of Dominica need to be educated in accepting people with disability, but when you have politicians making fun of them, what do you expect. My philosophy in life is “Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.” We are all created by God, who are we to make fun of his creation? I applaud this loving mother who brought this issue to the readers attention. God Bless you!
To the one call zeb: I do not waste my time on people I consider to be “a nobody” who are you? You are nothing, if you wish to open you stupid mouth, if you know where on line I got my information from I suggest and I beg of you to go on line copy it verbatim, and post it on DNO so that I can be embarrassed, unless you can do that you need to shut mouth! You do not know me, I doubt you know anybody in my circle, so why run your mouth off on someone you cant describe what they look like?
We Dominicans are disgusting: because you are an uneducated idiot does not mean I am like you; I am a Health Science Major, I do not have a medical degree However, I am medically educated, whatever I you read here regarding the disease came out of a medical institution. Know damn place! As for you Baba I am offended by your stupidity, even if the lady is fully aware of the condition, I am sure you did not know until you read me, why are you so ignorant?
“I am a Health Science Major, I do not have a medical degree However, I am medically educated,”
I simply need to correct this: I intended to say I majored in health science okay?
And I am damn sure I know a lot more medicine than some of those people walking around calling themselves doctor in Dominica.
And if you zeb, and Baba does not know the meaning of someone majoring in health science let it be know that nobody can become a medical doctor, dentist, nurse, physician assistance, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist, without majoring in health science. Maybe in Dominica one can go to the PM hospital spend a few weeks and they are called nurse, that does not happen in the real world I live in.
I have relatives in Canada, who were called nurse in Dominica, but when they went to Canada, they had to go to school and graduate before they could be called nurse in Canada. Today they are head of an intensive care unit in Toronto! Don’t worry about me your jealously cannot…
I read this story and while i empathized with this mom she needs to tell the public the truth. The special education program at the Goodwill primary school was initiated with this child in mine, the school did not push the child out she pulled out the child because she had issues with certain officials of the Ministry of Education. I understand her frustration but while we do have limited resources in Dominica an effort was made to assist the child. the child was not enrollled in the school when she was 7 and removed at 12, The child was enrolled at 12 and spent two terms at the school. There were students who were transferred from the ALpha centre to the special education program at the Goodwill primary school. Doreen i must congratulate for the way you advocate for your child but you need to be honest with the public. Your daughter was evaluated and was sent to the Goodwill Primary school. You pulled out the child. I will agree that much more need to be done for these children
Boy that government pushing sticks in its ears eh!! Is not now I know of a lady that used to call the radio station and cry everyday about her down syndrome child and how the government not helping her situation at all.
Everyone deserves a fair chance in life whatever the condition or situation. It seems like some of us are so caught up with “formal education” that we have become insensitive to the real problems that face our fellowmen. This sister, Ms. Ashby, is not only conveying a message on her daughter’s behalf but for others who are experiencing this situation as well. We should praise her for her audacity and the message that she is sending not only to us in Dominica but to others around the world. The government should really look into this situation and launch/initiate effective programmes that will assist children with this condition. I hope that the message will resonate in the ears of this present administration and some programmes will be on the way to assist families. My sister, I applaud you for your strength and courage and for also making a difference in your daughter’s life. Continue to be strong and lift your voice for what is right.
PEACE
Down syndrome children are very unique, with warm and caring characters. If given the opportunity they can live very productive lives. Every school should be equipped with teachers trained in Special Education with a special Ed classroom with similar kids with mental disabilities. The program should be focused to their learning needs. Sports and other activities should be part of the carriculum, with a work training program geared towards their future. Parents involment should be crucial. An evaluation of each should be individualized with purpose. Social workers should be involved to evaluate their environment. The U.S. Has done a fantastic job in caring for people with disabilities a role model to us. Great job by the parent of this kid a spokes person to the rest of the kid on this Island.
Any nation’s culture can be measured by its investment in the health and well being of its disabled.
Any political party’s worth can be seen in its care of its disadvantaged.
All some politicians care about is winning votes. Every plank in their platform is intended to put them in office or give them another term. Many voters have no interest in an issue unless it affects them directly so these causes are often neglected.
There are matters a Christian should consider at election time. We should care where a candidate stands on the moral issues that affect society, and vote for one whose rule will echo the laws of God. We should also chose one who has compassion for the needy and vulnerable and whose term in office will reflect this.
The Apostle Paul wrote ”Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those who are without strength…” (Romans 15:1)
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
Dear Lady, I empathize with you. It is no easy matter what you are going through. Your concern for your daughter is a genuine one. Given adequate education and training, there is no doubt your daughter could excel in whatever she undertakes to do. I am hoping a government authority in D/ca takes note and something will be done for your daughter and others who have Downs Syndrome.
I know of a family whose sister had the same. They left D/ca. She attended a special school for those as her. She excelled. She conversed intelligently. A well-loved person by her family and all those who knew her. They included her in whatever they did. She had a sense of humor. It was always a pleasure being in her company. Her family is to admired for taking such excellent care of her.
I hope the day will come soon that D/ca will have such a school that your daughter and others as her could attend. May it be very soon.
God bless you and your daughter.
God bless your efforts in making D/cans aware of the necessity of establishing such a school which will benefit others as your daughter. You are to be complimented and thanked.
May your concerns be fruitful. In Jesus Name, I pray.
there is a special school in Dominica … she has advocated i agree and help was given with limited resources but she wanted it on her own terms.
She has such a sweet beautiful well mannered daughter just a pitty Dominica doesn’t have resources to enhance her learning. Doreen pray n pray hard my girl God will answer u when he is ready.
I too would like to get in contact with this lady. I can relate to her story because I have a 16 year old down syndrome child and likewise my country has little resources whether its medical and education for people with learning difficulties. So I made a decision to move to the UK so my daughter can help all the opportunities there is to offer. This was the best decision ever. She was able to attend a regular secondary school with learning support and now is in college in the UK.
I know that not everybody is in a position to travel abroad but if you can ask the Prime Minister or your representative for assistant that you may be able to travel to somewhere close that can offer a better life for your daughter please do so. Also, continue to praying to God he is working it out for you.
hi you can email her on this email address: [email protected]
Some governments are moving forward with help for the parents of down syndrome children. It is time more political parties woke up and smelt the coffee.
Much can be done when it comes to education. In many places the special education teachers are not available. We need to train such teachers. Young people who are considering a career in the helping professions can be encouraged to investigate the possibility of this kind of work. Community colleges and universities need to offer such courses and make them attractive.
Governments should be looking at ways to provide financial help for education, therapy, and medical care.
Baby sitters and care providers with some training who can be trusted could be such a blessing to parents who feel the need to get out by themselves for an evening. Such a program could be provided
and supervised by the government or by a non government organization (NGO.)
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
The greatest hindrance to progress may be ignorance.
With or without down syndrome not every child has the same potential. God has given to each of us the
potential (ability) to become what He intends us to be. The same is true of our children. Each one is of equal value to the Lord. He has a unique purpose for each life.
What some people fail to realize is that many down syndrome children do have the ability to learn more than they are given credit for. Opportunities must be made available for them to reach their fullest potential.
Parents living with this challenge should receive all the help possible from family, friends, and yes – from the government.
Doreen Ashby deserve much appreciation and thanks for speaking out on behalf of down syndrome people, their parents, families, and caregivers.
Doreen, you are a light
to the nation. History will honor you!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
Living in Canada, I have seen people with Down’s Syndrome become productive members of society, able to support themselves. With proper education and protection they are just as capable as anyone else.
Parents of a special needs child should be given the support they require to enable the child to have the best life possible.
Government assistance should be available to parents of a downs syndrome child for the child’s education. Not every downs syndrome child has the same potential. But all should have equal love and care. I strongly believe each child should have an opportunity to reach his or her full potential. The reason I am commenting this way is because I know several cases in Canada where the individuals have done remarkably well and surprised everybody. Both sets of parents were Christians. Prayer and positive thinking played a big part in the children’s upbringing.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
here goes this Francisco Telemaque guy again going on line copying & pasting pretending to know all.
zeb:
How do you know where Franciso gets his information from?
The man is a former medical student
who is knowledgeable.
I do not always agree with everything Francisco says when he expresses an opinion. But I appreciate when he shares knowledge out of his area of expertise and personally I sometimes learn from it. What if he goes to the internet for research and uses that information in his comments? Writers do this all the time.
Everybody has their own style of writing. Name calling should be avoided. Insults are in bad taste. Otherwise let us have a free exchange of thought!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
world down syndrome day was not even recognize in Dominica. smh. I wonder why?
The wheel of the cart that makes the most noise gets the oil.
You should ASK for a Down Syndrome day in Dominica. Make a noise! Write a petition. Get people to sign it. Deliver multiple copies of it to your government offices.
Start NOW for next year!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
This is a lady who has been outspoken on this issue. Unlike some parents who hide their kids with disabilities, her daughter is blossoming into a lovely young lady, so much that she looks more normal than having down syndrome. Job well done Doreen, the good Lord never gives us more than we can bare. Perhaps if she were ok you would have other problems to deal with, so still keep on giving praises in the midst of it all.
I would like to get in touch with this Lady ,if she could send me her mail adres i would be very pleased .I have a daughter 13 years old with down sydrom and thank to God i am living in The Netherlands ,and here she is getting all the help special school ,special medical care and we as parents all the advices we need.
So please if she have a mail adres please .Thanks
hi you can email her on this email address: [email protected]
You never really stop to consider issues like these without it being brought to your attention. I can’t help but feel sympathetic toward this mother. It really is a unique struggle to be facing.
DNO, this article is not to be taken lightly. Great work.
I do not wish to contradict you, and cause you more heartbreak. Nevertheless, Down’s Syndrome children do have a hard time learning. Down’s Syndrome is a congenital condition characterized by physical malformations, and some degree of mental retardation. The disorder was formally known as mongolism because the patient’s facial characteristics those of persons of the Mongolian race.
It is also called trisomy 21 syndrome because the disorder is concerned with a defect in chromosome 21. The cause of Down’s syndrome are not know; there is however, a relatively high incidence in children of mothers who are in the older childbearing age, especially older than 40 years of age. A particular type of Down’s syndrome that occurs in children of younger mothers seems to have a tendency to occur in certain families: this could be hereditary.
The term trisomy refers to the presence of three representative chromosomes in a cell instead of the usual pair; in Down’s syndrome the…
The term trisomy refers to the presence of three representative chromosomes in a cell instead of the usual pair; in Down’s syndrome the twenty-first chromosome pair fails to separate when the germ cell (usually the ovum) is being formed. Thus the ovum contains 24 chromosomes, and when it is fertilized by a normal sperm carrying 23 chromosomes, the child is born with an extra chromosome, or a total of 47 per cell.
Although not all of the physical characteristics of Down’s are always found in a child experiencing from this disorder, there usually is a combination of several of them so that diagnosis at birth can be made without difficulty. These characteristics include a small, flattened skull, a short, flat-bridged nose, wide-set eyes, epicanthus, a protruding tongue that is furrowed, and lacks a central fissure, short, broad hands and feet with wide gap between the first, and second toes, and a little finger that curves inward.
The muscles are hypotonic, and there is…
The muscles are hypotonic, and there is excessive mobility of the joints. The genitalia are often underdeveloped, and congenital heart defects are not uncommon. As these children grow older they remain below average in height, and evidence some degree of mental retardation; there is no cure for Down’s syndrome; depending on the level of intelligence, the child often can be helped to live productively
Sorry Dodds but everything has it’s time and place. We are sure that the lady is fully aware of the nature of her daughter’s condition. Unfortunate that some of us get so caught up in righting wrongs but in so doing end up doing more wrong than right. Time and place for everything.
Exactly what is your point Francisco? did the mother tell you that she did not know what the conditions was? SMH
Thanks for the info. It is a little bit hi tech for the lay man, so please note that for your next postings. Now most people know what the condition is. WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW IS HOW WE CAN ASSIST THESE FAMILIES. You seem to be more learnt than most of us, so any idea of where this lady and others like her could turn to? How about starting a support group with your equally well learnt friends for families living with Down syndrome or mentally challenged children. I could join you, but since you are so well learnt, I look to you for direction MR. Telemacque.
@hisan March 25, 2015
I was thinking the same thing pertaining to the mother “knowing” the condition of her daughter, none of the writings of that person will do nothing for her. It is like speaking to a professional, and all that person does is to tell your what your problem is–not advise you of how to deal with it–which is what you really want to know.
Also I hope that you are being sarcastic with your “well learned concept” pertaining to that individual, even to the point putting the rest of below it; for if that should be true, we are all in trouble; but I am sure that it not true–I have to say this Hehehehehehehehe!
I understand where you coming from Telemaque but that does not mean they should not be given an opportunity. Out of the many there may be one who might prevail. If you had a child with the same condition you would definitely think differently.
A mother will go through hell and back for her child. And it’s about time Dominica start treating people with disabilities differently. They are human beings too, they need a little extra help and with time and love they will prevail.
A Dominican attorney living in New York has a disabled daughter who graduated Howard University as valedictorian and proceeded to law school 2 years ago. It can be done.
“She is also calling on Dominicans to play a positive part in the lives of persons with Down Syndrome and wants government to educate students about the condition.”(Ashby).
To the “Baba” the quote above is I extract from the author, her wish is that government should educate students about the condition. I know plenty about Down’s syndrome, I put it out there for no other reason than to educate. You Baba may not appreciate what you read nevertheless it might help some people even a premed student.
Jenn I am not suggesting anyone give up, if you read me carefully at the very end I said with help such people can live productive lives. I can speak from experience, on my Antigua side of the family, I had an aunt who gave birth to a child with Down’s syndrome, she lived into her early sixties, and always needed help with everything. Worrying about the descriptive nature of the disease is important.
Thank you for this comment.
Not every case is so dramatic. But there are other success stories.
I personally know two young men in Canada who are downs syndrome individuals. I knew the parents of both. No medical hope was offered to the parents that they would improve. Getting even a little education was almost impossible due to a lack of proper teachers and the needed special facilities.
However, both set of parents were Christians. They understood that every child is special to Him, and HE has a plan and purpose for each life. They were able to commit their children to God and rest secure in His love. Gradually, they could see that prayer was prevailing!
Both these men became top sales clerks in big retail stores. As far as I know they are still working.
Our governments should do more to assure that down syndrome children receive all the help they need to reach their full potential. Maybe they need to be lobbied!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International…
I do not wish to dig too much, but you did not say what disability his daughter has. I know lots of people who has disabilities, and graduate college and university also. Some of the worlds greatest scientist has disabilities. Yours truly, Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque has disabilities, as a matter of fact I have three!
I am diabetic, I was born with a bad heart, the first time it stopped beating I was seven (7) years old! I had an accident where a dynamite exploded in my hand causing the amputation of two fingers on my right hand; in spite of that I’ve lived a full and normal life. The great Albert Einstein had a mental disability, yet he was the smartest scientist to date: one who could not tie his shoe laces, yet he developed the formula E=MC Square, I am not getting into that but most people endowed with higher learning in physics, chemistry and other upper level math knows what that means; so it depends on the nature of the disability.
Well said! We need more people to come out and speak on the issues surrounding children/people with Down Syndrome!
Wonderful article DNO… Everything this lady spoke out is true. More things should and can be done for people living with Down Syndrome. Especially for children… They should be given an opportunity to attend school and know what its like to be among others just like them without the fear of judgment or stares.