Dear Past Generation Mom: who wished she had aborted her son with Down's syndrome

The following was written after an article that appeared in the Daily Mail this week that came with the designed to shock-and-divide headline 'I Wish I'd Aborted the Son I've Spent 47 Years Caring For'.

Rather than lashing out at the mother speaking in the piece, I felt I needed rather to consider the times her son was born in,  her state of mind, and instead question the journalism at work which contained no regard for the voice of the man at the centre of the article which was clearly advising abortion.

Families in the 60s had a much tougher battle than we do today, and many many mums and dads and siblings were, and still are, incredible pioneers. I think this woman's opinions, which were later aired on Loose Women, are thankfully rare.

The following is written to a woman like the one the article portrayed, one who became bitter through lack of support. 

She is in no way like any of the parents of that generation that I am blessed to have met and follow in the footsteps of. Parents, and siblings I count as guides and support, such as Mardra Sikora, Sue Bessell and Elizabeth Corcoran.

Kristian Naylor writes about his Uncle Martin

Dear past generation Mum, 
(who wished she had aborted her son with Down's syndrome),

I note with respect the hurdles you have faced. 

Twinkl, you little star! Free Learning Resources




I use a variety of learning resources when helping Natty with homework, when we used to hem school and when simply helping her learn about the world around her. 


Natty, like many children with Down's syndrome is a visual and a kinesthetic (actions) learner, so colourful and interesting visual resources that capture her interest are key.

One of my favourite sites is Twinkl.
If you are a teacher you will already be using their 93,000 lovely and unique teaching resources' daily, but you might not be familiar with them as a parent.

Erma Bombeck: The Special Mother


Erma Bombeck's piece 'The Special Mother'


Many people say that 'special children are only born to special parents', or those that are strong enough to cope

Others assert that 'special babies choose their parents carefully'. 


Maybe this is said to boost us, or make us feel we can deal with what life throws at us, but sadly I've heard enough stories about children with disabilities in my time who are unloved, unwanted or maltreated to be rather suspicious of either of these statements.

Get Rid of Mucus: 5 Easy Tricks To Beat Catarrh Naturally!

Please welcome dear friend and naturopath Sarah Murphy from Alchemilla Apothecary for today's snot-busting guest post.



5 Tips to beating mucus and catarrh naturally


You’ve turned the heating on and we're hurtling towards hats, wellies and gloves weather. Yep, we are in the midst of the cold season…. Here's how to help you child battle the mucus and catarrh.

My Story of Mum #SoMum

The wonderful Pippa at Story of Mum is asking us all to join her in thinking about our identity as women and mothers with her online and travelling exhibition. 

You can join online or go to an exhibition near you. Here's my video talking about my journey into motherhood.


I recently met a wonderful group of women for an uplifting evening that fed my soul, as we shared our stories, hopes, fears, dreams, guilts, sadnesses and envies, and remembered who we were at the core of our beings. 

Yes, there were tears. But there were giggles, smiles and enough love to go around the world too.

Netbuddy create new online Scope community

We've always loved Netbuddy, (not least because they have FABULOUS taste in models daaaarling), but because they were my one stop shop for those Natty-is-driving-me-to-distraction-by-refusing-to-let-me-brush-her-hair moments we all have.

Well, they are still just as fabulous, but they are now going to be hosted under the Scope umbrella. Same great support, new home.

Netbuddy are to become part of a new Scope online community

Want a tip? Check out Scope’s new online community

I Love You Natty: An Important Book Announcement/ Giveaway

We nervously launched our little book, written by our eldest daughter Mia, into the big wide world just under 6 months ago.


'A simply beautiful and touching account. 
I wish this book had been around when my daughter was born.'

'Every parent and medical professional should read 
this true story of life with Trisomy 21.'

'Educational and full of love, this book shows how 
the family have adapted and carried on.'


I Love You Natty: A Sibling's Introduction to Down's syndrome


'Downs Side Up is a campaign blog to watch' 
The Financial Times newspaper


We have been humbled and astonished at the response to the sibling introduction to Down's syndrome:

  • I Love You Natty has been shipped to every corner of the globe.
  • It has featured in numerous magazines and newspaper articles and has been reviewed by major charities, such as the DSA who gave it 99*
  • Natty took a copy onto the ITV Lorraine Show.
  • Proud owners of the sibling introduction to Down's syndrome include: Lorraine Kelly, Norman Lamb MP, CBeebies Dr Ranj, Prof Nikolaides of Harley Street, Fiona Bruce MP, oh, and Prof Richard Dawkins (well, he needed a little educating).
  • Copies can be found in Oxford and Cambridge University Libraries, The Houses of Parliament, The Department of Health, school classrooms, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the bookshelves of a house just like yours.
  • Bloggers such as Honest Mum have reviewed and run competitions.
  • We have donated over 100 books to various organisations, supporters and parents. 
  • It is now stocked in Waterstones and Sainsbury's Cornwall, as well as Amazon UK.
  • Feedback has been 5* from all who have purchased it. 
  • Youngsters with Down's syndrome say they adore the pictures and some children ask for it to be read to them every day.
  • We were very excited to do our first book signing in Waterstones over the Summer and another one is planned for nearer Christmas. 

Natty reads her I Love You Natty to Lorraine Kelly in the green room before gowing on the ITV Lorraine Show


And we are very proud to announce that we have finally covered our creation and printing costs, (phew!). It was a risk but we've done it.

We are now able to think about funding a reprint and making some minor amendments. We are very excited to now also be able to offer the book to charities, support groups and organisations wishing to sell them on. 

So if you would like to stock I Love You Natty or review a copy on your blog please do get in touch. 
For retailer costs contact me via downssideup@gmail.com

Thank you all for your immense support getting this project off the ground. I believe so passionately that such a book is needed, as it was exactly what we sought for Mia after Natty's arrival.

In the meantime we would like to celebrate by giving away 1 copy per week of I Love You Natty during October which is Down Syndrome Awareness Month #DSAM2014

You can enter below for your chance to win.

(Week 1 - Winner was Becky Smith)






#TeamT21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month Linky #DSAM2014

Add your Down syndrome blog posts for #DSAM2014 




Welcome to the October Team T21 Linky dear Down syndrome bloggers. 
What a wonderful month it has been for our team, with positive media articles left right and centre,

20 Disability Quotes That Will Change Your Thinking




So very often we think we understand what a particular disability means, or how it feels to walk in another's shoes. We make judgements on what constitutes a good quality of life and apportion pity where we deem it to be required, all too readily.

The following quotes, compiled by Firefly, might just challenge the way you perceive disability and those who live with it.



"Disability is not a brave struggle or 'courage in the face of adversity.' Disability is an art. It's an ingenious way to live."
Neil Marcus