Caroline Playle Reviews Resource for New Parents: Down's Syndrome

Review of Talking About Downs Syndrome Cards

2015 / Lisa Warner 

I’m excited to share this lovely review with you all of Hayley Goleniowska’s Talking About Down’s Syndrome Conversations for New Parents by Caroline Playle.

Caroline Playle is a Mum to three children. One of whom has Down’s Syndrome. When Seb was born she was shocked to be told he had Down’s syndrome. She knew nothing about the condition, aside from outdated assumptions and stereotypes, and was full of unnecessary fear of what the future had in store for her family.

The reality could not be further from that vision. Caroline and her family lead a typical life together, facing the same joys, wonders, challenges and experiences as any family. Caroline started sharing snapshot’s of their lives together to show that Seb is a typical six year old who attends mainstream school, loves reading, football, chips and ice-cream and hates having his hair washed. Caroline shares that her son is a reflection of his family and upbringing, he is not a list of characteristics in a textbook and he is more like their family than anyone else with an extra chromosome 21 . 

What I love instantly about these new Fink Cards is their simplicity. The bold, confident colours and clear font makes them very approachable.

When I was told my baby had Downs Syndrome I threw myself into researching the condition. It was utterly overwhelming, so much information to take in at the same time as becoming a new parent. These Fink cards are absolutely perfect, they are beautifully concise and the card format means they can be taken in small chunks and you choose when and what feelings you wish to explore as and when you feel ready to take on more information. Plus we all know that talking helps with coming to terms with an out of the blue diagnosis. These cards encourage talking in a really gentle way. I can imagine these being so useful at support groups of parents with new babies, getting to know one another and sharing their experiences.

Best of all these cards are about YOU, YOUR baby and YOUR feelings. They are not telling you what will or will not happen, they are not filling your thoughts with all sorts of scenarios that may never come to fruition and they are not limiting your child or your child’s ability. This for me is the genius part of the idea. These cards allow you to explore your thoughts whilst keeping the focus on you and your child and not anyone else with Down’s syndrome.

My biggest regret when I was told my son had an extra chromosome 21was wrongly seeing him as “Down’s syndrome” instead of seeing him as my son. These cards will go a long way to allowing parents to take on board how they are feeling and where they are heading without the unnecessary fear and pressure of a stereotypical idea of what they might otherwise have thought lay ahead. I have no doubt this resource will go a long way to making sure new parents facing a diagnosis don’t miss out on precious, early moment by fearing an outdated or unknown future.

A really fantastic resource for any new parents faced with a recent diagnosis, their families, and medical and health professionals. I have even found them useful in exploring my own feelings, 7 years down the line!

For more information about Caroline please visit her Blog or find her on Twitter and Facebook.

You can order sets of the conversation cards direct from Fink, priced £14.99.

Resource for New Parents: Talking About Down's Syndrome

National Portage Association Back New Resource

Fink Card Review by Kerry Bailey of the National Portage Association 

Talking About Down’s Syndrome: Conversations for New Parents by Hayley Goleniowska and Fink Cards

Talking About Down's Syndrome: Conversations for New Parents

I was honoured and delighted to be asked to review the new fink conversation cards Talking About Down’s Syndrome, Conversations with Parents written by Hayley Goleniowska.

"Q: How did you celebrate your baby's arrival?"

Fink Cards Enable Attitudinal Change and Positive Practices - Jim Blair Consultant Nurse reviews.

Talking About Down’s Syndrome – Conversations for New Parents 

By Hayley Goleniowska (2015)

published by Fink Cards ISBN 978-1-909002-29-6 price £18.99  Order directly from fink cards or call 01872 211782. Also available from Amazon.

Reviewed By Jim Blair, Consultant Nurse Intellectual (Learning) Disabilities at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Associate Professor Intellectual (Learning) Disabilities at Kingston and St.George’s Universities & Health Advisor British Institute of Learning Disabilities

‘Congratulations on the birth of your new baby.’ 

is the emphatic welcome message from Hayley to other parents of newly diagnosed babies with Down’s syndrome. Sadly all too often these are not the words that health professionals utter when giving news to parents that their child has Down’s syndrome. The reality is it is only an extra chromosome, so keep calm and carry on, yet society still conjures up images, visions and a future of little or no hope, worth or purpose for those individuals with Down’s syndrome. How very wrong that is.

Talking About Down's Syndrome - Conversations for New Parents

I am more than just a smidgen excited to be sitting writing this blog post next to a cardboard box brimming with colourful, shiny, inviting packs of cards. The cards are not part of a game. There's no element of snap, no quiz questions. There is no competition or race against time.

The Fink conversation cards are bright and inviting

Tell Your Children Together

Many parents worry about how they should tell their children that they divorcing. My advice is always that you should tell your children together. You may not have felt very united recently but for the sake of your children sit down together and plan what you want to say to them and offer them some simple reassurances as this is an important moment in their lives.

Talking about Down's Syndrome - Conversations for New Parents by Fink Cards

Our powerful little cards are ready to pre-order here now, for shipping on World Down Syndrome Day, 21st March 2015. 

Talking About Down’s Syndrome

January 30, 2015  Lisa Warner 

Conversations For New Parents Is On The Cards

A couple of weeks ago I met a woman who was so passionate about changing the way the world views Down’s Syndrome I asked her if she would consider writing a pack of Fink cards to help new parents talk through their feelings and concerns after a new diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome.

I am absolutely ecstatic she said YES!!!

So it is with great pleasure that I can announce, Hayley Goleniowska from Downs Side Up is going to author Talking About Down’s Syndrome – Conversations for New Parents.

Hayley is a Mum who is passionate about inclusion and changing the way the world views Down’s syndrome. Her youngest daughter has the condition, but she doesn’t let that define her.

In addition to her hugely successful blog Downs Side Up and the beautiful book she co-authored with her daughter Mia, Hayley also works with medical professionals to improve the support that parents receive following a diagnosis, whether it be during pregnancy or after birth.

Talking About Down’s Syndrome – Conversations for New Parents will help separate the facts from the myths about Down’s Syndrome and help families get the early support they need.

Not only am I excited to announce that it is going to happen – but we are going to pull out all the stops to launch on 21st March in time for World Down’s Syndrome Day.

View the full range of Fink cards here.

Talking about Down's Syndrome: Conversations for New Parents
is on the cards with Fink cards