BBC1 Documentary with Sally Phillips Examines Down's Syndrome Screening

We are proud to have played a small part in this forthcoming important programme.

BBC One announce documentary examining Down’s Syndrome screening

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8TH MARCH 2016 BY Lisa McGarry

Flashmob celebrations in London with Sally Phillips

Dragonfly has been commissioned by BBC One to produce a one-hour documentary that explores the impact of a new screening test that is said to detect Down’s Syndrome in 99% of pregnancies.

Saying goodbye to the year with gratitude: Remembering the greatest gift of all

Christmas is a time for us, a time to simply be, to enjoy and remember. A time for gratitude, and for us, a time to recall receiving the greatest Christmas gift ever.

Family Downs Side Up (I'm behind the camera)

My fingers can never quite manage to meet the keyboard, to tap out those precious memories to share in blog form. So many posts in my head but once in a while it's important to pull the online plug and focus solely on family.

This December, as always, my mind turned to our wonderful medical saviours over and over again. From the time of Natty's birthday on the 6th December until the anniversary of the day we were allowed to bring her home from the neo-natal unit on Christmas Eve, 8 years ago, I slip constantly into an emotional reverie. 

With Love to our NHS Learning Disability Nurses: #PHPCYPweek

Head of Public Health Nursing, Viv Bennett has asked me to write a piece for the NHS to raise the profile of a range of children's health issues. The aim of this Population Health Practice for Children and Young People #PHPCYPweek is to celebrate good practice, motivate and enthuse professionals.

Natty celebrates #PHPCYPweek

Natty had keyhole heart surgery when she was two years old, and more recently underwent a tonsillectomy. The medical angels who have helped us along our journey will forever be in our debt, but it is the role of the little known Learning Disability Nurses that I have chosen to focus on for this piece.

Looking rather 'Natty' in her new specs

It really was time to look for glasses suitable for a child with Down's syndrome. 

Yes, I admit it, I have been putting off getting Natty's first pair of glasses. I wasn't convinced by the initial hospital prescription as he reads well and can see the board at school quite happily.

So we sought a second opinion and, although the prescription is slight, it was felt that Natty's eyes might get less tired if she wore glasses. She'd be able to concentrate more easily at school and will be less tired (and let's face it grumpy) at the tail end of the day.

So, off we trotted, I with outdated views of what NHS glasses looked like back when I was at school and Natty excited about dressing up and trying on a variety of hilarious disguises (I expect).