Tag Archives: Down syndrome

  A typical week for Melissa Hanna might include doctor’s appointments; occupational, physical or speech therapies and learning as she goes. She is a foster parent for two medically-complex children younger than age 1 through Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Therapeutic Foster Care program. This program provides a hands-on approach to foster …

It stands to reason that the people in one’s life—be they acquaintances, friends, neighbors, family members, teachers, doctors or baristas—don’t really know what it’s like to raise a child whose needs, challenges and gifts are different from those of the average child. Unless they have walked that path themselves. Baltimore’s …

Max and Tatum first met as babies, in that drunk-seal way babies meet. They benignly ignored one another. Then, if one happened to heave themselves into the other’s personal space, they’d silently assess one another while drooling. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. In infancy, Max drooled half …

When I was in first grade, a boy in my class used to chase me around the playground and attempt to land a big fat wet kiss on my face. I couldn’t run away fast enough. As Valentine’s Day approached, I wanted to hide under my desk or skip school …