Canister

Expectant Parent Book

Description and images

After the birth of my son with Down syndrome when I was twenty-three, I felt overwhelmed and afraid for myself and my new baby. How would we pay the medical costs, get therapy for him, and help him fit in? Shortly after he was admitted to Newborn Intensive Care, a Parent Support Coordinator from the hospital appeared with Down syndrome resources and a snapshot of her eight-year-old son on a bike. In that one moment, my husband and I felt that if our son could be like that, we would be okay. For the first time, we saw that life could be normal again."

- Stephanie Meredith

After receiving a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis, many parents are similarly overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for reliable information, but the timing is even more critical since parents must make vital decisions in a relatively short time. The Expectant Parent Guide was specifically created to provide them with insight about a Down syndrome diagnosis, a list of reliable resources, and, most importantly, a glimpse of the lives led by people with Down syndrome. The text has been expertly written to include reliable information from studies and medical publications that provide accuracy and assurance, and the photography has been specifically selected to portray how people with Down syndrome are an integral part of their communities and families.

The medical professionals and other top advisors who reviewed the materials have expressed that the information is balanced and that they would feel comfortable sharing the material with their patients. Both medical professionals and expectant parents will find the information accessible and complete. No other publication provides information balancing medical information and emotional rationality in a way that encourages the reader to thoughtfully explore options.

The original photography depicts people with Down syndrome in a range of ages, activities, and cultures. Entirely shot on location, the photographs portray people among their friends and family doing what they normally do. They show a humanity that is accurate and entirely authentic.

High quality offset printing, 36 pages, perfect bound, full color, 6.5 inches square

See the full resolution pages here.