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I myself have two beautifull boys, one of four and a half and 1 of 9 months. Both boys were welcomed into our family with soo much love, however we soon discovered after our youngest son was born. He was perfect! However, soon after his birth we were given the news that he did infact have downs syndrome. This was a frightening time for us as a family, emotional and confusing..there were many tears and questions but most of all worry that our perfect baby would be ok.

Thanfully, although our boy was very lucky to initially seem otherwise ok comparrison to that of a typical child with downs syndrome.or additional needs. We were soon later to discover that he did infact have a hole in his heart, making him extremely volnurable to infections..3 hospital admissions later, through his strength and fight..we are having a a break from our nhs holidays. We are very hopefull that he will remain strong and grow up into a healthy young man. We are facing developmental delays and are working with him to support his milestones and to help him have a fullfilled life, as any other child would want. And also as a family.

Along with our boys dissibility, we are faced with sleepless nights, reflux, sluggish bowels, umptine appointment, physio, peadiatric visits, health visits, feeding and swallowing, speach and language, portage, eye appointments, hydro theropy, ent, to mention a few.

We do feel so very greatfull and lucky for him being him and being such a strong fighter! And are very understanding of any other family supporting a child with additional needs, also with other siblings, as it really is such hard work at times...and know they too will also be finding it hard to fit in time for family let alone a break away to have fun or a holiday.

We attend a few local family led support groups, one of which is a support for families of children with downs syndrome, the other is a portage play session for families with children that have additional needs. Both of which are fantastic snd it is great to talk to others and exchange our experiences etc but the truth is... these families never get a break! Never have time to be a family, have fun. They are too also working very hard to support their families around their day to day jobs and all the additional appointments and theropies, sleepless nights. These are un selfish families, that are always looking out for their children or others. No time to think of themselv's. These parents are soo tired and never have the spare money to afford that small break away to get away from the norm of the clinical world!. Nor do they expect it, As their lives are soo consumed by their children.

This is why i am hoping that there are people generous enough out there to help support these families to be able to be a family again, enable them to have some fun, and take time out. Be it just for a weekend. These families deserve a break. Your donations may just prevent that parent that is boarder line about to give up! Or loose their job from being overwhelmed with stress..let us help these families have a well done..lets make these children see their parents enjoying them, Smiling and laughing..

Thank you all in advance you could be making the difference x x x  Emma 🤗