Down’s syndrome charity ‘helps me feel less alone’

A mum from Cheshire said she felt less isolated thanks to support from a Down’s syndrome charity.

Rebecca Goodier, whose 18-year-old son Jamie has the genetic condition, said sharing experiences with other parents was incredibly important for her family.

Down Syndrome Cheshire, which receives funding from BBC Children in Need, was formed 18 years ago by a group of parents as a way to connect with and help each other.

“To get involved with other people who’ve got Down’s syndrome – meet parents, get to speak about memories and things that they’re going through – you don’t feel as isolated and alone,” Ms Goodier said.

Down Syndrome UK estimate 1 in 700 babies worldwide are born with the condition.

Ms Goodier described how Jamie was “very poorly” as a newborn.

“He had to have open heart surgery three times,” she explained. “We had a rough start.

“For Jamie to be able to mix with other people with Down’s syndrome, it’s lovely because he’s built friendships up over the years.

“From day one, that’s how it’s always been.”

Founded in 2007, the charity currently supports more than 380 families across Cheshire.

It provides people with Down’s syndrome and their families with support and educational resources for understanding, inclusion, and independence.

Down Syndrome Cheshire’s Lucy McLaren said her charity was a “lifeline” for many parents.

“We empower people with Down syndrome to live the life that they choose,” she said.

“Everything that we do is centred around the needs of our members and what we can do to make their lives more enriching.

“The money that Children in Need will give us will provide an absolute lifeline to a lot of our families.”

She said BBC Children in Need money helped the charity to continue its “essential work”.