Down Syndrome NSW Library Collection

FAMILY RELATIONS

A - F  by title

Adventures in the mainstream:  coming of age with Down syndrome

Greg Palmer.  Bethesda, MD : Woodbine House, 2005

The author, an award winning writer and producer of PBS documentaries and plays, chronicles two of the most important years in the life of his son, Ned, who has Down syndrome:  the time when he’s making the transition from high school to work, from adolescence to adulthood.  Ned struggles to learn to handle money, responsibility, and the death of a friend.

Another Season: A coach's story of raising an exceptional son

Stallings, Gene and  Cook, Sally.  NY  :  Broadway Books, 1998

Gene Stallings is a famous US football coach.  His son Johnny was born in 1962.  Johnny has Down syndrome and had an inoperable heart condition. An interesting  account from a father's perspective. 

Anecdotes Inspired by Renee

Herbert, Annette.  Fyshwick ACT  :   Australian Institute of Intellectual Disability,  1997

A mother's reflections on her relationship with her daughter who has an intellectual disability.

Bethy and the Mouse:  A father remembers his children with disabilities

Bakely, Donald C.  NY  :  Brookline Books, 1997

A father writes about his experiences of having two children with disabilities, one of them a girl with Down syndrome.

A book About Rhys

Walden, Susanne.  Sydney  :  Carers NSW, 2004

The author and mother of Rhys lives with her family in northern NSW.  This is her story about her son’s transition into school. Susanne has also included information about the resources she and her family found useful.

A book about Tyler

Burrows, Jennie.  [Sydney].  The Author, 2005

A delightful "brag book" of photos compiled by Tyler's mother. 

Caring for Kathleen: A Sister's Story about Down's Syndrome and Dementia

Fray, Margaret.  Worcestershire, UK  :   BILD Publications, 2000

An unusual insight into the life of an older person with Down syndrome.  Born in 1928, Kathleen was a much loved and valued member of her family. The author cared for her sister after their mother died.  Kathleen developed Alzheimer's disease and died at 70. This book is a celebration of their lives together.

Catharine with an A

Keir, Edna.  Charnwood, NSW  :  Ginninderra Press, 2003

The author has captured a real feeling of country life in NSW and of her relationship with her adult daughter  Catharine who has Down syndrome.  Catharine's move away from home establishing a measure of independence is reflective of one of the most significant issues families will face and often struggle with.

Changed by a child:  companion notes for parents of a child with a disability

Gill, Barbara.  NY  :   Broadway Books, 1997

Short "meditations" about a very wide range of specific issues and feelings raised by parenting a child with a disability, written by the mother of a young man with Down syndrome.  Some offer comfort, others will delight with humour,  some ring with penetrating insights.

Choosing Naia:  A family's journey

Zuckoff, Mitchell.  Boston  :  Beacon Press,  2002

 A powerful story based on an award-winning series of newspaper articles first published in the Boston Globe, about a young couple whose first child is diagnosed with a significant heart anomaly and with Down syndrome.   The book traces their emotional and intellectual journey through making a decision to continue the pregnancy, and the first months of baby Naia's life.

Climb Every Mountain: Radhika's Story

Chand, Indeera.  New Delhi  :   HarperCollins,  1997

An Indian mother’s account of her daughter's life, living with her family in India, Hong Kong and Australia, and Radkika’s development as a painter of considerable talent.

Common Threads:  Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome

Kidder, C. and Skotko, B.  Rochester, Michigan  :  Band of Angels Press, 2001

An essay and photographic celebration of inspirational accomplishments of people of all ages who happen to have  Down syndrome.

Count Us In:  Growing Up with Down Syndrome

Kingsley,  Jason and Levitz,  Mitchell l.   NY  :  Harcourt Brace, 1994.  

The authors, two young men who have Down syndrome,  discuss in their own words school, friends, family, independence, politics, careers, sex and marriage.  Described by reviewers as inspirational and  moving.

Count Us In:  Growing Up with Down Syndrome

Kingsley,  Jason and Levitz,  Mitchell l. Updated edition, 2007.  

This groundbreaking book originally published in the 90s about the life and views of two young men with Down syndrome, has been republished with an afterword by the two men, now in their 30s, telling us the next part of the story.

Defiant birth:  women who resist medical eugenics

Reist, Melinda Tankard.  Melbourne : Spinifex Press, 2006

Tells the personal stories of women who have given birth despite medical expectations:  women who were told they should not have babies because of a perceived disability in themselves or some imperfection in the child.

Differences In Common:  Straight Talk on Mental Retardation, Down Syndrome, and Life

Trainer, Marilyn.  Rockville, MD  :  Woodbine House,  1991

A collection of essays in which the author writes about her son Ben growing  up.  A personal view of the challenges, disappointments and triumphs.  Not all parents would agree with Marilyn's view but it is a stimulating read reflecting the realities of family life over time.

Down syndrome:  where do I start?: how one family coped with the challenge

Kaly, Sigrid .  Glebe, NSW  :  Wild & Wooley, 1998

An Australian mother’s account of her family's life with her son with Down syndrome, who is now an adult.

Emma's gifts:  A story of love, hope and possibility

Charlotte NC  :  Endless Horizons, 2004

Video.  Duration:  40 minutes

Emma, one of twins has Down syndrome.  The video is a great resource for parents of children with special needs and educators who seek information about early intervention and building an inclusive classroom setting.

Eric's Gift

Thompson , Kimberly.  Tampa, Florida  :   Eric's Gift Enterprises, 1998

"A mother discovers unconditional love on the 47th chromosome".