October is Down syndrome awareness month therefore I thought I would take the opportunity to explain (as simply as I can) what Down syndrome is and how much each tiny chromosome makes a difference in the make up of our bodies.
Pre-Matt, I never paid attention or even thought twice about a chromosome. Sure I went to a class at some point in school where a teacher probably tried to teach me about this stuff and I mean no disrespect to that teacher but for some reason it just didn't stick with me. Maybe it was the boys in the class? Maybe it was that I wasn't in class?? Maybe it was a sign that I should have paid attention??? I'm hoping it wasn't the latter since nothing stuck in my head as far as history and geometry goes either. Can you imagine what historical situation I could end up in? My luck I would be on one of Christopher Columbus's ships the Ninja, Pinto, or the Santa Juanita trying to get cooridinates but I’d have no calculator. WTH?
Ok. "Down" to business. What is Down syndrome, otherwise known as Trisomy 21?
Well, it goes something like this…the human body is made up of cells and each of those cells contain chromosomes, 23 pairs to be exact. Each pair has one from mom and one from dad, which ends up giving us a total of 46 chromosomes. A chromosome if you don’t know, makes up our genetic information. In Down syndrome for some reason a split happens in the 21st chromosome (call it a chromosome party I guess) making it three (tri) chromosomes instead of two.
As a result a person who has Down syndrome ends up with 47 chromosomes instead of 46 in each cell. This split repeats itself so every cell ends up with one more or uno mas...the more the merrier right. Ü
There are three genetic variations that can cause Down syndrome however; I think I’ll stop here with teaching you chromosomes 101. There is always Google if I’ve sparked your curiosity and you want to learn more.
What it all comes down to is those tiny chromosomes pretty much control our make up. Are they the cause for heart defects, cleft pallets, larger heads, thicker necks, poor muscle tone, small hands and feet, slanted eyes, intestinal problems, and thyroid dysfunctions? I'm not sure of this but if so, then I think my chromosomes must be thicker than normal…it’s the only explanation I can come up with for being blessed with abundance in my rear, chest and thigh area. Not just uno mas…but mucha mas!
Whew!! are you with me still? I think I may need a cigarette..ha ha
Pre-Matt, I never paid attention or even thought twice about a chromosome. Sure I went to a class at some point in school where a teacher probably tried to teach me about this stuff and I mean no disrespect to that teacher but for some reason it just didn't stick with me. Maybe it was the boys in the class? Maybe it was that I wasn't in class?? Maybe it was a sign that I should have paid attention??? I'm hoping it wasn't the latter since nothing stuck in my head as far as history and geometry goes either. Can you imagine what historical situation I could end up in? My luck I would be on one of Christopher Columbus's ships the Ninja, Pinto, or the Santa Juanita trying to get cooridinates but I’d have no calculator. WTH?
Ok. "Down" to business. What is Down syndrome, otherwise known as Trisomy 21?
Well, it goes something like this…the human body is made up of cells and each of those cells contain chromosomes, 23 pairs to be exact. Each pair has one from mom and one from dad, which ends up giving us a total of 46 chromosomes. A chromosome if you don’t know, makes up our genetic information. In Down syndrome for some reason a split happens in the 21st chromosome (call it a chromosome party I guess) making it three (tri) chromosomes instead of two.
As a result a person who has Down syndrome ends up with 47 chromosomes instead of 46 in each cell. This split repeats itself so every cell ends up with one more or uno mas...the more the merrier right. Ü
There are three genetic variations that can cause Down syndrome however; I think I’ll stop here with teaching you chromosomes 101. There is always Google if I’ve sparked your curiosity and you want to learn more.
What it all comes down to is those tiny chromosomes pretty much control our make up. Are they the cause for heart defects, cleft pallets, larger heads, thicker necks, poor muscle tone, small hands and feet, slanted eyes, intestinal problems, and thyroid dysfunctions? I'm not sure of this but if so, then I think my chromosomes must be thicker than normal…it’s the only explanation I can come up with for being blessed with abundance in my rear, chest and thigh area. Not just uno mas…but mucha mas!
Whew!! are you with me still? I think I may need a cigarette..ha ha
Matt knows he has Down syndrome. He knows he has 47 chromosomes instead of 46. John and I are always telling him he’s lucky because he has more than us. Does he understand it? I don’t think so although he sure recognizes other people who have Ds. He’s very tender and nurturing towards them.
Recently we were at Walmart in the movie section (surprise surprise) and there was a young man with Ds who was playing the Playstation. Matt goes walking by him, notices him and stops and pats him on the back as if to say "it's ok" meanwhile the kid is looking at Matt with the same look. A funny sight really.
And one night we were watching last seasons So You Think You Can Dance tryouts... the one where the young man with Down syndrome from Saratoga Springs was trying out...Matt blurts out "Hey mom, that boy's like ________". I said, "Matt, you're like _______". He looked at me like "whatever mom! what are you smoking?"
Bless his heart...he surprises me everyday.
So in honor of Down syndrome awareness month and those who are blessed with the party in the 21st chromosome, I thank you. I thank you for making me a better person. I thank you for teaching me about compassion, patience, and unconditional love.
And Matt, I thank you for being you. My teacher, my son....
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