Table IX.
If a couple were expecting to have a child with DS, what would you like to tell them? (N = 264 brothers and sisters ages 12 and older).
| Category | Total* | % |
|---|---|---|
| this will be rewarding/great thing/gift/joy | 116 | 41 |
| there will be challenging moments | 103 | 37 |
| you will learn lessons on love | 42 | 15 |
| become a better person/perspective | 41 | 15 |
| people with DS more alike than different | 38 | 13 |
| This child is a blessing/angel/gift from God | 35 | 12 |
| don’t be afraid | 29 | 10 |
| be patient | 27 | 10 |
| seek support | 23 | 8 |
| don’t abort | 19 | 7 |
| do not set limits for your child/they all have talents | 18 | 6 |
| be supportive/keep child involved/be accepting | 18 | 6 |
| offered advice on medical issues/therapies | 13 | 5 |
*
Indicates number of siblings who incorporated this category in their response to this question; percentages will not add to 100%, as responses might contain more than one category.