Nancy's Journey: Embracing Every Milestone with 21 Together

Meet three-year-old Nancy. Nancy is currently enrolled in our early intervention group in Thanet and is thriving!

Nancy’s mum, Andrea, first heard about our Preschool sessions when they attended the ‘Down with Friends’ playgroup at The Gap, and enrolled Nancy immediately.

Nancy's journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but the progress the family witness daily reaffirms their decision to join. They continue to learn and grow alongside Nancy, cherishing each milestone and embracing the 21 Together community that supports them.

Navigating the Journey

When Andrea was just a few months into her pregnancy, a routine blood test indicated a higher risk of Down’s syndrome. Although there were no guarantees, and everything else progressed as expected, the medical team frequently offered the option of abortion. This constant suggestion made Nancy’s parents feel disappointed to have to defend the life of their daughter rather than the joy of expectant parents.

When Nancy was born, she appeared just like any other newborn. Her eyes were closed, and she fed without any trouble, a milestone often challenging for children with Down’s syndrome. They were discharged from the hospital within 24 hours, with only a minor concern about a small hole in her heart, which was expected to close over time.

A few days later, they received a call confirming that Nancy had Down’s syndrome. Although they had been prepared for this possibility, the confirmation still brought a flood of emotions. The family were overwhelmed by the mixed information they received—some sources were encouraging about the prospects of an independent life, while others highlighted daunting potential health complications.

Fortunately, the family were blessed with a supportive paediatrician who promptly assigned them a keyworker. By the time Nancy was three weeks old, she was already receiving physiotherapy. They were then connected with a baby group in Broadstairs, where they began to build a supportive community.

Finding 21 Together

One of the highlights of Nancy's week is attending the 'Down with Friends' playgroup at The Gap, Broadstairs on Wednesdays. When Andrea saw 21 Together ran an early intervention service, Nancy was enrolled immediately and has been making excellent progress ever since! Watching her run in and sit down, ready to participate, brings the family immense joy.

The family have also been attending the Regional Hub Meet-Ups, created for the 21 Together community to get to know other families; where they’ve found comfort and camaraderie, connecting with other parents at various stages of their journey. The support from other families within the community has been invaluable.

The team at 21 Together can’t wait to see Nancy reach her potential and will be there to support her every step of the way!