Because every family deserves the blessing of a child with Down Syndrome...

Saul

Boy, born December 2007

ABIhkSui–Down Syndrome

Be still my heart, is that a dimple?! Saul has been waiting for TOO long. New photos available, he is doing SO well with his foster family but needs to come HOME finally. Walking, talking, eating independently. Saul was born full term by normal delivery with a birth weight of 2.6 kg. He was diagnosed to have Down Syndrome, Ventricular Septal Defect, Article Septal Defect and Bilateral Syndactyly at 3^rd and 4^th fingers on both hands. His heart condition is stable and does not require any medication since April 2009. At present, he has regular follow-ups in the interval of 9 to 12 months in the paediatric (cardiac) units and a yearly appointment in the orthopaedic clinic. His health condition is stable and sometimes suffers from flu and fever.

Saul enrolled in a special child care centre in September 2010 and attended full-day schooling. He is a lively and active child who enjoys schooling and participation in small group activities and trainings. Though he is self-centered and stubborn at times, he easily forgets the unhappiness and remained as usual. He gets along well with his teachers and classmates. His teacher commented that he has improved in learning.

His motor development is satisfactory. He walks and runs steadily and manages to stand on one foot. When he is at home, he loves to climb up and down a sofa and transport a toy from one place to another. He loves playing ball games and manages to kick a ball and grasp it with one hand and throw it away. Though he has an operation on separating the bilateral middle and ring fingers in May 2009, the rehabilitation is good and his fingers continue functioning well. Presently, he eats with a spoon, drinks from a cup, takes off his shoes and socks. However, he still cannot fasten or unfasten a button well.

Recently, he improves obviously in speech. He is responsive to conversation and is willing to imitate other’s words. Presently, he can pronounce words up to two syllables like “Ye Ye”, “give me”, “eat” in Cantonese in order to express his needs for food. Besides, he can show or tell his needs on having bowel movement and “wee wee” to the foster mother. When he is at school, he manages to go to the toilet by himself. He is learning not to wear diaper in school and day time but he still has it at night. Though Saul is of small body size, his appetite is good. He usually has two bottles of milk and three meals a day. He eats a bowl of rice mixed with meat and vegetable which are cut into small pieces.