Mum urges Dorset parents to join Bright Sparks group (From Dorset Echo)

Mum urges Dorset parents to join Bright Sparks group

9:00am Friday 19th March 2010 in

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A DORSET mum has urged parents to join a group for families with Down’s syndrome children.

Annette Craddock said that the Bright Sparks club is a great opportunity for mums, dads and children to gain information and support.

Her call comes during World Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week from March 15 to 21.

Mrs Craddock, who lives in Broadmayne with Sam, aged two and a half, said: “We are a very friendly group. We would welcome new families to meet and share experiences.”

She added: “Parents can see the children develop, play with others and socialise.”

The week ends on World Down’s Syndrome Day on March 21.

The group has 11 families and is nearing its first anniversary.

It is based in Broadmayne but is for families in the west of the county.

The group meets twice a month, on the second and fourth Wednesdays at Broadmayne Children’s Centre, which is managed by Barnardos South West.

The centre has a crèche which the children have the sole use of during meetings.

The Awareness Week also features a Down’s Syndrome Association campaign called Tell it Right, Start it Right aiming to provide information for pregnant mothers and new parents of babies with Down’s syndrome.

About one in every 1,000 babies will have Down’s syndrome. There are about 60,000 people nationwide with the condition.

Down’s syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in a baby’s cells.

It occurs by chance at conception and is irreversible.

The association says that although the chance of a baby having Down’s syndrome is higher for older mothers, more babies with Down’s syndrome are born to younger women.

People with the syndrome have a degree of learning difficulty but many will talk, read and write and go to mainstream schools.

The average life expectancy for a person with Down’s syndrome is between 50 and 60 although a considerable number live into their 60s.

Call Mrs Craddock on 01305 852683 for more information about the group.