I read with interest The Telegram article of Nov. 13 regarding children with Down syndrome and the support their parents receive from their advocacy group.
My daughter, Babs, has Down syndrome. She is now 50 years old, and at the time she was born attitudes toward those with her condition were very different from what they are today. I was told at that time that I need not take her home, but could put her in the children’s home on Water Street and need never see her again. No help or counselling was offered.
Family support was non-existent as one side ignored her and the others urged me to ”put her away somewhere.” In spite of this and knowing very little about Down syndrome, I managed to raise her through the baby stage of her life.
When she was three years old and had just learned to walk, I discovered that the Vera Perlin Society was starting a program for young children like my daughter. I brought her to the house on Patrick Street where the society was located at that time. I was amazed to discover that, for the first time in her life, here were people who accepted her, loved her and saw her for what she was — a beautiful little girl.
Family support was non-existent as one side ignored her and the others urged me to ”put her away somewhere.”
On the next day when I brought her to the program, she toddled off into her classroom and never looked back. She had found her place and her people. Ever since that day (even though she has attended special classes in the city schools), she has always been involved with the Vera Perlin Society. It has been her life and those who care for her, her extended family.
She now attends the Perlin Centre and has done so for more than 20 years. She is non-verbal and requires a lot of physical care, but manages the activities of daily living with much help. She is respected, cherished, well cared for and loved. She is a happy, healthy middle-ager now. She loves to go for a walk, loves a good Newfoundland scoff and every Purity biscuit on the market.
During these many years the people at the Vera Perlin Society have been of tremendous help to me as well, offering support, encouragement and advice when needed.
While Babs was home during the past year when the centre was closed, I received a weekly call from a staff member, to find out how we were and if we needed anything.
I do not have words to express what the Vera Perlin Society has meant to Babs and me.
They have helped me, but most importantly helped her to have a happy life, find her place in the world and be the very best she can be.
Joan Fowler
St. John’s
