Challenge 21 - Cathy Halpin DSC Cork

I am partaking in Challenge 21 for my 2-year-old son Finn.

When Finn came into our lives on the 5th of May 2020, our lives changed

100% for the better. He has brought so much love to our household and his three older brothers, Jordan, Joshua and Jayden.

We discovered Finn had Down Syndrome during my pregnancy, as I was diagnosed before the pandemic. I will never forget the absolute worry and fear of the unknown we had before his birth, coupled with many hospital appointments alone due to the pandemic, including after his delivery. Our focus is on his health and well being.

As it was the pandemic, a lot of our research around Down Syndrome was done by ourselves and google. There were no in-person support groups or clinics to attend.

Finn has a smile that would light up a room, and every day, he overcomes a new challenge with his enthusiasm to explore.

We were fortunate to be introduced to Lisa and the Down Syndrome Centre Cork team. Here was a critical milestone for my family and me in understanding what was available for Finn and introducing us to other families going through the same concerns, especially with small children. The families I have been introduced to have been a godsend. Equally, the centre's support around Finn's physiotherapy and occupational therapy has been vital in ensuring he has access to critical services that are otherwise difficult due to government cuts.

The Down Syndrome Centre Cork is a registered charity and does not receive any government funding, and they rely solely on the generosity of people’s donations and fundraisers. The Down Syndrome Centre (DSC) Cork was founded in early 2017 in response to a recognised need in the Cork region to provide support and facilities for families and carers of young children with Down Syndrome.

The Centre is a voluntary run charity, founded initially for children, under 7 years, with Down Syndrome in Cork & surrounding southern counties. The centre is continuously growing and will be offering services to all age groups over time; it is planned to work in phases. DSC Cork was founded and run by parents of children with Down Syndrome, the purpose of the centre is to provide three core functions; Diagnosis Support, Early Intervention Services, Building Lasting Friendships