Noah's special place in the family

CAROLYN THOMAS

Each of the Baker children from Huapai has a unique place in the family, especially 3-year-old Noah, who has Down syndrome.

The outgoing youngster may need extra attention at times, but his parents Shelley and Reuben also learn from him.

"Noah has taught us so much more than I could ever imagine of a normal child, Shelley says.

"I wouldn't be so compassionate about others otherwise.

"I wouldn't change that for anything."

Big brother Jesse, 6, and toddler sister Holly, 23 months, play a part in Noah's development, which is slower than others his age.

"We've never made it a bad thing and we haven't made it the other way, either," Shelley says. The two children have taken quickly to helping Noah, with Holly already leading him in many areas, including speech.

Shelley is grateful Noah does not have the heart defect that is common with the disability.

The initial shock when he was born quickly subsided.

"This is the package we've got and we're going to make the best of it," she says.

Support from the Auckland Down Syndrome Association including courses, advice and events for families, parents and caregivers have been invaluable.

The family plans to do the association's annual Buddy Walk at Tahaki Reserve in Mt Eden this Sunday, from 9am. The lineup includes music, entertainment and food stalls.

Shelley attends a west Auckland coffee group and is keen to start one in the nor-west area, where she knows of 10 other children with Down syndrome.

The association also introduced the family to New Zealand sign language, which helps with communication with Noah.

She says his behaviour is not overly different to a normal child, but his low sense of danger means a closer eye needs to be kept on him.

He attends kindergarten three hours a day and Shelly hopes to keep him in mainstream schools.

"You can teach, discipline and mould them," she says.

"In the long run, you want them to be independent."

Shelley says Noah's many good qualities include being social, affectionate and bringing lots of laughter.

She hopes people's often negative reactions to Down syndrome will change through increased awareness.

More than 280 Buddy Walks world-wide last year raised awareness for the syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, which occurs when a person has a third and extra 21st chromosome. Visitbuddywalknz.org or adsa.org.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News