Up, Not Down Syndrome

Uplifting Lessons Learned from Raising a Son with Trisomy 21

De: Nancy M. Schwartz

Narrado por: Barbara Rich

Up, Not Down Syndrome is a love letter and a map. Experience how it feels to think your life is over after having an unlovable baby. At first, the loss seems impossible to overcome. Alex becomes the author's greatest teacher. Love is stronger than fear. Everyone has gifts.

The book consists of three parts: the story, the lessons that Alex taught the writer and Alex's perspective. Up, Not Down Syndrome is a promise to stay positive, no matter what: up, not down. Nancy's journey gets to the core of what it is to be human.

This audiobook will help you:

• Explore what it feels like to think life, as you know it, is over
• Discover the fierce love, joy, and peace a baby diagnosed with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) brings
• Learn the lessons this child taught his mom
• Understand the gift this baby brings to our world
• Realize the depth of the love this family has for the child

Praise for the book:

"A beautiful, honest account of not just accepting - but embracing - the unknown. Nancy shows us the blessing of an unexpected gift and the enormity of love." (Sara Byala, PhD)

"This is a wonderful book to remind you that the joy of love is possible in unexpected places when you open your heart to it." (Barbara Taylor Bowman, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development)

"A moving and wise story of how a family navigates through hope, loss, learning and, most of all, love." (Rabbi David Wolpe, author of David: The Divided Heart)

"The truth and beauty of Nancy Schwartz's words tell an ongoing story of love, learning and the power of acceptance. All can learn from this family's boundless hope and from their source of joy and strength: Alex." (April Beard, music educator and cellist)

Learn more at www.UpNotDownBook.com

©2020 Nancy M. Schwartz (P)2020 Nancy M. Schwartz

Only scratches the surface

Great book for parents with newly diagnosed DS, but the challenges once they're 5 or 6 years old and beyond are totally different. Maybe she'll write another one in 10 years or so!

Thank you for sharing your story

This is a positive, uplifting story about a boy with Down’s Syndrome and the joy he brings to all who know him. His mother shares her family with the reader/listener and wants us to see everyone with new eyes. Well narrated and easy to follow.

Not what I expected

The book looked to have potential - but it didn't hold up. I kept waiting for the information to flow: What's it like to be a parent, grandparent, etc. of a child with Down Syndrome? The answers never really materialized. Also Alex, the child in this book, was far from typical and had a number of additional challenges beyond Down Syndrome - this was not well explained in the book's description but Alex was not able to walk, talk, etc. normally, (even past age 9) and needed a lot of additional care that would not be typical.

The experience of the family was challenged but overall still positive, and that was clearly expressed.

If you are looking for a story at corrects some misconceptions about how a child with Trisomy 21 effects a family, this story might be helpful. Not so much if you want specifics or details.