BEAUMONT, Texas — October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth is teaming up with The Arc of Greater Beaumont to remind families that they have resources available.
11-year-old Trace White and his family have benefited from the programs provided by CHRISTUS and The Arc.
12News got to meet Trace and his family. They say these programs eliminated a lot of their worry.
When Trace was born with down syndrome his mother, Dawn White, was worried about being fully prepared. Now, she can say with confidence parents of kids like Trace are never alone.
When Trace was born, he spent six weeks in CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth's NICU unit.
"That's not something you're expecting, those first weeks while he was here in the NICU and after we got home, those days were just filled with worry. What is that going to look like for us and for our family? How can we help him?" said Dawn.
Those questions were quickly answered by the hospital's staff and The Arc of Greater Beaumont.
"The Arc of Greater Beaumont partners with us here at CHRISTUS, and they provide baby baskets for parents of children who have down syndrome. It had all of this great information about resources that she could use connections with people in our community, so that Dawn and her family could be plugged in and have those resources from the very beginning," said Former Executive Director of The Arc, Teri Hawthorne.
This gave Dawn the tools she needed to give Trace the live he deserves.
"They were instrumental in helping us learn everything we could about the diagnosis. What it actually meant, what needs he might have after we left the hospital, facilitating referrals, like for early childhood intervention, for speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy," Dawn said.
Without worry, Trace can focus on his singing career.
"He loves Parker McCollum, and got to meet him when he came to Beaumont. He just is such a ball of energy, and he has taught us so much about what's most important," Dawn said,
Dawn advises all new parents of children with down syndrome to utilize resources available and stay informed.
"Treat them as you would any other child, because it's a small part of who they are, and certainly when they're little, it's, it's all encompassing," said Dawn.
You can show your support during Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The Arc of Greater Beaumont is hosting the annual Beaumont Buddy Walk at the Event Center this Saturday, October 19 at 9 a.m.
You can buy tickets for the event on The Arc's website.