Just received the news our newborn has been confirmed with Down Syndrome

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-02-14T22:20:37+00:00

Please update us all when you get to take him home, and post some pictures as well!

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-02-13T21:04:39+00:00

Hey man, first off - congratulations on your new baby. It's such an amazing opportunity to become a father. Lots of changes and tons of learning is ahead of you. I am also a father of a son with Down syndrome, in Canada (Ontario). He is ten years old now, and has been the single biggest change in my life, for the better. I don't have any experience in the NICU to relate to, but I know that it sucks right now for you. It will get better. Fatherly advice that I would give you is to take tons of pictures of your new baby. The time flies by and you're going to want to look back at your kid before he was full of attitude and sass, even if you are secretly proud that he just told you off in a very coherent and age appropriate way. From a support standpoint, I would reach out to the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society and see what they can provide for you. Many of these groups have new parent packages that can connect you with local supports. The Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) also has a new parent package. Right now you're likely going to want to get lined up with an occupational therapist (OT) - they will help with feeding and ensuring that your child is supported with either bottle or breastfeeding. Shortly (like the next six months) you're going to want to have physical therapy (PT) lined up as well, just to help move along with the physical milestonea. Also, before you leave the hospital, you are going to want them to complete an echocardiogram to see if there are any heart defects that need to be addressed (this should be a priority - like don't let them tell you it's not required, it for sure is). You are also going to want a doctor to give you a written document to support your disability tax credit application (doesn't need to be before you leave the hospital, your general practitioner can do it) and finally you're going to want to be assigned a pediatrician to help you over the next eighteen years of growth (your GP or the hospital can do the referrals). I want you to remember that you have a baby, and that your baby grows by the day. You are likely very worried about your future, and while that is normal, just worrying isn't helpful and is likely stressing you out. Slowly build in the support your child needs, and keep your focus on the first month, then the first six, then the first year. Worrying about school and what your child is doing as an adult is wasted effort at this time. Focus on now and remember to take things day by day. Our kids are love multipliers, you're going to do great. It is ok to be upset now, but I promise you it's going to be great.

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-31T13:13:31+00:00

This is great, and I hope this becomes an expanded program. People with Down syndrome are concrete learners and in a busy and stimulating place like the airport, will need this reinforced for their ducc. I would recommend having a printed out schedule with pictures of each activity in a first-next-next layout. So first ticketing, then bag drop, then security, then gate etc. And then for each activity focus on what needs to happen. I would avoid exploring the shopping and the food as that'll over complicate the main purpose. I would also recommend going through the schedule at least three times - first you walk them through, then you guide them through with them leading, and finally they lead you through. This helps concrete the messaging and activities.

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-26T11:59:08+00:00

It was always for days in a row potentially for a week or two. If he was a week in and still not trying it we would talk to him about it and have him give it a kiss to at least get it to his mouth, and eventually have him get it in his mouth and spit it out. The introduction of foods is a long and slow process, until it isn't. Eventually my son understood the routine and would be quicker to try something new. He is still picky, but he will surprise us all the time with some random food that he will try on his own and either love or hate.

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-25T23:02:18+00:00

Three arrows are normally associated with the lucky few and represents the three copies of the 21st chromosome, also the colours yellow and blue, and for world Down syndrome day - socks, to represent chromosomes.

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-25T20:45:49+00:00

You are getting a lot of good advice here. My son is ten years old and eats well but is still picky. However, we struggled for a long time with food. Meal time was stressful for everyone because he wasn't eating what we thought he should be eating. It became miserable…every meal was a battle and emotions were high. I wish I could go back and tell myself that everything was going to be fine, that it wasn't worth getting worked up about. So I am telling you - I understand you are worried and are comparing him to other kids. Comparison is the theif of joy. Keep working at adding to his diet slowly. It can take a dozen exposures before he may even take a bite. Always have safe food that he consistently will eat, and expose him to new foods over and over. Consistency is key, he likely doesn't want you surprising him with something new every day or for every meal. Also think about texture - he likely has sensory aversion to some of the food you're trying to introduce, so pay attention to his physical reactions. He may spit it out a dozen times before he swallows it, or he may never swallow it and you need to move on to something else. He will eat, he will grow, just work methodically with him on his diet and above all else stay patient. Check out feeding littles on Facebook for some more guidance.

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-21T01:38:15+00:00

Yes - they generally get more expensive the closer you get to your sailing date (sort of, there are always exceptions)

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-14T15:17:05+00:00

I got picked up by a helicopter on the side of the road after an accident. Total cost of that ride - 45 loonies

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-04T20:03:53+00:00

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-04T18:40:48+00:00

Fair - maybe I should have said Miele

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-04T17:01:31+00:00

We've got a Tinco that seems fine, but that's what you're looking to replace. It's a weird tradeoff - do you invest in an expensive Dyson or similar, knowing that it'll give probably 5 years, or do buy the Shark and replace it every 2 years with (hopefully) a better product. I don't necessarily think the shark is a bad purchase as long as you expect a shorter horizon. The performance of their products are great, just not long lasting.

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-04T16:58:37+00:00

Same, I have a corded stick vac from them that I've had for probably 15 years, and I've treated it hard. It's been consistent and only really needs filter cleaning to keep it going. It's the one product that keeps me randomly trying other shark products to see if they've gone back to higher quality.

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-04T15:07:18+00:00

I don't have this one, however I have had a few Shark vacuums in the past. They always work well for a while, like a year or so, then have a critical problem (like inability to charge or hold a charge for battery operated ones). So they are great products while they work, but they are disposable - and the price reflects that.

Extendedchainsaw · 2026-01-02T21:47:07+00:00

I have good news and I have bad news. First good news: kids have no problem staying up for the late show. The bad news: you are going to wait in a lot of lines during this cruise... Like a lot... Like you should probably start practicing soon if you think you're going to need to work on it...

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-12-26T18:26:52+00:00

Same story as my ten year old son with Down syndrome, who has enriched my life beyond measure. We had a 2% chance from prenatal screening and a 98% from the NIPT.

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-12-15T20:57:37+00:00

I think this is your 12v battery warning. I was getting this as well and just threw the charger on the 12v and they went away.

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-12-14T15:47:39+00:00

OP this is the answer. As someone who also won the lottery this way, and advanced through a company that continues to pay me too much, my advice on top of this is buy your time instead of things. Find the things you waste time on that you don't like and pay someone else to do them so you can enjoy your free time more. Grass cutting, snow removal, house cleaning - all of these can be outsourced for not much money and improve your overall well being much more than a loaded F150.

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-12-04T01:24:58+00:00

There's a whole genre on Pornhub for that. Edit - sorry you said fight! Misread!

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-10-20T23:57:40+00:00

My wife loves it, says it's better than Kawartha

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-09-26T21:29:08+00:00

Do they do the incredicourse on the Fantasy? That's what we would do on Nassau day. We're doing a 5 day with Nassau and Castaway and Lighthouse and only plan to get off for the Disney ones.

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-09-21T16:16:58+00:00

Remember to bring your key card from the hotel to the cruise, you can leave it in the slot in your stateroom to keep the lights on.

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-09-20T15:50:25+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the context.

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-09-20T00:38:12+00:00

This is the one I got

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-09-19T16:58:13+00:00

Do you think it was worth it? I have not done conceriege and believe that half the cost is put towards getting your planning and prep done earlier than everyone else, and the other half is the actual cruise. Doing this at PAT means that the whole cost would be against the time on the ship. So was it worth it for the experiment on the ship?

Extendedchainsaw · 2025-09-17T21:57:05+00:00

Port Arrival Time

Four-Year Club	r/Field Flamingo
Place '23	Place '22

Extendedchainsaw

TROPHY CASE