European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 02, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The stars and stripes Page 11 dear Abby dear Abby six months ago our 22-year old daughter gave birth to her second son. Within hours of the baby s birth our lives were changed forever. Our Beautiful and apparently healthy grand child has a condition known Adown s syndrome. Our grief was almost indescribable for those first weeks following his birth and was often compounded by thoughtless but Well intentioned comments from friends and rela Tives. We were told cheer up it could have been  sue the doctor look at the Bright Side maybe the baby won t  we were asked. Which Side of the family is to blame and the most ignorant question of All arc you going to keep him Many friends tried to Comfort us by saying god sends such babies Only to special  Abby this baby is special but not because he is handicapped. We would have loved him just As much had he been bom without Down s syndrome. Time has eased our grief and enabled us to let go of the dreamland plans we had for this child. New dreams and Dif Ferent plans have taken their place. The birth of a handicapped baby is traumatic to the family. Friends and relatives can be a source of com fort and strength. They should acknowledge the baby birth with appropriate gifts cards letters etc., As they would for any other Newborn. If one is in doubt As to what to say it is Best to remain silent. A gentle squeeze of the hand or a warm hug can speak volumes. It is my sincere Hope that this letter will be of some help to those who May find themselves in this frighten ing and unpredictable situation. Been there in Bridge City Texas dear been there thank you for an enlightening letter. Dear Abby Congress passed a Bill naming october As National Down s syndrome awareness month. As the Parent of a 2-year-old daughter with Down s syndrome i m excited about the Opportunity that awaits us to better educate people about children and adults with this condition. The most common clinical cause of mental retardation Down s syndrome occurs in approximately one in800 births. It is the fault of neither Parent. It is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome nor Mal people have 46 Down people have 47 at the moment of Conception. There is so much confusion about this Abby. Many people have asked me if i had taken drugs or alcohol during my pregnancy. Neither of them plays a part i Down s syndrome. Also i am frequently asked if i am Over 40 i was Only 26 when i became pregnant. As we educate perhaps we can dispel Many myths and misconceptions of not Only Downs but Many other disabilities As Well. We want everyone to know that most of our children grow up to be Happy productive adults with very rewarding lives. There is plenty of concern understanding and Edu cation for families of developmental disabled Chil Dren and adults. I joined a local support group when our Little one was Only 4 weeks old. Some parents connect even earlier. If any of your readers would like information about support groups Early intervention and education medical aspects and financial help with Down s syndrome they should Contact the National Down s syndrome Congress 1800 Dempster St., Park Ridge Iii. 60068-1146. The toll free Telephone is 800 232-6372. Saga of . Pen pals continues editor s note in the 14-year history of the Stan and stripes pen pals column an average of 10 letters a week have arrived at the newspaper. In june however the office was flooded by More than 600 re quests for pen pals. The shocked staff Learned after a Little research that All of the writers had seen a notice in the daily Mirror a 3.9 million circulation British news paper. The overwhelming number of requests from Brit Ain required special treatment. This is one of a series of names to be printed from this group. T am 23 years old and enjoy  ring . Tenpin bowing music 1 Alto Ike american football. Especial the Miami of pins. Michem Harlington 134 coed a Gores uan Deym. Cardiff cf37n0 South Wales great Britain 1 am interested in finding a pen pal. 1 am 22 years of and enjoy Reading. Music ranging from classical to pop and Gong out with friends t work m the sounds department of . Smith As a management trainee. 1 Tove cats and dogs. Shona Napier 54 Scott Road to Gate Crawley w  great Britain i there. 1 have a terrific personality and am looking for pen pals. Clare Homen 17 sea View Easington Village Peteriet co Durham Srb 3ej England t am 42 years old. Divorced Lor several years with no Small Chil Dren. I love travelling going to Thea ters and restaurants and i enjoy All sorts of music especially soul t Enoy most Lood. Especially Indian and chinese. 1 worst As a business Center supervisor Lor he Windsor. Lynn Diamond 5 Carey close Windsor Berks sl4 3ls England 1 am 23 years old and 1 would like to correspond with people in the american forces Lesley Macdonald 12mahonave Orrell Bootle 20 Merseyside l20 6ap, England t am 24 years old and live on the tale of Man. T adore football soc cer and t Ifko All kinds of music. My hobbies include Reading writing let ters and going to nightclubs. I have a great sense of humor. June Smith Flat 2, 12 Victoria Terrace Douglas. Isle of Man unwed kingdom i am 24 years old and would like to correspond with a pen pal m the american forces. A. Futz Patrick 1 i Morval Crescent Wagon Uve Pool l4 she England 1 am interested in writing to someone within the . Forces.  b7 Abbeville Road Clapham London sw4 9jh England 1 am a 23-year-old single Parent with two Young children. My big Gest love a music but 1 also enjoy an occasional dim Moxi sport except Cricket Rugby and Golf Anu writing. Teresa Hill Flat 3, Lane Green court Lane Green Road Bill brooch. Wolverhampton wv81lu England 1 am 27 years old. 1 work As an assistant Cook. In my spare Lime 1 like to walk my dog. Drive my car watch to and play Tennis. I also enjoy going to the discos on week ends Cheryl Hall 7 Martins Roa Burten Grange. Barnsley . 571 5lx England 1 am 16 years old and would like to be pen pal with an american service member in England or in America. Caroline a s 12 High Bank Road win ohm. Burton on Trent staffs Dei 5 oh4 England t am 24 years old and very inter ested in corresponding with anyone who is interested in writing to me. Donna Ann Gulch risk 27 Pegors Road . Swansea West Glamorgan Wales unwed kingdom 1 am 24 years old and an enrolled nurse working at the general Hospi Tal. Bike keeping fit. Reading and Karan Homer 42, Thorney close Sund Artand Tyne and Wear. England 1 would like to correspond with people involved with the american forces in Europe and England. Kay prior 27, pens Crescent Minster. Thanet Kent ct12 4dy, England t am 16 years old and would love to write to someone m the forces. Catherine Jarret  Lun Gynor fld Beaufort ebb Vale Gwent np3 5ds Wales. Great Britain 1 am 31 years old and enjoy writ ing and receiving letters playing darts and quizzes. Alison Manly 25  , Tony retail mid olym. Cf39 bin South Wales great Britain 1 am 21 years old and enjoy watching videos and helping out at a club for the mentally Handi capped. Beverley Lewis 2 Hech Haull Ryn . Bryn Tony retail mid Glam South Wales great Britain 1 am in and my sister is 21. We would like to correspond with any one in the age group of 1 b to 25 Sarah and Jane Boucher 62 Hodder Avenue Fleetwood Lancashire fy7 bed England 1 would like to have a pen pal in the american armed forces. Miss t. Smith 30 Malcolm Road Gamsby. South Humberside dn34 5nl England 1 am 36 Yeara old divorced and have two sons. 13 and 12 years old 1 enjoy listening to music writ ing letters and All aspects of coun try Lite. Joan Shingler in Myddie or Shrewsbury Shropshire sy43rx England 1 am 21 years old training in psychiatric nursing. 1 like Almat. Music Reading watching television going out shopping driving around the Countryside swimming jogging and going on walks. Hopefully either a Star or a Stripe win write Back to me soon. Teresa Williams pm 59 nurses Home North Wales Hospital Oen sigh. Clwyd n.wateslll65ss great Britain 1 am 22 years old and enjoy going to the movies playing Squash and Badminton and swim Ming. 1 also enjoy a Lively night out at a disco. 1 live and work at me Public House my parents own. Joanne Clayton the set Thield hotel High Street. It Toister stallordshirest147hn England i am 24 years old and work aft a chef-1 enjoy going to nightclubs in the evening Wendy Robinson 35. Southad Crescent Coseley. Or Dudley West midlands. England t am a 27-year-old Legal Secre tary and Hope to visit America later this year. Anything or anyone connected with the Stales where you have faucets and diapers instead of taps and nappies fascinates me. . Sims 28 third Avenue Forest town Mansfield Notts. No 19 obo England having Tost my wife and having a  m London and feel ing rather lonely at times i thought it would be Nice to have someone to write to Guys or gats. Or. J. Morris 23bc.ariist.eet Stepney London Al 3ev England i m 21 years old and interested in hearing about life and travelling in the armed forces. I m a student. Susan bums 19 Bride Oak Street Cheetham Hill Manchester b my 7pn England i am 21 years old and mad about football Cricket and Tennis Al though i can t play them very . My favorite music is John Cou Gar Mellencamp. Inns and Rem. Lucy Crook at Hobb Lane hedge end Southampton Hampshire England i am 25 years old and am inter ested m All types of music dancing socializing and keeping fit. Kay Nicholas 14 Avondale St. Standish Wigan landcastirewn6ole England i am 22 years old. I enjoy writing a Tot listening to All kinds of music swimming walking and travelling. Paula Pountney 40 room Lioko close Kidderminster Worcestershire England i am 24 years old end work As a typist. I have a vanity of interests including music the Cinema and Reading. Lorna Navolio 67 Tennyson Street Sutton Manor St. Helens merseysdewa94bh England i am 18 years old and looking Tor someone to write to. Michelle 2, Rosendale close Bacup Lancashire ol139lw England i am 21 years old and enjoy photography watching various sports mainly soccer and Rugby and writ Margaret cart 57 Urne pit Lane Stanley Wakefield West Yorkshire wf34dq England i am 22 years old. I enjoy read ing fashion listening to pop music and going to nightclubs. Susan Lewis 32 Marlpool place tranche Kidderminster Worcestershire dy11 5bb England i am 19 years old. I like listening to Huey Sowis and the news Bruce Springsteen the Christian s and heart. I also like watching videos and american football. 1 have two Brothers and two Sisters. I also have a German Shepherd called Elsa. Ann Marie Knox 27 Grampian Road Bill Ogham Cleveland ts23-2ph England Are you working hard and Long ing to sit Down relax and read a letter from a cheerful ugh hearted and witty Young Btl if so write to me. I am presently studying for my a Levels at College sol could use some mail to cheer me up As Watt. Sara 130cottermnoad Surbiton. Surrey kt8-7ul England t am in years old and envy trav Eling meeting people writing let ters the of Neh. Listening to a wide 1 of Rock music and Basicity 11 Chamberlain Road Eastbourne eastsusaetbn21 1ru England i am a 30-year-old nursing sister Irving in Weaver s cottage in the country with my 2-year-old boy. I enjoy psychology walking history sports can the theater and eating out. Dena Adamson syn House 225 Wak Edeko fld. Kolc Henryd. Derby Dale Huddersfield  England i would be to correspond with a member of the american air Fotica or army. A. Mai student nurse staff residences Northwick Pari. Hospital Watford Road. Harrow mkwx.ha.3uj, England i am a 20-year-old dental nurse and a member of the Elvis Presley Tan dub. I he music old movies Reading and Art. Vanessa Thurston 40 Cornwall Road Greenth. Herne Bay Kent ct6 7sy great Britain t am a 31-year-old Divorcee with two Young boys. I enjoy watching films Reading listening to music and gardening. Sue Couchman beast Brooks Pitsea Baston Essex ss1330f great Britain i am 25 years old. I love skiing movies fiction and Romance books. Tennis Badminton music Ballet socializing with friends and photog Raphy. Helen Giro 248 Char ton Road Keynsham Bristol bs18 2lo England i am 16 Yeats old and enjoy read ing witching to and Cole cling posters of the brat pack. I have done my exams and plan to go to College to train As a Nursery nurse. Usa Marie Mclntyre 3 Dakhi walk Northwood Kirkby Uve Pool l330xu Merseyside England i am 21 Yearb old and i enjoy a lot of pop and 60s music playing Pool and few sports. Christine s. Millward4belmhurslgdn. Hemington. Middlesborough Cleveland tsb9en England my Horoscope says i should Man a new project connected with sex Doment. What s More exciting than writing to the stars and stripes for some Pon pals i am 16 years old. I Don t care who writes to me As Long As you re fun 22 so John s Terrace Plumstead London se1b7rt England i am 17 years old. I he watching air planes and enjoy camping. Play ing and watching sports atoning to music cycling going out with my friends and watching lims. My favorite groups Are simple minds. Us. Deacon Blue Texas and Bryan Adams. Joanna Holt 5 pen a Raki. Beyn Seton ,clwvdlcl63yy Wales Greal Britain i am 23 years old. I like All sorts of music movies and Stephen King books. Christine Long  Rayleigh Essex ss6 9bx England i am 18 Yeara old and wish to correspond with yanks under 25 stationed in Europe. Caroline Snake Shaft i1 Haywood Crescent Waters Edge,1 Runcorn Cheshire wa7 6na great Buntain european he Tow col Gene e. Townsend Usan commander editor in cruel it col. Suzanne l phiuip8, Usan Deputy commender Earlor in chief Marie Kominicki meet Proctor Deane & Mcdermott production Manroel managing editor circulation manager this newspaper is in authorized unofficial publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of the stats end stripes Are not Nece surely the official views of. Or endorsed by. The . Government the department of defense or the . European command. The appearance of advertising in this publication. 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