Author's Blog
My involvement with the group
I have been coming to IW Toy Library and Opportunity Group for 10 years, first to bring my daughter Lauren, who has Down Syndrome, then to bring my son Benjamin and finally to help run the group. My daughter had open heart surgery at 4 months to have two large holes repaired in her heart and a valve created. More than anything, it was this surgery that changed our perspective and priorities in life. At IW Toy Library and Opportunity Group, I found many parents who had shared similar experiences and it was good to talk about it with those who really understood.
All round support
Lauren thrived after her surgery and we attended our local toddler groups as well as IWTLOG but it remained at IWTLOG that I felt most at ease as development stages and ages began to drift apart from other children. I could also rely on other parents to prevent Lauren from making her latest dash for freedom, as she would squeeze out that just closing door or make a bolt for the fire exit. For a child who could take her time on many things, boy could she move when she thought you weren't looking! Here,too, you could rely on getting smiles of recognition or sympathy at such mischevious behaviour not "tsks" of disapproval or polite ignoring.
Lauren visting Santa at a IWTOG Christmas Party and enjoying the dressing up box
Continued benefits
Lauren and I have continued to benefit from IWTLOG as the years have passed. Although I am now involved in the running of the group, I still value the time to meet up with other parents and chat about our news. For Lauren, friendships made at IWTLOG became especially valuable as she got older and it was more difficult for her to maintain friendships with children of her own age without special needs at the mainstream primary school she was attending. It was great for her to have a friend home to play just as her brother did. Now attending Medina House School, Lauren is lucky to have her friends Eleanor and Kye, who also joined the school this year, in her class.
Lauren, with friends Eleanor and Kye celebrating her 2nd birthday at IWTLOG
Lauren and Eleanor in the park last year.
A favourite picture: Lauren on holiday last year
I hope that other families will benefit from IWTLOG as much as we have done.
Amanda Ringer
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