Saturday, October 13, 2012

31 for 21: DAY 13 :: Future Generations

In case you were wondering, couples with Down syndrome can and do get married.  However, it is unlikely for them to ever have biological children together.

Down Syndrome Fact of the Day #13:

Males with Down syndrome are usually unable to father children, while females demonstrate significantly lower rates of conception relative to unaffected individuals.

Women with DS are less fertile and often have difficulties with miscarriage, premature birth, and difficult labor.  Men with DS are almost uniformly infertile.  There have been only three recorded instances of males with Down syndrome fathering children.

Now I know it probably seems a little odd to be talking about my child's potential for procreation while he's only 2 years old, but being that Jack is a little different, it is impossible to not think about what the future holds for him.  While it used to make me a little sad knowing that Jack will never experience fatherhood, I soon realized that many adults without Down syndrome are unable to have children biologically.  No one can ever predict exactly how things will go in their lives, especially with the added complication of special needs.  Jack's inability to father a child, however, just so happens to be the one thing we can predict about Jack's future. 

So, Jack will not be a father to a child, but we are certain that he will be the greatest son, grandson, uncle, nephew and cousin in the whole, wide world! :)

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