Allison Russell’s son Derek, Powell River’s only child with Down syndrome, has just started school.

When Derek Russell was born five years ago he was the first child born with Down syndrome in Powell River in 28 years, so in some ways they were breaking new ground, says his mom Allison.

There are 10 other people in Powell River who have Down syndrome, but they’re all adults, says Lilla Tipton, executive director of Powell River Association for Community Living.

November 1 - 7 is Down Syndrome Awareness Week, and Allison wants to raise awareness about this chromosomal disorder.

Caused by an error in cell division, Down syndrome results in the presence of an additional third chromosome 21, or Trisomy 21.

It occurs in one out of 800 live births, in all races and all economic groups.

Although the incidence of Down syndrome rises with increasing maternal age, of the total population older mothers have fewer babies. That means about 75 percent of babies with Down syndrome are born to younger women, because more younger women are giving birth.

Allison was one of these younger women.  She was 26 years old when she became pregnant with Derek. He was her second child and her pregnancy was a perfect one. She’d had an ultrasound the month before his birth and had been told everything was normal.

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When Derek was born, she was told he had Down syndrome.

“It was a total shock. We had no idea, but it was minor compared to everything else that was going on.” She learned Derek had a congenital heart defect that required surgery shortly after he was born.  Approximately half of children born with Down syndrome have congenital heart disease.

Children with Down syndrome are also 10 to 15 times more likely than other children to develop leukemia.  When he was three, Derek was diagnosed with leukemia. Today he is in remission.

Derek is a lovable little boy who likes to give his mom hugs and kisses. And even though he has Down syndrome, he still wants everything other children want.

“They are still people and they want to be included. There are a few more challenges, but typically they’re just like anyone else.”

When Derek began kindergarten this year at Grief Point Elementary School, Allison put together an album with pictures and Derek and his family and his story.

“I wanted people to be aware of who he is and what he’s got. I think it’s the adults that you have to educate more, because the kids just accept him for who he is.”

Derek loves school and his mom says the school district has been very supportive. He gets speech therapy once a week but his favourite activity is going to the Snoezelen Room at Community Living Place.

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