canam

Blurbs are just advertising. They are typically from more famous authors or celebrities. Sometimes they are just from other authors who are friends.

You agree to write a blurb before even getting a copy of the book. My wife is in this industry with plenty of experience with blurbs.

That's what I did some 23 years ago. Back then the pay discrepancy wasn’t as large as today. I started looking for positions in Canada in the last five years and have concluded that I can’t afford an approximately 50% pay cut, or to live in the big cities with ridiculous housing prices.

I use a small sea anchor (drift sock) when my sailboat is at anchor. The current on the sock keeps her from sailing the wing keel onto the anchor rode.

I remember exploring these tunnels. It was surprising how far you could go. Pretty much anywhere on campus.

Are you aware that some people with Down Syndrome go to college? The effects of the genetic defect vary widely amongst the population of affected. If we take your argument of suffering then what about people born into poverty? Do they not deserve to live either?

The point you are missing is that people with disabilities are people. They deserve to live same as you, despite the challenges. Have some empathy.

I don’t see motion, but I can feel/experience motion. I don’t see images at all. The motion aspect is interesting and I can use it to experience outdoor activities or sports on demand.

We moved to the US from Canada 20 years ago. Fortunately we found a bank that would look at our Canadian credit history and were able to buy a house. Not all credit checks were as flexible. We couldn’t get a cell phone plan for several years.

Every child is different and has unique challenges. All parents here can attest to that. Regardless of disabilities, there are emotional issues, sub-culture issues, etc.

The biggest challenge is the lack of community support. I live in the US, and disability services are the first thing cut when ever there is a budget cut. Most workers who choose to work in the support industry make little over minimum wage, for their entire careers. That means high turnover. That leaves a lot of care to the parents and extended family. So financially there are extra costs (e.g. paying a sitter, for an adult child), equipment, and planning for support after you are gone.

There is emotional stress, but you can probably imagine that. One of my peeves is how casually people throw around the R-word. Then act innocent that they didn't mean to be insulting.

So yes there are challenges. I wouldn't want my son to be anyone else though.

I'm in my 50s, my kids are in their 20s. I'm not looking to have anymore kids. :)

My comment was in response to the question why would anyone want a child like that. There seems to be pressure to terminate pregnancies with Down Syndrome. Fear of the unknown drives the decision, and it is a non-controversial decision because society seems to expect it. Once you see past the disability and humanize them, it does seem cruel to terminate a pregnancy due to Down Syndrome. That said, I'm pro-choice and always support the right to choose.

Congratulations on having a daughter! I'm sure she will bring a lot of joy to your life. There will be challenges, but you will take pride in her accomplishments like any other parent. The experience will be rewarding. Cheers!

It's really not a different question. Either way if my other son also had Down Syndrome, I would accept him and love him for who is. That's our job as parents, right? BTW, our odds of having our first son with Down Syndrome and autism were about 1 in a million (maybe higher). Our odds of having a second child with Down Syndrome were 1 in 100. That didn't stop us.

I don't mind answering questions about our experience. Hopefully this line of questions isn't trying to prove a point.

I do. I have another son who does not have Down Syndrome.

Your question is difficult to answer. His condition is a part of who he is. If he didn't have Down Syndrome he would be a different person. In effect your question is do I wish I had a different son. The answer is no, despite the challenges.

As the parent of a child with Down Syndrome who is also autistic, I can say it is wonderful experience. He brings us great joy and love, despite his unique needs. I couldn't imagine that anyone who met him thinks he doesn't deserve to exist.

In heavy weather a sailboat sails under bare poles. However, it might actually be a stabiling force in rough seas. My sailboat is far more stable with the sails up. Side to side rolling is eliminated.

Or maybe one block per house. Solar raises it though the day, generates electricity at night as it lowers. No grid required.

Yes, that is my experience exactly. No mental images at all. I've tried to learn, but nothing has worked. Yet I can drive somewhere once on vacation, and a decade later drive the route without a map.

Agreed. I believe a reasonably qualified engineer would produce similar solutions to those same problems. With this patent system, you have to search the patent databases before your start to implement your idea. I've had several buzzkills on ideas because I found them to have been patented. Perhaps my implementations would have made the world better, but we will never know because of the daunting prospect of facing a legal battle.