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This is
me, the cute guy in the middle! Forget about those two old people
behind me...
Picks of me at my Special Olympics
CNS High School 2006 |
These are my sisters! (Don't mess
with them!) I love them with all my heart!
Carly/Angela/Nicole
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 Who
Is Zachary Clark and What Is Down Syndrome?
I dedicate this site to my
Grandpa... who I miss a lot...
Clark N Motondo Sr.
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I am a
child who was born with down syndrome... My mom works for SUNY and
my dad has a really cool job, he works at my favorite radio station
MOViN 100/96.5! He takes me with him a lot and I meet a lot of singers!
He also owns
Skip Clark Entertainment.
Now about me I was born on November 29, 2000 and I'll let my mom and dad
tell you the rest. |
When
we were first told that our child had
Down
Syndrome, the Dr. asked us if
we knew what that was. We said we did. Since then,
 we've
come to realize how little we really knew. Below
is how we understood what we have learned. It is written
in laymen's terms, not scientific ones.
In 1866, a physician named John Langdon Down first
described a set of children with common features who
were distinct from other children with
mental limitations. He referred to them as "Mongoloids"
because of their slanted eyes that were similar to those
of people from
Mongolia.
In the 1960's and 70's genetic researchers changed the
name to "Down Syndrome."
It
wasn't until 1959 did researchers Jerome
Lejeune and Patricia Jacobs first
determined the cause of Down Syndrome to be the triplication of
the 21st chromosome. Zachary has this type of Down
Syndrome. It is called "nondisjuntion" or "Trisomy 21." It makes up 95% of all
Down Syndrome cases. Over the
next three years, the other two types: translocation and
mosaicism were
found.
Human cells normally have
 46 chromosomes
(thread-like structures made up of
DNA
and other proteins) arranged in 23 pairs. The 23rd pair
determines if the baby will be male or female. The XX
pair is a girl. The XY is a boy. In most cases both
parents contribute half of the 46 chromosomes. In the
case of
Down
Syndrome, somehow, when the
parents chromosomes split in half, the 21st set from the
mom or dad does not split. So, when the egg and sperm
join, there are a total of 47 chromosomes, rather than
46. That's where the name Trisomy (3) 21 (for the 21st pair)
comes from. You would think one extra little thing would
be good. In the case of Down Syndrome, this causes an over
expression of certain genes
which can cause physical and mental
difficulties.
Below is a
picture of Zachary's chromosomes. They are exactly like
everyone elses, except for
that one little extra chromosome on the 21st
pair.Three to four percent of all cases of
Trisomy 21
is due to translocation. This type is where
there is a rearrangement of genetic
material between the 14th and 21st
chromosomes. Translocation may be
inherited.
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Mosaicism have a mixture of normal cells and
Trisomy 21. In some cases, their effects from Down
Syndrome may be less severe.
Children with Down
Syndrome are usually smaller than those their age
without the genetic disorder. Their physical and mental
development is usually slower. Many children with Down
Syndrome have mild to moderate mental retardation.
Although, some children are not mentally retarded in the
least. Due to low muscle tone children with Down
Syndrome usually have slow motor development. When
others are walking at around 12 months, DS children
usually don't do so until around 15 to 36 months. Low
muscle tone and hearing problems can also cause a delay
in language development. |
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The physical
characteristics that Dr. Down noticed in 1866 include
all, some or very few of the following: flattening of
the back of the head, slanting of the eyes, small folds at the inner corner
of the eyes, flattened nasal bridge, slightly smaller ears, small flaps at
the top of the ears, small mouth, decreased muscle tone, loose ligaments,
small hands and feet, one line across the palm of the had, and a gap between
the first and second toes. |
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There
are several health concerns attributed to Down Syndrome. Sixty to Eighty
percent of children with DS have hearing
deficits. Forty to forty-five percent of the children
have congenital heart disease. Many have to undergo
surgery. Intestinal abnormalities
is common. Eye problems are at a higher incidence
in children with Down Syndrome.
Nutrition can be a problem as well. In the infant with a
heart defect, failure to thrive can be a problem. In
adolescence and adulthood obesity often occurs.
There
are often thyroid dysfunctions. Skeletal problems often
plague individuals with Down Syndrome. Loose ligaments and hip
dislocation happen frequently. There can also be health problems such as
leukemia, Alzheimer disease, seizure disorders, sleep apnea and skin
disorders. |
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Various professionals in this field have told us
that today is a wonderful age for a
child to be born with Down Syndrome. They know so much more than
they did even 15 years ago. With a loving home and early
intervention services, Zachary will have a bright
future. With thr ee older siblings that obviously
 love
him, a mother that is a understanding, patient, and a
great teacher of what is right and wrong, and a strong,
loving father, Zachary would have a great advantage over
so many others. We know that with God's love and a
strong family, Zachary will get all the support and love
he needs to be a success in life. He's succeeded in one
thing already. He's made everyone he's met fall head
over heels in love with him. He has a heart melting
smile and a accepting look of
love in his eyes for everyone he meets. We have high
hopes for Zachary's future. Check back to his Link from
time to time and watch him grow.
Down Syndrome
Links |
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