A Week of Headlines That Hit Close to Home- Children’s Sensory Needs “Insane”. This week, the news has been full of comments discrediting autism and calling simple tools like ear defenders “insane.”As a parent of a child with additional needs, I felt that in my chest. Hard. Because when you’re
Maisy’s Tough Week and Her Brave Childhood Illness Recovery 💛 When you parent a child with Down syndrome, you learn quickly that strength comes in many forms. And this week, Maisy showed us once again just how brave, resilient, and determined she truly is. For the past two days and
Maisy’s Winter Favourites… As the nights draw in and the air turns crisp, there’s something magical about winter with Maisy. The world feels slower, cosier — and somehow more special. I’ve always loved this time of year: wrapping up warm, long walks in the cold air, and those extra snuggles
A Maisy & Dadda story about hope, worry, and finding our way through a changing SEND funding world. It’s hard to believe that in less than a year, Maisy will be putting on her first little school uniform. Just typing that makes my heart skip. How is it possible that
🎃 Magical Halloween with Down Syndrome: Maisy’s Trick-or-Treat Adventure Halloween is always a night full of excitement — but this year was extra special. It was Maisy’s first Halloween with Down Syndrome, when I felt she could join in and was old enough to participate, and she couldn’t wait to have
Learning to Eat – One Bite at a Time They said it would take time… and they were right. It’s taken patience, perseverance, and a whole lot of mashed-up meals along the way — but look at her now. Maisy is eating sausage and chips by herself (cut up into
Hi, I’m Dadda — and this is Maisy, my amazing daughter who happens to have Down syndrome. Together we’re on a journey filled with laughter, learning, and love. Through our stories, photos, and blogs, we share the real moments of a Down syndrome parenting journey — the milestones that make us proud, the challenges that make us stronger, and the joy that shines through it all. At Maisy and Dadda, we celebrate inclusion, raise Down syndrome awareness, and show that life’s most beautiful stories are written one giggle, one cuddle, and one milestone at a time. Whether you’re a parent, family member, or simply someone who believes in kindness and understanding, we’re glad you’re here. 💛 #MaisyAndDadda #DownSyndromeAwareness #ParentingJourney #InclusionMatters
Before Maisy was born, I never thought about walking and Down syndrome as something that could look different. With my older children, it just happened naturally over time. They pulled themselves up, took a few wobbly steps, and before long, they were running around the house. But I’ve learned that
Down syndrome fine motor skills can feel like another confusing part of development, especially when you’re already trying to understand everything else that comes with raising your child. When we were first learning about Maisy’s development, most of the focus was on bigger milestones like sitting, crawling, and walking. But
Down syndrome hypotonia is something many parents hear about soon after their child is born, but understanding what it actually means can take time. When we were first told that Maisy had low muscle tone, it was just another medical term in a long list of things doctors were explaining
Speech delay is something many parents think about early on after their child is diagnosed with Down syndrome. You might find yourself wondering when your child will say their first words, or whether speech will develop in the same way it does for other children. I remember thinking about this
When I first began trying to understand Down syndrome development, what I wanted most was clarity. Statistics felt overwhelming, and inspirational quotes didn’t mean much yet. I simply wanted a realistic picture of what the early years with Maisy might look like. If you’re parenting a child with Down syndrome
When I think about Down syndrome milestones, I don’t picture charts or timelines anymore. I picture Maisy standing in our living room with balloons brushing the ceiling and a Bluey cake waiting patiently on the table. Maisy turned four on the 14th of January. That sentence still makes me pause.