This is Adam. He was born with a genetic condition called Down Syndrome and I have been ever so lucky to be able to witness him grow up to be the most gorgeous and wonderful seven year old boy that he is today. To be honest, I didn't know much about Down Syndrome and had never really researched the condition properly until Adam became part of my (ever growing) family, but Adam teaches me more and more each time I see him, without even knowing! Despite having Down Syndrome he continues to be one of the happiest little people I know, with a wicked personality, and it's so easy to forget it even exists. He's so clever, sociable, makes me laugh and is ever so independent. He's just a superstar and if anyone can inspire me to jump off a crane 300ft above a river then it's this amazing boy. I'll be completing a 300ft Bungee jump (the highest in the UK), in Manchester on the 9th July 2016.
Sunshine and Smiles have helped Adam and his family since they were first established in 2011. Adam attends speech and language sessions with them monthly and also goes to a football session on a Sunday morning once a month. This wouldn't be possible without donations from people like me and you and I hope to be able to raise enough money to be able to help boys and girls like Adam and their families.
Sunshine and Smiles is a support network for children and young people who have Down Syndrome. The group was set up by parents as there wasn’t a specific support group for families with a child with Down Syndrome in Leeds. They bring Sunshine and Smiles to the lives of families through providing a range of fun and therapeutic activities such as regular groups and trips, support and befriending to parents with a new baby and advice around additional challenges such as heart defects, feeding difficulties and other health issues.
