Rising Kites

Rising Kites' mission is to celebrate the gift of Down syndrome by bringing encouragement, resources, and support to those within the Down syndrome community.

I initially heard of Rising Kites from a small article in Calvin University's alumni magazine, the Spark. As a family physician who at the time also delivered babies, I reached out to Danielle asking for some bags so that I could provide them as a resources to my own patients celebrating a new baby with Down Syndrome. One week after I had connected with Danielle we received our own in utero Down Syndrome diagnosis. At the time we were diagnosed with fetal hydrops so our Henry was not anticipated to make it to full term, we did not expect to meet him this side of Heaven. Henry did not heed the poor prognosis and miraculously his hydrops resolved. He was born at 37 weeks. 2 months later he surpassed medical expectations again after he was discharge following open hear surgery after just 5 days in the hospital. 

Our fears of Down syndrome have quieted, our expectations have been exceeded. Our initial diagnosis was fraught with fear, worry, uncertainty and sadness. When I looked through the top of the box of Rising Kites bags Danielle sent that wintery week December 2022 I had so little understanding of this community some call "the lucky few." 

To celebrate your newborn, affirm the beauty of your baby and acknowledge the immense value of your child should be the experience of every new parent. Unfortunately when your child is born with a Down syndrome diagnosis the opposite is far too often the case. Rising Kites works to provide joy and celebrate every individual regardless and even because of his or her disability.

As we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21 would you help me raise funds to promote the work of Rising Kites? THANK YOU!