Need input on Documentary on Down syndrome..

I'm a father of a great child who has Down's syndrome, and I'm also working on a documentary on Down syndrome with a Non profit.. show a positive light… I would love any feed back on what you (as parents) would like to see in a documentary.. any and all feed back is welcome…. Also we are looking for great photo's and home video tape we can use of individuals with Down syndrome.. just doing thing in groups with family, friends… team sports,, all ages.. web site: www.dakotaspride.org - Thanks Girard girardsag@yahoo.com

Here is how it started…
As a new parent of a child with Down syndrome, I was uninformed as were family members. I started by reading all I could on the topic, but it did not prepare me for the comments and questions I would get. I was surprised about comments and the lack of knowledge of the general public. I felt someone should do something about the need for public awareness on Down syndrome.

This was illustrated when my family attended a company picnic. A stranger approached my wife and asked, "Did you not cry for days when you found out he had Down's?" She just smiled and said, "No. He was rushed to NICU, and, if anything, we prayed for his life." Many with Down syndrome go on to live very productive lives, and I felt someone needed to help others understand that each child is a great gift. This is not uncommon, Noted in "The Washington Post", April 29, 2005 "Such negative depictions of Down syndrome by health professionals who do prenatal screening are common, according to a survey of nearly 3,000 parents of children with the condition, published last month in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. A majority reported that the obstetricians who gave them the diagnosis had focused on the hardships ahead and ignored "the positive potential of people with Down syndrome." "In many cases the doctors were insensitive or just plain rude," said the author, Harvard medical student Brian G. Skotko, whose 24-year-old sister has Down syndrome."

Another example of the misinformation about Down syndrome came to light when a family friend was pregnant with a baby with Down syndrome. Sadly her husband informed her that if she kept the baby, he would leave her. Not feeling she could raise the child alone, she gave the baby up for adoption. At this point I knew that that someone had to be me. I talked to the rest of the board members of the Gifted Learning Project about doing a film project. I also talked with other parents, teachers and professionals working in the field. The feedback was overwhelming--to sum it up, "It must be done"--, and I became the executive producer for the project.

As part of The Gifted Learning Project group we decided to produce a documentary film. The film would include children with Down syndrome who are high achievers. ( i.e.: went to College, excelled in sports or art.) Hollywood seems to paint people with Down syndrome with a wide brush and very limited abilities. This film could provide a different side--highlighting positives as it answers so many questions new parents and families have. This would be inspirational to new parents of a child with Down syndrome and most of all give them hope.

Thanks,, again all feedback welcome.. because we are doing this as a non profit,, we can't pay for any ideas or photos… but will give full credit in the credits.. thanks Girard..