DownSyn Forum

cmscr · Posted: October 11 2002, 9:52 PM Post subject:

I just needed to sound off about our local situation. We live outside of Washington DC and for those who may not know,we have a sniper who has shot 9 people. We keep trying to go on w/ our lives and not let this psycho "win" but it is really wearing me down. Besides feeling so badly for all of the victims who were doing nothing more than pumping gas or daily activities-I am so sad to see the fear in my kids eyes!

All of their soccer,outside girlscout activities,pumpkin patch plans etc. are cancelled. They also cant go out to play in school or at home. I realize that compared to what many people deal w/ in the world this is minor. But compared to most places in the good old USA THIS IS CRAZY! My kids were just getting over the pentagon disaster! Kids in their school had relatives die and it was very close to home.

The worst part is every time we think we can begin to get back to normal,he strikes again and we are all back inside! I dont know how to explain this to my 6 yr old. She prays every night that he will be found. Perhaps you could all do the same. Thanks for listening

CMSCR

Marcel's Mom · Posted: October 12 2002, 4:52 PM Post subject:

I find that whoever is doing this is sick. Unfortunately, this person seems to know what to do since the police are clueless. It's awful. I live in Idaho, but I feel your pain. We just need to pray and have faith in the authorities to do their job.

vonda · Posted: October 12 2002, 7:31 PM Post subject:

We live 1 hour from Washington, in Maryland and the first incident was in Rockville, which is only 30 minutes from us, so it's WAY close to home for us. The Buddy Walk is supposed to be held next Sunday on the 20th in Washington and I REALLY want to go cause Chris Burke is going to be there and that guy from the show SCRUBS, he has a son with Ds named Max and I wanted to meet him too, but I don't EVEN know if they'll have it now, which is SO sad and just not right! Vonda

Marcel's Mom · Posted: October 12 2002, 11:06 PM Post subject:

What guy from SCRUBS has a son with Ds? I love that show! Anyhow, truly, trust the LORD guys. My girlfriend has family in Maryland, I should call her. This person will be caught eventually. Hopefully tonight, before another person dies.

Amy Jensen · Posted: October 13 2002, 9:20 AM Post subject:

I absolutely love that show SCRUBS. The Doc who tries to act cynical, but deep down is a good guy-he's the one with the kid with Ds. Not J.D.-the young Doc, but the one who is his mentor. I wish I knew his name! I think he was at the Buddy Walk in NYC and I really wanted to go, but we had another commitment. I am so sorry Vonda for this horrific situation and I hope and pray he is caught soon and that you will be able to enjoy your Buddy Walk.

vonda · Posted: October 13 2002, 9:42 AM Post subject:

Here's a picture of the guy on scrubs with the little boy with Ds. His son's name is Max and he is SO cute! At the bottom of this profile of him it even mentions his son and how he is a spokesperson for the Down syndrome society. Vonda

http://www.scrubs-tv.com/perry_cox.html

Marcel's Mom · Posted: October 13 2002, 11:10 AM Post subject:

I was researching the SCRUBS guy last night and before I even found out who it was I was hoping it was Dr. Cox, cuz he's my favorite. And the Janitor. Hehe.
I wouldn't let this sniper keep you from doing your regular activities. Don't let this fool scare you. I suppose that's easy for me to say in Idaho. Smile

I just hope there are no copy cats out there. I hope the Buddy Walk goes on as planned and everything turns out just fine.

Libby · Posted: October 13 2002, 4:12 PM Post subject:

I just love you guys!! I know, I know, I say that all the time. I also love Scrubs and I love that actor too. I had seen an article in People about him and his very cute little boy. "Help me to help you, help me to help you", remember those were his lines. He is so funny. And those words could also be used for that terrible sniper. I thought about you Vonda, 'cause I knew you lived nearby. My sister in law lives outside of DC too. Terrible tragedies!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend otherwise. No poops or vomiting, ha ha.

Bye for now.

Lib

vonda · Posted: October 13 2002, 4:29 PM Post subject:

I don't know if I've posted this or not, my mind is lost, gone, not good. My husband is working today and I am here with the kids who are being anything but good, but I wanted to let you know that I got an email from a friend about a show that is coming on Dateline and it's an interview with a family with a child with Ds, and it's called Naia's story or something like that. Now I heard it was coming on October 15th on Dateline, and then I heard that they changed it to the 27th, so I'm not sure which night it's gonna be, but I hear it's gonna be REALLY GOOD. My friend went to the DS conference in Colorado and she said that this family was on the plane when she came back and she met them and they are wonderful. So keep watching and if I find out EXACTLY which night, I'll let ya know. Hey, Libby, we love you too GIRLFRIEND!!! Vonda

vonda · Posted: October 13 2002, 5:39 PM Post subject:

Oh, something else I thought about to share with you. I was telling my husband my thoughts on this last night, wanna see what you guys think about this. Now this guy on Scrubs is GOOD, I mean GREAT for our kids with Ds, and I am SO glad that he is speaking out and being a spokesperson for Ds. Now while there are still those ignorant people out there who are STILL feeling sorry for us poor individuals with these children with Ds, I feel that they would change their tune if someone REALLY famous had a child with Ds, ya know. I mean if Madonna's last baby would have had Ds, then Ds would be the IN thing and EVERYONE would want to have a baby with Ds, everyone would want to get involved with our kids and Ds would be so much more accepted. Isn't that sad and sick, but OH SO TRUE? I hate that! Okay, done now, PMS strikes again, ha ha. Vonda

Amy Jensen · Posted: October 14 2002, 7:43 PM Post subject:

Vonda,
Do you know how many times I have thought about this? This SCRUBS guy is the first remotely famous person I have known to have a child with Ds. Isn't that strange? You would think there would be more and there SHOULD be more, but I have a feeling a lot of prenatal testing goes on in the hollywood community. It sounds bad, but I wish there were more stars who had these children, because just their celebrity would bring about much needed awareness of the beauty of people with Ds. Hey-If Madonna keeps having more kids, we have a pretty good shot!

Heidi · Posted: October 15 2002, 7:41 AM Post subject:

I read these threads yesterday but did not know what to write (although I notice the topic has moved from the original one CMSCR wrote about).

I want to say something but cannot think of anything that does not sound trite-we live in the UK and have no idea what fear you guys must be living under. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

On a lighter note, I don't think we get Scrubs here (maybe on Satellite?) but Leslie Grantham (Den in Eastenders) has a DS child and does a lot of campaigning to raise awareness, and money for research.

_________________
Heidi

Tom · Posted: October 15 2002, 10:34 AM Post subject:

Julie Newmar, who played Catwoman on the old Batman TV show, has a son with Down syndrome.

Quote:

LIFESTYLE: A marriage, a son. But what a rich tale is in those four words. Early in her career Julie was engaged to Western writer Louis L'Amour, who was approximately twice her age. She left him when she made her break for New York in '54. Julie married a lawyer on August 5th of '77, and she quit her career to move with him to Fort Worth, Texas. They moved back to L.A. in '80 and tried to start a family. After two miscarriages, Julie, now in her mid-'40s, gave birth to a son, John, who was diagnosed with Down's syndrome. She and her husband split up six months later, and within two years Julie was a divorced mom. She intentionally slowed down her career to spend more time with her son, keeping him at home in Brentwood, California rather than turning him over to an institution. "Yes, I could have put myself first and sent John off to some facility run by doctors," she told the National Enquirer in late '99, "but I love this wonderful person who just happens to be my son. I live my life with him, not in spite of him. He can't speak much and can hardly walk but inside him is a beautiful soul that shines forth in everything he does." They've traveled the world together, and at home she's designed and built for him a serene "secret garden" that's filled with fountains, rocks, lush landscaping, and ceramic animals. "I want John's life to be as complete as possible," she explained to the Enquirer. "He fills my life with joy everyday."

vonda · Posted: October 15 2002, 11:18 AM Post subject:

Ursella Andress, that older actress that was married to someone famous, John Derek maybe, well she has a grown son with Ds too, but obviously she doesn't show him off much cause I just saw this article about him in a magazine a few months ago and had never heard about it before.

And, the sniper strikes again, this time, a few miles closer to where my husband works, NOT GOOD! Vonda

cmscr · Posted: October 15 2002, 7:16 PM Post subject:

Vonda
Seven Corners is my stomping ground. My mother works there and the day of the shooting she was right on route 50 hanging signs for a craft fair! Where does your hubby work?
Laura(CMSCR)

Forgot to mention that the Buddy Walk is cancelled for DC.I believe it is now supposed to be on Nov 2

[Edited by cmscr on 10-15-2002 at 08:36 PM]

vonda · Posted: October 15 2002, 8:04 PM Post subject:

My husband works for Nextira One Federal, used to be Williams Communications, doing computer stuff and installing big telephone equipment.

Also about the Buddy Walk in DC, the lady told me on the phone yesterday that it would be rescheduled for the first or second week in November, but I got a personal email from another lady today telling me that they've decided to have it in the spring, on Sunday, May 4th, and that they will post this on their website. Vonda

cmscr · Posted: October 16 2002, 11:38 AM Post subject:

Wasnt it cancelled last year too because of 911 or perhaps the anthrax scare? My family thinks I am crazy for living here! We have always liked it. If you end up going on Buddy Walk-whenever it is,we should see if we can hook up. Would love to meet Noah! Laura

vonda · Posted: October 16 2002, 12:15 PM Post subject:

That would be great, I have chills!!! Vonda

carolyn · Posted: October 17 2002, 5:07 PM Post subject:

Hi all, I`ve been a little out of it lately, visiting family, work, plumbing problems(aaagh!) and a whole glut of first birthdays including keirs...just too tired even to log on.

cmsr and vonda i do feel for you living in the area the sniper has chosen to pick on. It is headline news here too. i live in south london and while i am used to feeling generally safe in my life, since 9/11 i have been aware of feeling less so and now and with the sniper and bali i think any of us in the western world could be a target at some time, we just have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But i realise that this is a feeling for me just now not a real possibility as it is for you all living near washington. I am thinking of you. It is difficult to know what to say. It is a crazy situation.

Also, on a lighter note, Heidi i had no idea that `Dirty Den` from Eastenders has a child with ds?? The British Grand Prix Racing champion Damon Hill has a son with DS and is quite involved in the DS association i think.

Carrie.

Heidi · Posted: October 25 2002, 6:15 AM Post subject: sniper

Has he really been caught? I do hope so, for all your sakes. Enjoy your weekend, free from worry,

Love and prayers to you all,

_________________
Heidi

vonda · Posted: October 25 2002, 7:11 AM Post subject:

Oh YES, they were caught alright, 4 miles from my front door. I turned on the TV yesterday and THERE the police and entire SWAT team were in OUR neighborhood 50 miles from all the shootings at a rest stop that WE frequently visit. I figured it had to be an accident or something, right, NOPE, they were asleep in their car THAT close to my house. Oh the mere thought of that makes me want to hurl! But they got them, they sure did, and I hope they get what they deserve! Vonda

Libby · Posted: October 25 2002, 1:11 PM Post subject:

Vonda, I'm so glad the snipers have been caught!!! I can't believe it's so close to you. Wouldn't you know the guy that called them in was a trucker from KY, my neck of the woods. I don't mean to be mean, but nice representation, you know that "rill niiiiice" country accent.

Anyway, rest easy now!!

Libby

Marcel's Mom · Posted: October 25 2002, 5:39 PM Post subject:

It's a small world guys, I used to live in Tacoma, Washington before I joined the Air Force. I lived very close to the Army post he was stationed at. My family still lives near there. SMALL WORLD!!!!

cmscr · Posted: October 25 2002, 7:28 PM Post subject:

We are all soooo happy again1 The girls have soccer and we can make it to a pumpkin patch before 10/31. Cant believe how relieved and almost giddy everyone is around town. Everyone is smiling and friendly. The stores are busy and the kids can be heard playing and screaming outside!

Last Wed and Thurs my kids had to run from the school to our car as police,parents and teachers lined the perimeter of the school. It took almost 45 minutes to get 400 kids out of school for dismissal! I just was so sad. My 6 yr old says we should pray that know one else thinks this sniping is a good idea and tries it too! Yuk!

Anyway, thanks for the concern etc. Vonda, I love that area of Md. How freaky that he was so close. Thank God that is over.

Laura

Marcel's Mom · Posted: October 25 2002, 10:50 PM Post subject:

I was thinking that too, what if there are copy cat crimes after this? Or what if there were more than two? I don't know that I would be all that relaxed so soon after. Not to rain on your parade. I don't remember personally the 44 caliper killer (was I even alive then??) but it kinda makes me think of that, the fear everyone had. People altering their everyday lives because of some fool. Praise God these crazed madmen are caught and hopefully there will be no more murders.