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Up, Not Down Syndrome: Uplifting Lessons Learned from Raising a Son With Trisomy 21
Up, Not Down Syndrome is a love letter and a map. Experience how it feels to think your life is over after having an unlovable baby. At first the loss seems impossible to overcome. Alex becomes the author's greatest teacher. Love is stronger than fear. Everyone has gifts. The book consists of three the story, the lessons Alex taught the writer and Alex's perspective. Up, Not Down Syndrome is a promise to stay positive, no matter up, not down. Nancy's journey gets to the core of what it is to be "A beautiful, honest account of not just accepting--but embracing--the unknown. Nancy shows us the blessing of an unexpected gift and the enormity of love."
--Sara Byala, Ph.D.
"This is a wonderful book to remind you that the joy of love is possible in unexpected places when you open your heart to it."
--Barbara Taylor Bowman, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development
"A moving and wise story of how a family navigates through hope, loss, learning and, most of all, love."
--Rabbi David Wolpe, author of The Divided Heart "The truth and beauty of Nancy Schwartz's words tell an ongoing story of love, learning and the power of acceptance. All can learn from this family's boundless hope and from their source of joy and Alex."
--April Beard, Music Educator and Cellist Learn more at www.UpNotDownBook.com
From Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com
--Sara Byala, Ph.D.
"This is a wonderful book to remind you that the joy of love is possible in unexpected places when you open your heart to it."
--Barbara Taylor Bowman, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development
"A moving and wise story of how a family navigates through hope, loss, learning and, most of all, love."
--Rabbi David Wolpe, author of The Divided Heart "The truth and beauty of Nancy Schwartz's words tell an ongoing story of love, learning and the power of acceptance. All can learn from this family's boundless hope and from their source of joy and Alex."
--April Beard, Music Educator and Cellist Learn more at www.UpNotDownBook.com
From Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com
- GenresNonfiction
124 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2020
10 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 23, 2021
I picked this book to enter for a contest with FirstReads because I met and became friends with children with Down Syndrome. My brother was severely autistic. Back in the 1950s, many doctors did not why he was different. The treatment back then was some kind of medicine that that turned him into a temporary zombie. He stopped banging his head on the wall and echoing what he heard. He was not on that medicine for long. I was relieved when my parents decided that it was to have my brother back than for him to be totally expressionless. They were encouraged to have him go to kindergarten. He stayed by himself all the time. Later, he had special education classes and a Sunday School class with brain injured and children with Down Syndrome.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because the children with Down Syndrome immediately accepted him as a friend, they never teased him like those in his kindergarten class. They watched out for him and drew into their activities. How do I know, I used to help with class and I saw the profound effect they had on him. For the first time in his life he felt included.
The author tells of her shock of having an imperfect child. But even before he could talk, Alex taught her many lessons. With my brother's experience, I knew that it would happen. My brother taught me a lot about love and fear, the children in his class gave him acceptance and unconditional love. I hope that the author writes a second book. I can count on her receiving and learning how to receive love from Alex.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because the children with Down Syndrome immediately accepted him as a friend, they never teased him like those in his kindergarten class. They watched out for him and drew into their activities. How do I know, I used to help with class and I saw the profound effect they had on him. For the first time in his life he felt included.
The author tells of her shock of having an imperfect child. But even before he could talk, Alex taught her many lessons. With my brother's experience, I knew that it would happen. My brother taught me a lot about love and fear, the children in his class gave him acceptance and unconditional love. I hope that the author writes a second book. I can count on her receiving and learning how to receive love from Alex.
July 4, 2022
What a great and touching book.
Amazing book. The author writes with emotion and honesty while still telling her story in a way that’s educational too.
Amazing book. The author writes with emotion and honesty while still telling her story in a way that’s educational too.
March 6, 2023
As a retired Special Education teacher, I want to thank Nancy Schwartz for writing two books about her son Alex. Her first title above has been followed by another endearing book about Alex and his instruction on cello, co-authored by April Beard, his cello instructor. The title of their second book is Up Bow Down Bow.
I’ve met many dedicated professionals and parents during my years as a teacher, and I’ve included music instruments and lots of audio for my students. It is a very positive way to reach the heart and soul of all children, just as April Beard and Nancy Schwartz have discovered with Alex.
I’ve met many dedicated professionals and parents during my years as a teacher, and I’ve included music instruments and lots of audio for my students. It is a very positive way to reach the heart and soul of all children, just as April Beard and Nancy Schwartz have discovered with Alex.
March 30, 2020
Loved "Up, Not Down Syndrome." WOW! Thank you for sharing your family's story with us Nancy! It's a story the world needs to hear!! Every life is a gift from above! It's up to us whether we choose to receive that Heaven sent gift in order to experience the love and joy that comes with the unwrapping. Your book shows us that, even in times of suffering, the gift of life is never wasted. There is always something to be gained! Every life is loved by our Father in Heaven who sent each one here for a purpose. For me, the following quote by
St. Therese of Liseaux from her book,
"The Story of a Soul" sums up the love and joy Nancy and her family find in living life with Alex, one day at a time!
"I want to suffer and even rejoice for love, for this is my way of scattering flowers. Never a flower shall I find but its petals shall be scattered for you; and all the while I will sing; yes, always sing, even when gathering roses in the midst of thorns; and the longer and sharper the thorns may be, the sweeter shall be my song!”
After reading this book, it is obvious to the reader that the author's song is sweeter because of Alex!
Joy Converse
Friend & Former Teacher Colleague
St. Therese of Liseaux from her book,
"The Story of a Soul" sums up the love and joy Nancy and her family find in living life with Alex, one day at a time!
"I want to suffer and even rejoice for love, for this is my way of scattering flowers. Never a flower shall I find but its petals shall be scattered for you; and all the while I will sing; yes, always sing, even when gathering roses in the midst of thorns; and the longer and sharper the thorns may be, the sweeter shall be my song!”
After reading this book, it is obvious to the reader that the author's song is sweeter because of Alex!
Joy Converse
Friend & Former Teacher Colleague
April 29, 2021
I’m only rating this based on the writing and overall quality of the book. Wish she would’ve gotten into more detail about Down syndrome...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews