Essays Wanted: Reflections on Fatherhood and Down Syndrome

Calling all fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and uncles!! There is a new book on the horizon in need of reflections from men on Fatherhood and Down syndrome. Let's see if I can get Bill to write more, other than the wonderful list of 5 things he has learned from Matthew. For more details, please read the following letter, which I copied with permission, from Barbara Curtis' blog Mommy Life.

Brand New Man: Reflections on Fatherhood and Down syndrome

Many of you who have children with Down syndrome may be familiar with the book Gifts, edited by Mrs. Kathryn Soper.

If you are like me, the stories from all of the mothers out there were inspirational, and more than one has brought me to tears. Knowing that there are others who have walked down the same path before me has been a blessing, especially in the beginning.

One day, I sent Mrs. Soper an email asking whether there were plans for a book that focused more on a father's perspective. Her response was relatively simple: "No.....I hope you'll consider creating the book you'd like to read." After much thought, I've decided to do just that. I am looking for vignettes from fathers, brothers, uncles, grandfathers and self-advocates for "my" book.

The working title is "Brand New Man: Reflections on Fatherhood and Down syndrome". Write about what moves you, what inspires you, what you wished you'd known. I want this book to bring a sense of peace to new fathers who are faced with the unknown, who are questioning God and his infinite wisdom, and I want to reassure them that Down syndrome is just one more way we are all the same and we are all different. People are people first, and my hope is that when this is all said and done, more people embrace this philosophy.

You are welcome to pass this on to anyone who may be interested. If you have a story to tell, please feel free to contact me. Even if you don't, send me an email letting me know what's on your mind. I will endeavor to answer every email promptly, but remember, I am a father and husband first, so it may take a day or two.

Thanks. And I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Mike Burgess
burge02c(at)duke(dot)edu
mike.burgess@alumni.duke.edu
OR
mike_burgess@comcast.net