The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 58

Down's Syndrome parents organize By Suzanne Kridner Diane Crutcher received: a visit from her pediatrician the day after her daughter, Mindie, was born in a Twin City hospital. He told her in front of her roommate that Mindie was a mongoloid and there was nothing that could be done for her. She hadn't seen her baby. "He said I not to even ask any questions. Just take her home and love her.

I had to tell my husband," said Mrs. Crutcher of Ellsworth. "It was a very traumatic experience." Penny Schimpler of Normal was in a- military hospital in Maryland when her son, Michael, was born 16 months ago, about the same time as Mindie. Her doctor first told her husband that the child had Down's Syndrome, called mongolism by many people, and together they told Mrs. Schimpler.

The same day a couple whose first child had Down's Syndrome visited the Schimplers in the hospital and answered questions they had about their son's handicap. Had counseling 'The Schimplers were luckier than most parents of Down's Syndrome babies. They had an understanding physician and immediate counseling. An organization has been formed in the Twin Cities to help parents of Down's Syndrome children and to raise money for research to find a cause and cure for the condition. The group will meet at 7:30 p.m.

Friday at the community building at Lancaster Heights in Normal. Mrs. Schimpler and Mrs. Crutcher said they have found great strength in each other, in discussing their problems and their children. They are trying to reach parents of Down's Syndrome children, estimated at more than 50 families in the Twin City area, so they can benefit from each other's experiences.

"It would have been much easier if we had an organization when Mindie was born," said Mrs. Crutcher. All she had at the time was a hopeless feeling. No one gave her any advice or encouragement. "We can find some security with others in the same situation and talking out our problems," said Mrs.

Crutcher. Extra chromosome Down's Syndrome is the scientific name for the anomaly first called mongolism by Dr. J. Langdon H. Down in 1866.

In 1959, Jerome Lejeune and other French scientists discovered that the immediate cause of Down's Syndrome is an extra 21st chromosome, giving the person with Down's Syndrome 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46. Because of vague facial resemblance of such a child to the Asian races, he was described as a "mongol," and the terms mongolism and mongoloid were used. Mrs. Schimpler said Asians are offended by the term, so now they call their children Down's Syndrome children. "There is a great deal of apathy toward retardation in general and also Down's Syndrome," said Mrs.

Crutcher. "We want to let parents know we are available to talk to them in the hospital." Both Michael and Mindie attend the infant stimulation program at MARC Center. They first went once a week for exercises and now go once a month. No one helped Mrs. Crutcher said they found out about the MARC Center program after looking in the phone book and calling the Department of Mental Health.

Neither of the children is far behind other 16-month-olds. They both crawl and stand and appear nearly ready to walk. Their mothers started them on leg Keystone Daughsis Klub sets business meeting Keystone Daughsis Klub will have a business meeting and social hour at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the home of Mrs. Arthur Bishop, 1313 E.

Oakland. Taking reservations are Mrs. Dean Elliott, Mrs. Herbert Bekermeier, Mrs. Albert Myers and Mrs.

Pauline MacNab. WIG AND HAIRPIECES TRADE- IN SALE 25 to 50 Off Regular Price Except Eva Gabor Line WIG SALON HOURS: Mon. Fri. 10 to 9 p.m. Tues.

thru Thurs. 10 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday 10 to 5:30 p.m. Colonial Plaza--Just West of K-Mart Plenty Free Parking at our front door 1500 E. Empire Bloomington McCambridges celebrating 60th year Mr.

and Mrs. Frank McCambridge of 509 E. Market are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today. The former Sarah Maloney and McCambridge were married April 14, 1915, in Holy Trinity Church. A family dinner is being held.

McCambridge was employed by the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad as a machinist for 50 years and retired in 1963. They are parents of two sons, Edmund F. of Chula Vista, and Thomas R. of 511 E. Market.

They have nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Lotz, Mapel vows read Grace United Methodist Church was the setting for the 1 p.m. wedding Saturday of Miss Linda Lotz of 604 E. Grove and Randy Mapel of 6 Felton Place. Parents of the couple are Mr.

and Mrs. Harold Lotz of Hayesville, N. and Mr. and Mrs. Wayne E.

Mapel of 6 Felton Place. Maid of honor was Sylvia Barton and bridesmaids were Sandy Lovell and Sue Browne, the bride's sister. Attending the bridegroom were Rod Woelfel as best man and Tim Nave and Scott Ferguson as groomsmen. Allan and Ronnie Mapel, the bridegroom's brothers, were ushers. A reception was held in the 1857 Room at Illinois State University Union.

Both are graduates of Bloomington High School. The bride is employed by Country Life Insurance Co. as a clerktypist and the bridegroom is employed by the U. S. Post Office as a postal carrier in Bloomington.

The couple was married on the wedding anniversary of the bride's grandparents, Mrs. Clara Lotz and the late Charles Lotz. Mrs. King reviewer for PEO Chapter CL Mrs. Jack King will review, "The Boy Who Invented the Bubble Gun," by Paul Gallico, when Chapter CL of PEO meets at 12:45 p.m.

Friday at the home of Mrs. Robert C. Underwood, 11 Kent Drive, Normal. Mrs. Lloyd M.

Bertholf will be assistant hostess. Pantagraph D-7 Bloomington-Normal, Ill. Apr. 13, 1975 For thrift Mrs. Verna Brubaker, at left, and Mrs.

Arlene Vincent, sale coordinators, organize some of the "prize" items to be sold at the Brokaw Service League's white elephant and what-not sale to be held this week. The trunk, quilt and glassware are among items to be sold. (Pantagraph Photo) Playful babies pushes at a very early age, because they have poor motor control. Their muscles won't develop without exercise. They also rotate their arms and pull the children off the floor to strengthen back and neck muscles.

"They don't have initiative," said Mrs. Schimpler. "We are their programmers." The majority of Down's Syndrome children are mildly to moderately retarded, said Mrs. Schimpler. They have potential and don't need to be in an institution where all they receive is custodial care.

When they reach school age, the children attend special education classes. Fifty of the 60 special education students in Bloomington schools have Down's Syndrome, said Mrs. Crutcher. people will think there is something wrong with you because you have a Down's Syndrome child," said Mrs. Crutcher.

Both women have had experiences in public, such as someone saying, "Look at that mongoloid baby." friend said she was surprised Mindie didn't look like a freak," said Mrs. Crutcher. "We get a lot of funny looks. People didn't come to visit us when we returned to Illinois," said Mrs. Schimpler.

Michael is their only child. "You run into all kinds of discouragements and problems," said Mrs. Crutcher. Many people just ignore her baby. As often happens in some families, the other children, such as the Crutchers' Miss La Petite contest slated A contest to select area winners of Our Little Miss and Miss La Petite will be held at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16, at Western Avenue Community Center. Miss La Petite contestants will model sportswear and a party dress. The winner will be crowned by Stacie Hougham of Heyworth, the 1974 winner. It is open to girls ages 3 to 6. Heidi Huff of R.

R. 2, the 1974 Our Little Miss, will crown this year's winner. They will model sportswear, a party dress and give a three-minute talent presentation. Contestants must be ages 7 to 12. Information is available from Mrs.

James Huff, R. 2, or Mrs. Doris DeWild, Box 1842, Rockford, Ill. 61110. Mindie Crutcher and Michael enjoy each other's company while held by their mothers, Mrs.

Crutcher, left, and Mrs. Schimpler. (Pantagraph Photo) other daughter, Amie, are tionally bright. Friends will ask about Amie and mention Mindie, she said. Some embarrassed "People don't know how to act and are embarrassed, even though we're not embarrassed.

"We've ended some relationships because they were just too uncomfortable." The Crutchers put on Mindie's birth announcements that she is a Down's Syndrome child and asked for several weeks to adjust before visitors came. "You need time to work out the situation in your own mind and with your husband," said Mrs. Crutcher. "We don't know how she will be in the future. It's something we have to live with." A Down's Syndrome child can be born to anyone, said Mrs.

Schimpler. Many persons feel it is a reflection on their family, but it's a genetic disorder that can't be corrected, said Mrs. Crutcher. "We don't want any parents to suffer like we did," she said. "There is a constant strain of one type or another in caring for a Down's Syndrome child.

We also have other family responsibilities. "You wonder if you should stay home or take them out. Especially since they are more likely to get upper respiratory infections and other problems." Both infants are on supplemental vitamin therapy because their bodies don't absorb enough vitamins. Michael has had a hernia operation and both have been hospitalized with pneumonia. Many Down's Syndrome children have heart, defects and other medical problems.

Both mothers are editors of a Down's Syndrome newsletter sent monthly to 3,000 parents and professionals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The newsletter was organizaed by a Maryland resident who is organizing one major group for Down's Syndrome parents. They also are members of the McLean County Chapter of National Association for Retarded Citizens, which meets every third Monday at the MARC Center. They are on a committee for that group, which is compiling a newsletter for McLean County. A parents' group sale will be April 25- 27 at 316 Riley Drive with proceeds to go to the McLean County Chapter for Down's Syndrome International.

Introducing Charlene who would like to invite all of her new and old friends to call her at the Golden Hair Pin. Charlene will be happy to give you a Soft Natural Wave Charlene for the Spring Season. open 828-1541 Golden Salon Hair The 701 N. Beauty Evans-Bloomington Pin Schimpler being Bill Stephen excep- never White elephant sale to benefit Brokaw Brokaw Service League's white elephant and what-not sale will be held Tuesday through Saturday at the "Things Unlimited" Thrift Shop, 221 E. Front.

Among the large items for sale will be two large antique trunks, an electric lawn mower and handmade baby quilts. Vases and giftwares have been donated by members. Mrs. Arlene Vincent and Mrs. Verna Brubaker are sale coordinators.

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