The perfect teaching tool for Special Educators, doctors, and other medical professionals

When Donna Moore, the founder of Downi Creations, Inc. worked as a Special Education teacher and program administrator, she was aware of the problem every day. In the average Special Education classroom, children with Down syndrome represent a large percentage of the students. (Statistics confirm that one in 800 births worldwide is a Down syndrome birth.) In spite of these facts, there still exists surprisingly little educational support or public awareness programs to help the families or the general public to better understand and deal positively with people with Down syndrome. Down Syndrome Originals© were created to help close this troubling knowledge gap. Each doll was carefully designed to reflect the special beauty of babies with Down syndrome by faithfully representing the 13 features of Down syndrome: 1. Almond-shaped eyes 2. Flattened bridge across nose 3. Small mouth 4. Slightly protruding tongue 5. Small ears with a fold at the top 6. Ears set low on the head 7. Flattened back of head 8. Shortened fingers 9. Pinkie finger curves inward 10. Horizontal crease in palm of hand 11. Shortened toes 12. A gap between the first and second toes 13. An incision in the chest to indicate open-heart surgery Down Syndrome Originals© dolls are used to close the knowledge gap in the following situations: A. Expectant and New Parents. Obstetricians use our beautiful dolls to educate parents about Down syndrome. The hospital staff of maternity wards and their OB/GYN clinics also use our dolls to educate. Being able to hold our soft, huggable, 19-inch dolls, parents can experience first-hand what their child will look like as the doctor or nurse points out each distinct Down syndrome characteristic. Fear and ignorance are quickly replaced with understanding and anticipation. At the same time, parents learn that our dolls can be an invaluable toy for their child and are given product brochures for ordering. When parents buy a Down Syndrome Originals© doll, they are ensuring that their child has a positive role model as a playmate. Instead of just playing with unrealistic Barbies or GI Joes, their child has a playmate that "looks just like them." Their "toy" is transformed into a powerful self-esteem builder, making every moment of play a wonderful moment of learning that the child is an important part of their world, not an outsider. B. Medical Schools. Students have the opportunity to study and better understand the chromosomal disorder of Down syndrome when professors illustrate with our realistic dolls. C. Special Education Classrooms. Teachers use our dolls as a teaching tool to explain Down syndrome. Most of the time, our dolls are there to be self-esteem building playmates for the children. Teachers keep a supply of our product brochures for parents. NEWS! We are proud to announce that photographs of our Down Syndrome Originals© dolls have been chosen to illustrate Down syndrome in "Introduction to Special Education: Teaching in an Age of Opportunity, Fifth Edition," a college textbook by Deborah Deutsch Smith. Enjoy a 10% Professional Discount! Doctors, nurses, Special Ed professionals... Save $17.49 on your next purchase of a Down Syndrome Originals© doll. On-line Secure Order Form Order toll-free 888-749-9330 or Fax your order on your letterhead to 803-749-2752 We welcome MasterCard and Visa. Downi Creations, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to promote the awareness and understanding of the chromosomal disorder of Down syndrome.