ABOUT UNO MAS!
Welcome!
This website grew from my need for advice from other parents of children with Down Syndrome, as well as the feeling that I had some good tips to share. I found it very difficult to attend support group meetings because of the remote area where I lived. (Murrieta, CA). At that time, it meant an hour-or-two drive to the communities that hold such meetings. I needed great local information, AND I needed it when I had time to get to it! I felt that the internet provided a great means of supporting eachother and sharing the benefit of our experiences : very accessible and convenient.
When Casey was born 12years ago, I felt immersed in the world of Down syndrome. I met wonderful people and adorable children who were part of this "new world." I read everything I could find on the subject and went to every conference I could. I began to feel as though my family and I were part of an "exclusive club" that I had never known about before. I recognized that knowing smile, or act of kindness from a stranger that said "Yes, I see you are a member! Me too!"
I felt proud of my little Casey, and proud to be a member of his unique world. I wished there was a t-shirt I could buy for my son, or for myself that expressed this. That would be recognized by other people with Down Syndrome and their friends, and sent the message "Yes I do! I'm proud of it, you can introduce yourself, and ask me about it if you want to."
I never did find just the right shirt. So finally, I created it myself. The idea of representing chromosomes as chili peppers may seem a little ambiguous but I think people "in the club" will appreciate the humor. I hoped that the website would be a service to the community and the logo something that people with Down Syndrome would wear with a sense of pride. While I no longer "sell" Uno Mas logowear, I've made it available through Cafe Press. Each order will send a few dollars our way to support improvements to the website.
Shortly after this website hit the internet in 1998, I began receiving email from people in places I never expected. Folks all over the world seem to want to celebrate these glorious, unique and amazing people, and they felt that the upbeat Uno Mas attitude captured this energy. What began as an idea for a local, online support group grew into an international web of caring people offering support, advice and friendship to all parents of children with Down syndrome. A big goal of this site is to offer support to new and expectant parents in particular; and experienced parents are the best source of support.
Uno Mas now has 300 - 500 unique visitors from all over the world each day. Our site has grown into a lively and loving support group for people living with Down syndrome. Uno Mas regulars include people from across the United States, the UK, Singapore, Austrailia and all over the world. Thankfully, our site's costs and maintenance are now fully "member supported." The hard work of volunteer moderators and the generosity of financial sponsors is what keeps us able to handle the huge volume of visitors to the site each day. Be sure and check out the "Benefactors" page to learn who is volunteering their time and money to keep this website up and running.
As you may know, I never could have kept this site going on my own. The fact that it is still online, is due to the willingness of our visitors to volunteer their time and energy. I could have never imagined, 7years ago, what I was getting myself into when I started Uno Mas! But I also could have never imagined the generosity and kindness of strangers willing to help. But that's the lesson we've all learned from having a child with Down syndrome, isn't it? It's a beautiful thing!
I hope you enjoy the photos, discussion, and links you find here. This site is a continual work in progress. I'm so glad you found us. Check back often to see what's new!
Sincerely,
Michelle McIntosh
Editor & Founder of Uno Mas!
