My name is Hannah and I am 34 years old. I am a sister, a daughter, adopted, and I have Down syndrome and autism. I love necklaces, music, karaoke and dancing. And I love hands–holding hands, touching hands, playing with my hands or yours. So many hands so little time. I’m Hands DOWN Hannah!

The main thing we would like everyone know is if you know one person with Down syndrome (DS), you know one person with DS. Every person who has DS is different, just like the rest of the population. Our personalities and abilities are as individual as we are. 

I am nonverbal and do my best to communicate. Everyone interprets my actions differently. Those who know me best understand that they will never really know exactly what I’m trying to express. They do their best to figure it out. I love lots of attention, music, “singing” karaoke, dancing in my own special way, swings, food, especially Pringles potato chips, necklaces, and hands as I mentioned above.

I have no hearing in one ear and a mild loss in the other. I also have no vision in one eye and an undetermined loss in the other due to cataract removals followed by retinal detachments (and re-attachments). I’ve had many eyes surgeries, but I get around well once I know the environment (except in the dark because I can’t see well in low light and become very frightened). 

Although I’m nonverbal, I make vocalizations, hum, smile, scream, laugh, cry, use some sign language, lead people to what I want, have used communication cards, and have a variety of ways to express my desires or needs.  Some of the signs I know are more (works for my love of food), sorry, thank you, please, and a few others.

I love a routine. It can throw my entire day off by not fully preparing me for change. This past year I have really come “out of my shell” and am willing to try new activities and go to new places. Some of the places and things that really used to bother me I’m managing to tolerate with less anxiety much of the time. These include loud, sudden noises, the dogs barking, grocery stores, shopping malls, crowds, or public places like museums, restaurants, the zoo, and other locations where there are many people, noise and rapid change.

I am NOT afraid of strangers and see them as an opportunity to get to do things I otherwise am unable. For the love of hands alone I will easily wander off with just about anyone. But, my family has been teaching me to leave other people’s hands alone because they belong to them. I do not like this rule, so when I encounter a stranger the first thing I will do is take their hands, and see if I can get away with it. As you can imagine, my mom worries about this.

I love, love, love music! I like to be in charge of the music which is why I used to have my own mp3 player with me (with built in speakers). Lately mp3 players have been difficult to find, but someone usually lends me their phone with music. I also like the karaoke machine and love to “sing”, which sounds to other people like humming and other vocalizations, into the microphone. I always wear a necklace because it gives me something to do with my hands and helps keep me out of trouble! I also love big sunglasses and goofy things in my hair.

I LOVE to eat! When I’m not eating you can find me in my backyard on my swing listening to music. I also enjoy swimming, horseback riding, dancing, and bouncing up and down (on the floor or the trampoline). I like to walk outside, but when I’m done I’m done, and I will sit down anywhere I am. I also love to snuggle on the couch with my dogs when they are calm. Let’s get to know each other!

From my heart and hands to yours, Hannah

This is Hannah’s bio from her former website. She joined our family through adoption at the age of eight and had endured much disruption throughout the previous years. Her adoption into our home was a challenge for all of us, and not without its own trauma. Not every adoption is a smooth transition. Often times just the opposite. Everything changes for the adoptee, and the adoptive family, and adjustments and adapting come at their own pace. Each person’s adoption story is different and very personal to them. Some share their stories freely while others keep them private. We will be sharing some of the bits and pieces we know that we feel may help others to understand adoption, especially as it pertains to special needs.