Up, Not Down Syndrome

“once in a great while, there is a book that speaks directly to your heart. it uplifts you and pulls you in with a compelling story and a message that changes how you think. in Up, Not Down Syndrome, Nancy Schwartz shares her real-life story of giving birth to Alex, her son whose challenges and struggles catapulted her and her family into a whole new world and a whole new perspective on life. She shares her inner struggles, the real life drama of what happened, and her family’s breathtaking victories. It’s a story of learning to see the good, of gratitude, and growth. It’s a must-read for people of all ages with its universal message of hope and light and love.”

-- Susie Garber, Educator, Mother, Grandmother, Reporter, Speaker, and Author

“Up, Not Down Syndrome will challenge your notion that raising a differently-abled child is any sort of hardship. Instead, it is the great­est blessing bestowed upon us; we are not worthy. This book is a giant fist reaching into your chest, squishing your heart, changing every­thing you believed about parenting someone special. No non­sense storytelling but with Nancy’s beautifully sculpted soul gleaming through each page. Be prepared to meet and fall in love with Alex and his posse, even if you spill tears on each page.”

-- Paige Figi, Adventurer, Executive Director of Coalition for Access Now, Charlotte’s Web CBD

“‘how can i love an imperfect child?’ author nancy schwartz asks in her compulsively readable and heartwarming new book, Up, Not Down Syndrome. Through the pages of the book, Nancy learns that her new baby boy, Alex, will teach her how to love him and also how to embrace her new life in many happy and surprising ways. This is the story of one woman and one family embracing the challenges of raising a child with Trisomy 21 and finding that the daily battle of meet­­ing those challenges results in a deepening bond and richer under­­­standing of what it means to be human. Schwartz shows through­­out the book that she is a learner and she effectively shows readers how committing to learning about her child and from her child made all the difference. Along the way, she learns that Alex is a great teacher, but also a great learner himself. This is a joyful book about one woman’s and one family’s heroic journey and one little boy’s capacity to teach others lessons in life and love.”

— Russ Walsh, Rider University, Author of A Parent’s Guide to Public Education in the 21st Century

“nancy, it’s a wonder when someone does what you do, in Up, Not Down Syndrome—namely, puts a searchlight into the nooks and crannies of one’s own experience to shine the light of day on our shared humanity. And you offer many little ‘epiphanies&rsqu...

Nancy Schwartz has taught in Pennsylvania for twenty-six years. She holds certificates as an ESL program specialist, reading specialist, and elementary and early education educator. Nancy's undergraduate degree came from Temple University, and she attended graduate school at Saint Joseph's University. Nancy spent several summers studying at the Teachers College Columbia University, Reading and Writing Project. She enjoys ballet, reading, writing, art, fashion, animals, music, and, most of all, motherhood. This is her first book. You can find more photos and stories on her website www.UpNotDownBook.com.

introduction: the story of alex’s birth    1

Chapter 1 - Shock    11

Chapter 2 - Oxygen    31

Chapter 3 - Light    39

Chapter 4 - Living    45

Chapter 5 - Bumps    65

Chapter 6 - Boob    79

Chatper 7 - Up Bow, Down Bow    87

Chapter 8 - Architect    91

Bibliography    101

Acknowledgments    105

About the Author    107

Index    109