Thank you for visiting the Down Syndrome Association of San Antonio website. I am Clarice Caldwell, the DSA’s Festivities Chairperson. That’s “Texan” for party planner. I have the pleasure of organizing the Christmas party, summer picnic, and appreciation dinners for all the incredible families and volunteers involved with the Down Syndrome Association of San Antonio. Actually, the DSA is an extended family, and several people help coordinate these events. I could not do it without them.

I am employed with San Antonio Independent School District as Itinerate Support personnel. I have been married to David Caldwell for 20 years, and we have three phenomenal daughters. Our oldest, Olivia, was born in 1994. She is an excellent big sister, who I believe was even more excited than Grandma to find out we were expecting. Ten years, one month, and one day later we were blessed with a set of twins, Mary Jaden and Ethelea.  Mary, our middle child, by a minute, has Down syndrome. We thank God Mary is mild-mannered because she is an excellent role model for her younger sister, who has the attitude of the original DIVA reincarnated. All three of our children were blessed with perfect health. We didn’t know before the twins were born that Mary had DS. Our ultrasounds showed two beautiful baby girls growing perfectly, all praise to God. Unfortunately, I developed preeclampsia and was hospitalized for the 40 days before I delivered. I felt cheated out of being able to waddle in public, with the pride only a mother has. But that was erased the day my blood pressure shot through the roof, and I was only a few feet from the delivery room (5 weeks before my due date). Mary was born blue. Her team of doctors said there was so much fluid in her lungs that she must be destined to be a swimmer. Like most new parents of children with DS, we researched everything we could about the syndrome. We found most information outdated. This is one reason I am so glad you have chosen to research DSA of San Antonio. We have a great network of families who have years of experience and are willing to share it. I would like to say congratulations! You have been blessed with a new life. “CELEBRATE!”  Don’t let anyone steal your child’s thunder. Your child will be who you help them to become, NOT what statistics say he/she will be. People with Down syndrome are individuals. They are sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, aunts, Godparents, and they are beautiful, loving, compassionate, head strong, funny and a million other adjectives. They have a purpose, just like you.
Thank you for choosing to visit the DSA website. Please feel free to contact me.