A Delia area family is in the spotlight after being featured in a video celebrating the families served by the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society is marking it with its production Uniquely Me TV - The Power of X in XXI. This show is airing on CTV 2 on Saturday mornings through October. It is a 30-minute program and shares the stories of the unique lives of its families.
One of these families is the Clayholts. John and Nichole Clayholt are a farm family in the Delia area raising their daughters Clara, Addie, and their 11-month-old son Sloan who was born with Down Syndrome.
Nichole explains they called in the spring and shot the segment right away.
“It was a bit of a challenge because it is something very personal, but for a very wonderful cause that has been doing amazing things for us. It was a good share,” said Nichole.
Sloan was born six weeks early and was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, while staying in the NICU in Calgary.
Sloan has thrived and is meeting all his milestones, and last spring Nichole reached out to the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society to learn more about their services and offerings.
In March, they began setting up their services. Through the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society, they have been able to set up occupational therapy. They also set up physiotherapy, speech therapy, and behavioral therapy. They also provide family services and social experiences services, like camps and social nights.
“The Edmonton Down Syndrome Society is excited about the opportunity to broaden its reach to families through early intervention services as they can change a child’s developmental path and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities,” said Executive Director of the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society, Alan Clay.
Nichole says they have an exciting and ideal environment to raise Sloan, which includes a working grain farm, animals, and two protective sisters.
“Sloan is going to very much be exposed to a lot of wonderful things at the farm,” said Nichole.
“He has room to move, room to grow, and lots of little projects to be working on. We are integrating his therapies and activities into every day life. What better way to work on core strength than riding in a wheelbarrow?”
She is grateful for the services provided by the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society.
“They are very therapy focused, and because of our geography and COVID, they were willing to take us under their wing because services are harder to access out here.”
“It has been exciting for the family to see Sloan on TV. His Auntie has even given him the nickname ‘Hollywood.’ I think he is the first person in our family who has been on TV.”
