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The first and most common way that an infant is born with what is known as Trisomy 21 is as a result of faulty cell division. This results in an extra chromosome being included in the total of 46 (23 pair of chromosomes) resulting in the total being 47 chromosomes.

This form is called non-dysfunctional and is found to be the cause of Down syndrome in ninety four percent of births where the syndrome is present.

Almost four percent of infants born with Downs have what is referred to as translocation which occurs when the extra chromosome is accidently created during the process of the seed and the egg formation. This is called meiosis.

This happens when an extra chromosome during this process attaches itself to the pair of chromosomes known as the 21^st pair. This chromosome usually comes from the pair identified as the 14^th pair.

And finally in two to six percent of Down syndrome births there is a category known as mosaicism. This takes place due to an erroneous cell division after conception thus setting itself apart from other two methods of Trisomy 21 which can and do only occur prior to conception.

This category is the most ambivalent of the three since these babies have both normal as well as non dysfunctional cell division after conception. This will result in a baby with a combination of normal cells as well as Trisomy 21 cell groups. Often mental retardation is not as pronounced in these babies.

After reading this most parents will think well here is a ray of hope. Not exactly and here then is the source of

ambivalence.

This form of Down syndrome is a double edge sword. That is to say that while often the children have a milder form of retardation or are actually normal in intelligence this is also the source of the worst case scenarios. Even worse than the other more commonly known forms.

This of course all depends upon the location and types of cell division.

Despite the fact that medical science has made these astonishing discoveries we must keep in mind that this is none-the-less a Tzelem Elokim or a person created in the image of G-d.

We are all human. We all have our hopes and dreams and desires. We are all easily frustrated when an obstacle prevents us from achieving our goals.

Having a baby born less than perfect can be perceived as that obstacle. Most babies relinquished at birth are given away because the families say they cannot cope.

This is a rationalization. Rationalizations should not be confused with rational thought.

These excuses are not reasons and the self pity is not justification for giving up.

Families can cope if they chose to cope. Families can opt for an easy way out if they opt not to cope.

There is one common denominator within each of us and that is the Nefesh Elokus (the G-dly soul). This is the Devine connection. Love your fellow as yourself.

On the physical level we are all different. Our bodies are all different and separate.

It is the soul within us that is the same. It is on this level that we must understand what has just occurred in our lives. It is this true long term relationship that we are now required to explore and understand.

This is the recognition of our commonality no matter how we may appear to the world outside.

Our bodies serve a purpose. However we cannot depend upon our bodies for real attachments to occur in our lives. For if we do we are then doomed to superficial relationships that are ultimately unfulfilled or worse without meaning.

The real choices then are to either dwell within the Oneness that is the connection between all of us or to reject that and, G-d forbid, embrace the notion that it is possible to be personally exalted with the insight and ability to cause separation because of physical differences.

To accept the concept of Oneness is to embrace and recognize Ahavas Yisroel (the love of your fellow). This level of acceptance is not because he or she is physically appealing but rather acceptance is predicated upon the notion that HaKadosh BaruchHu is the common denominator. We were all created ex nihilo by the One.Looking deep inside at a moment of definition or a moment of challenge we realize what makes us the same. We all have secrets that we think no one else has. We all feel insecurities that we believe are unique to ourselves. When we really examine our surroundings it is abundantly clear that we are all deeply immersed in our own deeply personal hidden agendas.

Becoming strong means making decisions that are correct for you not decisions that meet the expectations of others.