Unexpected Joys: Raising Child With Down Syndrome

READING, Pa. -- Janet Albert-Herman chose positivity when her son Matthew was born with Down syndrome.
She chose to work harder when, two months before Matthew was born, her then-husband left her. She reopened her decorating business to provide for her two kids, and the third, who was on the way.
The Brecknock Township mom chose legal action when Matthew, now 27, was shuffled between special classrooms at whichever school might decide to take him any given year.
Following her son's example, she chose happiness.
And she revels in the joy she chose - the special, unexpected joy that many parents of Down syndrome children often experience.
Now that people with Down syndrome are living to the average age of 60 - an increase from 25 in 1983, according to the National Down Syndrome Society - their parents sometimes earn an unexpected lifetime job.