Two local mothers have banded together to try and offer support and encouragement for families of children born with Down's syndrome.

Selina Edwards and Shirley Lodge have teamed up to found Bermuda Kids with Down's syndrome after both discovered that there was little support on the Island for children with the condition or their families.

The pair are starting to fundraise for the new venture by running in the 10K during International Race Weekend, on January 18 to January 20.

Three months into her pregnancy, Mrs. Edwards, of Sandys, was told by her doctor that the baby had Down's syndrome, a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, and often leads to mental retardation. It affects one in every 800 babies born.

She said she tried to find groups offering support locally but ended up liaising with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in New York. Then at a cousin's wedding, Mrs. Edwards met Mrs. Lodge. She said: "I noticed this Down's syndrome little boy running around at the wedding and I watched to see who he went to."

It was Mrs. Lodge and the two mums began to share stories and came up with the idea of starting a support group.

Part of the proceeds from their charity run will go to the Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children, a group which provides support for handicapped children, based in Hamilton, and the Bermuda Autism Support and Education (BASE), which work with a few Down's syndrome children who also have Autism.

"The goal for starting Bermuda Kids with Down's syndrome is to educate the community on Down's syndrome and to be a support to those who find it challenging. We would also like to send others away on training courses to learn more about the disability," said Mrs. Edwards.

Mrs. Edwards, an American Airlines ticket agent, said her nurse's aide background had been a great help in dealing with her son, Trudell, who is six months old, but who is at the developmental stage of a four-month-old.

Mrs. Edwards, who also has an 18-year-old daughter and a five-year-old daughter recognises there are many challenges to raising a child with Down's syndrome, which can lead to a Patent Arterial Duct (hole in the heart), a non-contagious and reoccurring cold, slower development and massive appetites which have to be monitored as the child cannot detect when they are full.

Trudell is in a stable day care with only two other children and receives the attention needed for quality of life. "Children with Down's syndrome can have a fulfilling life if given the necessary love and attention," said Mrs. Edwards. "My daughters and my extended family help me out a lot."

Mrs. Lodge, a warehouse assistant supervisor at BGA, is the foster mother of five-year-old Nihziri Smith, who has been in foster care since he was 18-months-old.

"They didn't detect his Down's syndrome until he was three months old and he had a young mother who couldn't deal with it," said Mrs. Lodge.

Nihziri has two holes in his heart and asthma. "That doesn't stop him from being very active, you would think there is nothing wrong with him, he is on no meds besides Ventolin for his asthma and has a clean bill of health," added Mrs. Lodge.

Mrs. Lodge, who has been a foster mother for 25 years, said she receives financial support from Social Services for Nihziri so she has decided not to formally adopt him.

She has adopted other children and currently has one other foster child in her care who is also five years old. "Nihziri's current developmental age is that of a three-year-old, but I love him so much, he is my heart." Nihziri currently attends Southampton Pre-school.

* If anyone would like to participate for to their International Race Week event or make a donation or if you would just like additional support dealing with those with Down's syndrome you can contact: Mrs. Edwards on 234-6160 or email: selina@northrock.bm or Mrs. Lodge on 234-2703 or email ss_lodge@hotmail.com.