The PADSDads Podcast

In this episode, Ben meets Karl who's Dad to two year old Orson.Karl has always wanted to be a Dad, and in this conversation he talks about how he became a parent through surrogacy. Interestingly, Karl talks about how thorough the surrogacy process is and some of the questions he and his partner Nick had to answer - including how they would feel if there was a chance of their child being born with Down syndrome.When during the pregnancy a chance of Down syndrome was raised, Karl talks about how it didn't faze him - he couldn't wait to be a Dad, and it really didn't matter to him. He talks about how Orson is constantly challenging other people's perception of Down syndrome and what people with Down syndrome can do, and how proud he is of his first son.This podcast has been created for Down Syndrome UK - you can find out more about them and their work at downsyndromeuk.co.ukYou can also search for "Positive About Down Syndrome" on social media - and if you'd like to meet some other Dads, search for the private PADSDads groups on Facebook.

In this episode of the PADSDads Podcast, Ben meets Rich Henshall who's Dad to two year old Asher.Asher was born seven weeks early, and it was after he was born that they found out about his Down syndrome diagnosis. Rich admits that the news, in his words, "took the wind out of our sails a bit, but 2 years on and we're finally finding our feet... It's been quite a journey!"This podcast has been created for Down Syndrome UK - you can find out more about them and their work at downsyndromeuk.co.ukYou can also search for "Positive About Down Syndrome" on social media - and if you'd like to meet some other Dads, search for the private PADSDads groups on Facebook.

In this episode Ben meets Jim, who's Dad to three year old Millie.Jim and his wife Louise were on holiday in Norfolk when Millie decided it was time to arrive - seven weeks before her due date. She was in NICU where the consultant suggested a blood test for Down syndrome which was confirmed a couple of days later.Jim admits that before Millie arrived, having a child with a disability "was probably one of the worst things I could think of happening". In this conversation, he talks about how his perception of having a child with additional needs has completely changed and about the fabulous bond he has with his daughter.This podcast has been created for Down Syndrome UK - you can find out more about them and their work at downsyndromeuk.co.ukYou can also search for "Positive About Down Syndrome" on social media - and if you'd like to meet some other Dads, search for the private PADSDads groups on Facebook.