Orange Socks is a forward thinking site developed to help families connect with others a Prenatal Diagnosis Support site that allows parents to actual hear audio recordings of parents sharing their stories and their experiences of a child with a diagnosis.

It was when I first began sharing my own story about Cedar, that I found the Orange Socks Instagram page. I actually think we hit Instagram right about the same time, I shared one of the first posts I wrote about Cedar there, it was 7 days before their website went live. (You can see my baby bump in one of their earliest posts). I love their mission and the back story behind the name, Orange Socks.

Why Orange Socks?

“A common question we get at Orange Socks is “Why do you call yourselves Orange Socks?” Here at Orange Socks, we wanted to develop a symbol that would not only be visible, but would also be a symbol that people would embrace and wear with pride. Many different ideas were considered until one day we learned the story of a mysterious woman who was murdered and discarded off the side of the road. She had no identification on her and the only distinctive thing about her was that she was wearing orange socks. That was 40 years ago and to this day, law enforcement still doesn’t know who she is and simply refer to her as “orange socks”. To us, her story is symbolic of people with disabilities and conditions who are discarded prior to birth because of the disability or condition. In her honor as well as those of whom we will never know, Orange Socks was born, to be the voice and advocate of unborn children with disabilities and lifelong conditions.”

What I didn’t know though was the “why.” Why did they decide to launch this awesome site? I had to know so I reached out and asked, I discovered some awesome information. For one, Gerald, the man behind the idea, has a daughter with Down Syndrome. His impetus was to help connect families during the prenatal phase when so many fears abound.

Gerald, tell me a little bit about yourself personally.

I was born in a small town in Southern Utah, the youngest of five children. I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University in psychology and school psychology, respectively, and my doctorate in Management of Nonprofit Organizations from Capella University. I am the father of eight children, my youngest has Down syndrome. I am the founder of, what is now, a large nonprofit organization (RISE Services, Inc.) supporting people with disabilities in three states (Oregon, Utah, Arizona) as well Acumen, an organization providing employer fiscal agent services in 16 states. My latest initiative is Orange Socks, which has become my greatest passion. All my children are grown and out the door except my youngest with Down syndrome.

How are you personally connected to the Down Syndrome Community?

I have been a professional in the field of disabilities for 35 years. I have a child with Down syndrome who is 15 years old. I am a board member of the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation.

Did you learn of your child’s diagnosis pre or postnatally?

We learned at her birth. I diagnosed her Down syndrome upon her entry into the world.

What supports were available to you when she was born?

She did not need medical support after birth. She had no heart or other issues common among people with Down syndrome. When she got a little older we were supported by an early intervention provider, receiving Occupational Therapy support and at 3 she attended preschool.

Many of us, after learning of the diagnosis, feel a need to help educate others, what did her diagnosis do to you as far as inspiration?

After I got over the shock and I reoriented my thoughts, I found myself naturally assuming the advocate role. I educated the neighborhood school that she should attend with her peers and not be placed in a segregated setting. I was shocked how resistant they were.

What has having a child with DS done for your life?

My career became personal. I became one of “them,” a parent of a child with a disability. I was welcomed into the “community” by others, who became my trusted friends because they knew what it was really like. After the birth of my daughter and I could now empathize, not just sympathize, with other parents with children with disabilities.

How are you different now than before having a child with DS?

I am a better person. I have a greater understanding. I realize now that all of us have some sort of limitation, and that all of us together create the fabric of a diverse society.

Can you tell me about your daughter with DS, what is she like, how old is she, what is she up to?

My daughter will be 16 in June. She is typical of girls her age idealizing various pop stars and enjoying the company of boys. She is assertive and confident most of the time. She is regimented and at times OCD but that makes her fun and funny to be around. She has a sense of humor and is loved by her siblings and the members of our church congregation. She is difficult to understand when she speaks and sometimes when she can’t make herself understood will spell the words out so she gets her message across. She loves life and somehow people feel better about life and themselves after spending time with her. That is her gift.

Tell me a little bit about what led you to launch the orange socks site, (the personal reason you decided to branch out from DS to all abilities/disabilities)…

Babies with Down syndrome and Spina Bifida are often diagnosed in-utero, and if discovered in a pre-natal screen, are currently being aborted the majority of the time nationwide. I started Orange Socks to provide an alternate voice to these parents who are only receiving advice from their doctors to abort their baby when a diagnosis of disability is discovered. I wanted to provide a forum where prospective parents could learn from other parents who have a child with a similar diagnosis. I wanted parent-to-parent contact so challenges and joys of having such a child could be conveyed.

There are many disabilities that can’t be or weren’t detected in-utero, and many parents are seeking advice, so, the concept has expanded to include all kinds of disabling conditions. I have been a professional for 35 years, and honestly, Orange Socks is the best work I have ever done. I am learning so much from parents who are celebrating the joys of their children with disabilities regardless of whether the child lived an hour or is 50 and will outlive them.

Does your child have siblings and if so are they also involved in educating the world about DS?

My daughter with Down syndrome has five older sisters and two older brothers. The siblings are all kinder people, and more understanding, because of their younger sister. I have a daughter who married a man with a four-year-old son with Down syndrome, who was initially attracted to him because of his son. I shudder to think how differently my children might have turned out if they hadn’t had a younger sister with Down syndrome.

What is the advice you would give a new parent faced with a Down Syndrome diagnosis?

You may not feel like it now, but your child with Down syndrome will become one of the greatest joys in your life, and the life of your family. This child will be the best blessing you didn’t think you needed. It took me four years to work through these three phases (my wife took about a day), and so will you: Why me? Why not me? And, Thank God it was me.

You can see some amazing stories on their site www.orangesocks.org. I am sure that like me, Gerald would count it an honor if he ever learned that his efforts helped even one mom choose life for her child instead of the alternative. I know that is my hope as well as encouraging other families as they walk this path.