Stuart

Stuart is an active, happy, ‘selfie-loving’ 16-year old with bucketloads of energy – but it wasn’t always this way.

Stuart was born with Down syndrome, which brings with it health challenges, including problems with sleeping.
Three years ago when he started falling asleep on the trip to school each day, his mum, Judy, knew further investigation was needed.

A referral to the respiratory team at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, and a sleep study later, Stuart was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea. This means he would stop breathing several times a night due to partial or complete blockage of his throat.

To treat the condition, Stuart began continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) treatment (which involves wearing an oxygen mask when he sleeps) and it has transformed his life.

“Since he started CPAP, Stuart is waking refreshed and stays awake all day. He is much more engaged at school and his learning has improved,” Judy said.

“He will sit still for much longer periods, has a lot more energy and is more interested in active pursuits. He used to be ready to go to bed by 7.30pm, but now stays up until 8.30pm – 9pm like other people his age.”

Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by someone having an extra chromosome in their cells – 47 instead of the usual 46 – and is the most common chromosome disorder. It involves some level of intellectual disability, developmental delay and learning difficulty.

However, Stuart says that having Down syndrome has never stopped him from doing anything.

“Sometimes it takes a while for me to think about or ‘get’ things, but give me time and I can do anything. Down syndrome is only part of who I am,” Stuart said.

Stuart is in Year 11 at school and loves technology and photography – both taking and looking at photos. He particularly likes taking selfies.

According to mum Judy, Stuart is the family’s ‘selfie king’ (see photo on right). “If he gets hold of a smartphone or iPad you can guarantee there will be a selfie on it when you get it back!” she said.

“Although Stuart has had a few health issues to date, we have overcome many of them. His vision and hearing are impaired, for example, and as a result he also has some problems with his speech, which can lead to frustration on one or both sides of a conversation. However, Stuart doesn’t let that hold him back. One day, when I couldn’t understand what he was saying, rather than getting annoyed he proceeded to spell out the words to me!”

“Stuart is amazing. Life is never dull and we wouldn’t have it any other way. The enjoyment and fulfilment of life with Stuart far outweighs any challenges.”