Diana Early, PT, PhD is a physical therapist who has been practicing for 32 years and has been a pediatric specialist since 2011. She has practiced in a variety of settings including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and internationally in cross-cultural contexts. She currently works providing outpatient physical therapy services at Children’s Health in Dallas, Texas. She also serves as a research facilitator for the rehabilitation department at Children’s Health. Diana is the daughter of an English teacher and had a childhood dream of being a writer. She finds both writing and music to be excellent outlets for creative expression.
In this expressive poem, Dr. Diana Early gives an authentic voice to the experiences of parents of children born with Down syndrome. Drawing upon her research into the lives of families, she chronicles “the fight” these parents endure to gain what others take for granted.