I hate to do this especially in the current economic client so if you can't afford it please ignore this.

It costs about $600 a year to run this site. With medical bills and Beth going off to college, things are a little tight. If you can afford a couple of bucks, there is a button in the lower right corner of each page to donate something for running the site. If you can't afford to donate and you happen to be buying from amazon, if you use the ad at the top of the page we get a small percentage of what you buy even if it isn't for what is in the ad. As it is we have been getting very little from amazon. We used to get a little more from the google ads but I found them to be mostly either offensive or companies trying to get money from parents of disabled children so I dropped them.

Don't worry about the site going down. No matter what we will continue to pay for keeping it running. Even though I don't post much this is still our baby and seeing people being helped is more than making up for the cost. So like I said at the beginning, don't worry about it if you can't afford anything or if you just don't want to donate. I don't want anyone to feel the slightest bit uncomfortable.

Thanks. All of you are wonderful and this site wouldn't be what it is if it wasn't for you.

_________________
Tom

Dad to Beth (17) and Mikey (13 - Ds and PDD-NOS)
My Blog - Random Thinking
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Twitter as tgpaul

I just sent a little something . This site has been a such a big part of my journey....I can't thank you and your family enough!! Can Beth really going off to college already!

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Lisa - Mommy to Elayna 10-1-02 and Daniel (Ds) 6-7-05
Always have hope....Without rain, there can be no rainbows.

Thanks for posting this. I always wondered what it cost to keep this site running. I made a small donation. You should post this request a couple times a year to remind us to donate. Thank you for downsyn!!!!

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"There's a release in knowing the truth no matter how anguishing it is. You come finally to the irreducible thing, and there's nothing left to do but pick it up and hold it. Then, at least, you can enter the severe mercy of acceptance." Sue Monk Kidd

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can make a difference, in fact it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Meade

Ann, married to Tim, mom to Sally, Mark, Jane, John (12/02, DS), Paul and Alice

www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnbremer

Annieo wrote:

Thanks for posting this. I always wondered what it cost to keep this site running. I made a small donation. You should post this request a couple times a year to remind us to donate. Thank you for downsyn!!!!

Here, here.....I truly have no clue what I would do with out DownSyn and all the wonderful friends here. Thank you Tom for all you do.

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~Christine~
Mom of 6
Brandon ADD/ADHD 17, Chelsea 14, Connor 12, Logan 6, Cody 4 & Austin 1 ( DS & Hirschsprungs pull through 12/8/08 )
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/austinpaquin

Thank you so much. And if you can't send us anything your prayers and good thoughts are always appreciated.

_________________
Tom

Dad to Beth (17) and Mikey (13 - Ds and PDD-NOS)
My Blog - Random Thinking
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Twitter as tgpaul

I gave a small amount and would love to give more if I could. This site is very important to me! Thanks so much.

_________________
Lorene in MI
Wife to Thad
Mom to Mackenna (6/1/97) Tanner (2/12/99) Ashton (3/8/01) and Sienna (7/14/09)
http://vimeo.com/6835028

Thank you, Tom for this great community! This site has been so helpful.

I didn't realize the amazon link would work no matter what you buy. I thought it had to be that item. I'll keep that in mind for the future.

Sending a little your way . . .

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Melissa & Jason
Matthew (DS) and Zachary

Thanks so much for such an amazing site, Tom. It has been like a lifeline to me, and I would hate to lose it. I always do my amazon shopping through DownSyn, although I obviously haven't been doing enough shopping, have i? ( I'll tell the hubby it's for a good cause.) I will also be glad to donate to DownSyn's "upkeep".

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Maresa,
Mom to Alisa (10-29-2008) DS, complete AV canal repair on 3-6-09

Of course! Thanks so much for letting us know. DownSyn has meant so much to us and we're happy to support all the work you do to keep it going.

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maggie
wife to brian, mama to emlyn (12/18/06)



Support DS research with your tax refund!
www.rebateforresearch.org

I just feel the need to say that I have been here 10 years, and this is the first time that Tom has ever mentioned anything about the costs for this site - publicly or privately. It has never been a topic among the Moderators. I have always wanted to know, but since he never made it an issue, considered it his personal information. It still is, so I'm also prompted to say this:
Thank you for letting us know. Of course many of us can help support this site. I know that the last thing you'd ever want to do is make anyone uncomfortable about being here. I know that that will continue.
Jeff

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Nature goes her own way and all that to us seems an exception is really according to order.
-Goethe

Thanks for asking and thanks for being here.

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Mary, mom to twins:
Isaac (DS) and William b. 6-23-2006

Can't imagine a world without Downsyn........happy to give a little something........and thankyou, thankyou, thankyou for everything you do

_________________
Jo, Mum to Georgia 11/11/03 ( BIG High School Musical fan) and Ethan 16/12/07 (DS)

Thank you so much for this site. It has been wonderful for me!! Even if everyone could give 5 dollars (one less latte it would lighten your load. Sending a little your way!

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Stephanie Hakes, mother to Abby born 5/6/07
Reed 9/21/09

Tom,
Happy to give - are you kidding me? This place has been such a source of encouragement and wisdom for me. I'm sorry it isn't more but please let us know the running total of what you have received so I can add more if needed!!
~Lauri

_________________

I, also, did not realize the amazon link would send a little back this way...will keep this in mind!!!!

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Tom, I'm so glad you asked! Please don't be shy about asking for donations -- I do marketing for a living and have often wondered what's involved in keeping the site running. This forum has been so helpful to me on my journey and it is one of the best investments I can think of

Keep up the great work!

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Sandy, momma to Lucas "the bean" (10/15/06)

Well we shop at Amazon almost monthly, so I will remember to click the ad before I place an order from now on. Thanks for all you do running this site!

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Kim. Wife to Ray, Mommy to Charlie (DS) 1/2006 & Calvin 3/2008
http://charlies47.blogspot.com/

There is more than one way to have a good life!

Thank you! You guys are all great!

_________________
Tom

Dad to Beth (17) and Mikey (13 - Ds and PDD-NOS)
My Blog - Random Thinking
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Twitter as tgpaul

I didn't know why the Amazon link was there either. I buy a lot of books from Amazon. I ordered my last book by clicking on the link first. Now I'll do it every time I place an order.