INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — At five months of age, Archie was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. His father, Matt Chernitsky, said when he was told of the diagnosis, he didn’t know where to turn.
“The feelings that I had knowing that my son had some type of disability and not knowing where to start were overwhelming,” said Chernitsky.
At the time, he found solace with a support group for fathers of children with Down Syndrome.
“It really put me at ease to see how close they are with their children and how their children are so involved with activities,” said Chernitsky. “They’re just normal kids. When a child is first diagnosed, I think that can be difficult to understand.”
Now, Chernitsky is hoping to pay it forward with a new support group called Pathways for Pops. Offered through the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio, the group aims to help fathers of children with developmental disabilities feel supported and included.
Funded through a state grant via the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Chernitsky said the group will meet once a month in various areas throughout Northeast Ohio.
More information on upcoming events can be found here: Pathways for Pops – Empowering Fathers – Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio or by contacting Matt Chernitsky through e-mail at matt@dsaneo.org.