Encuentro del padre con su hijo con síndrome de Down: sufrimiento y empatía 1

A qualitative hermeneutical historical research design involving 20 parents, aged between 32 and 60 years of age with children with DS was employed. The parents of the children with DS from the the Department of Pediatrics and Child Care of the University of Antioquia program were interviewed in focus groups and with semi-structured interviews. Participants reported that the diagnosis of the disease was unexpected, and generated a sense of being overwhelmed and suffering. The father of a child with DS, independent of his own suffering, assumes a position of strength to accompany the mother in the process.