ANYONE who meets Maggie Hart could not fail to warm to the bubbly mother-of-three. Friendly and intelligent – it is clear why she is such a hit with the children and parents she teaches at the Education Centre for Children with Down’s Syndrome (ECCDS). Mrs Hart, 40, set up the charity in 2005 and since then it has gone from strength-to-strength.

In July, ECCDS moved from Darlington to the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. And it is from here – and an outreach service in Hexham – that Mrs Hart and a committed team of health and education specialists run regular classes and activities for youngsters with Down’s syndrome. At present, the charity works with 50 pre-school and school age children from across the North-East.

It is exciting times for ECCDS and, as its founder and chief executive, Mrs Hart could not be happier.

However, her personal journey has been far from easy.

On July 31 2004, Mrs Hart, a primary school teacher from Darlington, gave birth to her first son. Little baby Alex weighed nine pounds one ounce, had red hair just like his mum and Down’s syndrome. For Mrs Hart, who had no prior knowledge of the condition, the news was devastating.

At 32, she was not in a high risk age group and like many mums-to-be she had opted against tests for the extra chromosome that causes Down’s syndrome.

“It was such a shock,” she said. “I felt absolutely devastated, like my heart had been broken.”

DOWN’S syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects a baby’s normal physical development and causes learning difficulties.

It is a lifelong condition that develops while the baby is still in the womb. Statistics from the NHS show about one in 1,000 live births is affected by Down’s syndrome, with mothers over the age of 45 most at risk (one in 30).

Just hours after giving birth, Mrs Hart was told her new baby stood a higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s and heart disease.

“It was hard for the whole family to come to terms with but my mum and dad were absolutely amazing,” she said.

“My mum has a background in nursing and was a nurse at a special school in Darlington for many years. My dad also has experience of working in the field of mental health. They were both extremely positive and supportive.”

However, the words of a straight talking midwife proved the most poignant.

“One midwife defended Alex from the very beginning,” said Mrs Hart. “I remember saying ‘I can’t believe I have a Down’s syndrome baby’ and she turned to me and said ‘you have a baby Maggie that happens to have Down’s syndrome.’ “It made me feel ashamed.”

Within weeks of leaving hospital, Mrs Hart set about researching the condition.

She soon realised there was a lack of support for families in the North-East and was determined to change this.

Her resolve strengthened when she visited the headquarters of Down’s Syndrome Education International (DSEI) – a leading scientific research facility in Portsmouth.

For it was here that Mrs Hart met Professor Sue Buckley OBE – a chartered psychologist with more than 30 years experience in developmental disability.

Prof Buckley, whose eldest daughter has Down’s syndrome, was to become an inspiration for the new mum, who decided to utilise and expand her own teaching skills for the benefit of children like Alex.

When she returned home Mrs Hart set up a committee of parents, education and health professionals and embarked on a series of intense training courses, including qualifying as a Special Education Needs Co-ordinator.

THE committee initially formed a North- East branch of the DSEI but as demand grew they were advised to set up their own charity. Today, ECCDS provides a large range of educational services to help children develop and reach their full potential.

Depending on the age of the child, the sessions last for about 30 to 45 minutes and focus on speech and language development and signing to enhance communication, numeracy, literacy, social skills and behaviour.

Parents attend and learn alongside their children and sibling sessions ensure the whole family is included.

Mrs Hart also gives talks at universities and recently took part in a parliamentary working group on the education of children with Down syndrome.

“When the professional meets the personal you become very passionate,” she said. “I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to direct my teaching down a career path I wouldn’t have taken had Alex not arrived on the scene.

“He is a gorgeous little boy with a wicked sense of humour, who loves to watch DVDs and play with his younger brothers.

“All children with Down’s syndrome are different and we believe that a sound education is every child’s birthright.”

For more information on ECCDS, or to find out how you can support the charity, call 01325- 329939 or visit eccds.org.uk