An article by Alba San Juan Gudiña
What is the first thing that crosses your mind if I say Down syndrome?
Probably, words like "disability" or "feeling sorry" cross your mind. And it is likely that you are thinking of kids... Although there are people of all ages with Down syndrome.
It is possible that you feel there is something wrong with them, and that they would be better if they did not have Down syndrome.
What is the first thing that crosses your mind if I say Down syndrome?
Probably, words like "disability" or "feeling sorry" cross your mind. And it is likely that you are thinking of kids... Although there are people of all ages with Down syndrome.
It is possible that you feel there is something wrong with them, and that they would be better if they did not have Down syndrome.
Since today is International Down Syndrome Day, (from now on, DS) I wanted to write this article to say that we have to change our mindset, the way we see DS.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with them, nor with the fact that they have DS.
Down syndrome is simply a genetic alteration consisting in the existence of an extra copy of chromosome 21 (or part of it), instead of the conventional two, and it is also called Trisomy 21.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with them, nor with the fact that they have DS.
Down syndrome is simply a genetic alteration consisting in the existence of an extra copy of chromosome 21 (or part of it), instead of the conventional two, and it is also called Trisomy 21.
I am not saying that they don't have any complications derived from DS, such as cardiac problems. What I am actually trying to say is that we have to leave behind our ableist way of thinking to stop feeling sorry for them, or what is even worse, the thought that they are not good enough to be integrated in society.
To be honest, I think we make it very difficult for them: most part of society makes erroneous assumptions about people with Down syndrome – they are unpredictable, uneducable, unemployable burdens on society.
To be honest, I think we make it very difficult for them: most part of society makes erroneous assumptions about people with Down syndrome – they are unpredictable, uneducable, unemployable burdens on society.
Therefore, people with DS face a double difficulty: those that come from DS itself and those derived from the way society thinks, that do not let them integrate into society, and intends to relegate them into the background, always as passive members, such as day-care users, and not active members of the work market: simple worker, access controller...
In this ableist world, we have to stop excluding those who are different in any aspect and start integrating them, because if we just see their disabilities (being that DS or any others), we will not see the potential they possess and will miss the fact that they are unique and special, as we everyone are, with talents, desires and goals.
In this ableist world, we have to stop excluding those who are different in any aspect and start integrating them, because if we just see their disabilities (being that DS or any others), we will not see the potential they possess and will miss the fact that they are unique and special, as we everyone are, with talents, desires and goals.
Furthermore, I think today (Down Syndrome International Day) is a day to ask for a mindset change, so we can stop seeing them as disabled, to start seeing them as what they are: human beings.
Sources:
https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/about-down-syndrome/the-story-of-two-syndromes/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome
https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/about-down-syndrome/the-story-of-two-syndromes/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome
