Some facts about Downs Syndrome
There are a lot of misconceptions about Downs Syndrome and I thought I would use this blog to answer some FAQ's and throw some facts out there.
Around one in every 1000 babies born in the UK will have Down's syndrome.
There are over 40,000 people in the UK and US with the condition.
Although the chance of a baby having Down's syndrome is higher for older mothers, more babies with Down's syndrome are born to younger women.
Down's syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in a baby's cells. It occurs by chance at conception and is irreversible.
Down's syndrome is not a disease. People with Down's syndrome are not ill and do not "suffer" from the condition.
People with the syndrome will have a degree of learning difficulty. However, most people with Down's syndrome will walk and talk and many will read and write, go to ordinary schools and lead fulfilling, semi-independent lives.
All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.
People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.
Today the average life expectancy for a person with Down's syndrome is between 50 and 60. A considerable number of people with Down's syndrome live into their 60's.
We tend to stifle the progression of people with disabilities by pushing our own expectations (or rather lack of) on to them. When our behaviour towards them is governed by misinformation, we end up limiting them and imposing on their personal bill of rights, often leaving them entrenched and stigmatised. Just take a moment to watch this video and have a taste of what one person with Downs Syndrome is capable of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI1K6x5CBEU
My sister has some limitations...but so do all of us. She can be loving, caring, fun, brave and productive. She can also be selfish, grumpy, sad, frustrated and lazy. She is a human being.
She needs as much love and support as the rest of us do. She is not a novelty. She is not a gimmick and she is certainly not a burden. She has been and continues to be an inspiration to myself and the others around her.
I hope someone learns something from this! Thank you for reading.
