People with Down syndrome have been mistreated, terminated as a foetus, and denied basic human rights such as education and medical treatment (Smith, 2011). Why are people with Down syndrome treated differently from the rest of society? This may be due to the lack of understanding and respect given to them, therefore creating a stereotype against Down syndrome. This essay will discuss the challenges faced by people with Down syndrome, as well as the effectiveness of current policies and services available for them. My uncle ran away from home in 2013, only to be found a day later by patrolling policemen. He was born with Down syndrome and lives with my grandparents. Being old and frail, they are unable to bring my 35-year old uncle out, hence he is stuck at home more often than not. Uncle always has a frown on his face, which led me to believe that all people with Down syndrome were born unhappy. Another peculiar trait uncle has is behaving like a child. He always whines and grumbles when told to put his shirt on or eat, much like how a seven-year old would act. I initially had thought that people with Down syndrome were immature and had the mental capacity of a minor, but only recently did I realise that it might not be his fault for acting that way, but the family’s. Uncle is always reprimanded by his parents and siblings like how a child would be, hence his behaviour has not changed since he was little. I always had thought that people with Down syndrome were incapable of taking care of themselves, let alone fit in society. However, I am now more knowledgeable about Down syndrome and believe they can contribute to society with the support of family, community and society itself. By age 35, a woman's risk of conceiving a child w... ... middle of paper ... ... the students can share their experiences and observations of the people with Down syndrome with their families and friends. By increasing awareness in society of the capabilities they have, the stereotype against people with Down syndrome will be lifted. People with Down syndrome have feelings just like each of us. They reciprocate positively to acts of friendship and they feel upset by inconsiderate behaviour (National Down Syndrome Society, 2012). It is therefore important that society treats them fairly, as many are capable of working in the community. Although there are a considerable number of services available to educate and prepare them to face the world, they might feel ostracised by society due to the misconceptions and stereotypes formed about them. Therefore, the best way to help them merge into society is to treat them with respect and understanding.
Having Down Syndrome is a Horizontal identity. Most Americans view people with Down’s to be disabled and do not thing much past that. But, many people with Down’s see this simply as a part of who they are, just as much as the color of their eyes. To them, it is not a disability, but just a fact of life. Many outsiders do not understand this, which is why the Down’s community is so important. The Down’s community provides those with Down’s acceptance to their identity. While the rest of society rejects and pities them, within their community they can relate with others and be treated equally. Unlike with vertical identities where the parents are automatically insiders, parents must choose to whether or not to support their children’s horizontal identities. Some parents choose not to accept Down’s before the child is born and terminate the pregnancy while others do their best to make sure their child is comfortable in the world. Again, in more recent years, there are movements for society to be more educated and inclusive for those with Down Syndrome, but there is still a long way to go.
Research projects in down syndrome. (2014). Retrieved January 26, 2014, from Center for Mind and Brain website: http://mindbrain.ucdavis.edu/labs/Rivera/research-areas/down-syndrome
...ility, they are weak and are not as vigorous/ active as kids that don’t have down syndrome. Many kids with translocation down syndrome function differently than others because they have to deal with mental and physical problems unlike others and often need physical therapy. Not only that, kids with this disorder take intervention classes to try to improve the disorder as well as try to improve their physical, mental and intellectual abilities. Also, kids with down syndrome are slow in motor development(the ability to control one’s body movement’s). They also have verbal short-term memory loss.At school, kids with down syndrome should interact with others to build a foundation of social abilities allowing the child to be more sociable and participate in discussions in class. This will improve the level of functioning of a child with translocation down syndrome.
Thomas is a 29 year old who lives with Down Syndrome (DS). DS is a learning disability (LD) caused by the non-disjunction of chromosome 21 during cell division and is characterised by the presence of dysmorphic facial features; furthermore it affects mental and social development (Evans-Martin, 2009). When working with people with a LD, nurses must understand how to uphold the legal and ethical rights of the individual as well as ascertaining the individual's capacity to understand choices and outcomes (NMC, 2008). The task I will reflect on is completing Thomas’s admission. Thomas’s arrival time was scheduled for 9.30am, a busy time within the PLE; furthermore, he was fifth on the morning theatre list which meant his surgery would not be until 12.00pm. My journey with Thomas commenced when I was handed his case notes and asked to admit him. Unfortunately, I had not been given the opportunity to read...
During my voluntary work, I encountered countless of people, who avoided or showed disrespect to children and adults with mental problems. I will never forget that day, when I was playing soccer with the children from the Down Syndrome, a crowd of young boys sneered at them and humiliated them loudly. Such a stigma indicated that mental health discrimination is still significant and persistent in our society, despite of its rapid development. It is an incontestable truth that all people have inherent worth and dignity, and each individual in our society is unique and valuable. With the aid of professional assistance and training, empowering people, who are vulnerable and in face of predicaments, to enhance their well-being is no longer something overwhelmingly difficult. I witnessed the improvement of the children with Down Syndrome, this made me strongly believe that each person has an inherent capacity and drive towards change, which can make life more fulfilling, mentally ill people are no exception. All these personal experience instilled in me further the desire to become a social
Have you ever been in a situation where you were confronted by a child who has Down Syndrome and were unsure of how to act around that child? I'm sure many of us have experienced the awkwardness that accompanies such a situation. Many people feel guilt or pity for these children, I believe these reactions result from a lack of knowledge about the condition. Which is why I have chosen this topic.
It is believed that people with Down Syndrome has been around for a while. In 1959 Professor Jérome Lejeune proved that Down's syndrome is a chromosomal irregularity.Parents in that time were ashamed of their children with disabilities.In 1944 kids with disabilities did not have the right to have an education. Not until 1971 it was recognized that it should be legal for people with learning disabilities to get an education.Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has heightened dramatically in modern decades from 25 in 1983 to 60 today. People with down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as heart disease,brain atrophy and learning disorders.(downs-syndrome association)
It took several minutes for the doctor to explain the lifelong effects of Down syndrome, and several more for me to translate it all to the patient. In some ways, it seems like birth defects are so common and not well understood that there isn 't much social stigma associated.
... with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities gain acceptance. People with Down Syndrome are just as important as you and me and I for one am excited that the scientific community is making such great advances involving the research, treatment and improvement of the lives of individuals with this and other cognitive disabilities. This cause is important to me because as a Disability Studies major, I am strongly committed to equal treatment and understanding of people with special needs. I work at an agency that provides recreational and educational opportunities for people with a variety of disabilities and conditions and I love what I do. I am convinced that with further scientific research and more people spreading awareness there will be a day where all individuals with different conditions will be entirely accepted and socially included.
To all parents, a newborn child is a small miracle, perfect and beautiful in every way. However, in many situations the parents of these miracles learn that their children are “not normal.” Every year 6,000 parents across the country are informed that their child has a genetic disorder called Down Syndrome (“National Down Syndrome Society,” n.d.). Within a matter of minutes parents learn that children with Down Syndrome can also have a variety of other conditions and disorders, will not develop in the same way that other children do, and may even have a shorter life span. However, children with Down Syndrome are happy-go-lucky children with a kind disposition and a wonderful personality. Also known as Trisomy 21, Down Syndrome does not mean the end of a child’s life; it simply means that a child with Down Syndrome will lead a life that is different than that of his or her peers. With love and support from parents, educators, and medical professions these children can become some of the most wonderful people that one will ever meet. Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder that has its own symptoms, occurs during the process of mitosis, and is often connected with other medical conditions; however, with the help of new technology and medical professionals Down syndrome is recognized earlier and those with the condition can lead longer, healthier lives.
"Having Down syndrome is like being born normal. I am just like you and you are just like me. We are all born in different ways, that is the way I can describe it. I have a normal life"(Burke, C., n.d.). Where special education is concerned, one must always remember that exceptional learners are different, not less. In the following studies, the various strengths and weaknesses of the language and communication of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) is reviewed and discussed.
We need to work on accepting and including children with Down Syndrome in local schools so that they are given an equal opportunity to advance their education and become successf...
Studies have shown that there are several benefits to an inclusive education for students with Down syndrome (National Down Syndrome Society). Since 1996, the National Down Syndrome Society has done research on the inclusion of young students with Down syndrome in general education classrooms (National Down Syndrome Society). The study has found that students with Down syndrome had similar learning characteristics, more so than different when compared to their nondisabled peers (National Down Syndrome Society). Teachers that were involved in this study, reported that they had more positive experiences with students with Down syndrome when they were grouped with their nondisabled peers (National Down Syndrome
Children with disabilities are more in the public eye than years ago, although they are still treated differently. Our society treats them differently from lack of education on special needs. The society labels them and make their lives more difficult than it has to be becau...
Every day in America, a woman loses a job to a man, a homosexual high school student suffers from harassment, and someone with a physical or mental disability is looked down upon. People with disabilities make up the world’s largest and most disadvantaged minority, with about 56.7 million people living with disabilities in the United States today (Barlow). In every region of the country, people with disabilities often live on the margins of society, deprived from some of life’s fundamental experiences. They have little hope of inclusion within education, getting a job, or having their own home (Cox). Everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed in life, but discrimination is limiting opportunities and treating people badly because of their disability. Whether born from ignorance, fear, misunderstanding, or hate, society’s attitudes limit people from experiencing and appreciating the full potential a person with a disability can achieve. This treatment is unfair, unnecessary, and against the law (Purdie). Discrimination against people with disabilities is one of the greatest social injustices in the country today. Essential changes are needed in society’s basic outlook in order for people with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to succeed in life.