Down syndrome
Down syndrome is an intellectual disability. In the United States, 5,000 babies are born with Down syndrome. An individual with Down syndrome has 47 chromosomes while an average person has 46 chromosomes. The extra chromosome can result in certain physical characteristics like short stature or an upward slant to the eyes. Down syndrome could result in slow in speech and delayed development. People with Down syndrome are normal people with different talents and strengths.
Jason and Mitchell in their book count us in describe themselves as normal people with the same experiences. They view themselves as normal people with feelings and thoughts. The two feel that they have a regular heart and mind. They feel that given the right opportunities they are capable of being productive members of the community. The conversation the two have shows that they have the same personalities as everyone else. They feel that they should not be treated differently from other people. They insist they are just slower than a normal person but have potential if nurtured the right way. Expressions of the kind of anxiety and frustrations experienced daily relate to those healthy human beings deal with every day. According to Jason and Mitchel, these are challenges that are faced by everyone.
They both agree that education is fundamental to people with Down syndrome. They insist on the importance of this people enrolling in a special class and a regular class. They also believe that people with Down syndrome should not be treated differently from other people. Teasing is one of the challenges they endured while growing up. They feel that this is wrong and give an insight on how children should deal with it. They feel that the difference with normal people is that they learn more quickly. They also feel discrimination of one on the basis of disability is not right. The outlook of the two on life is hilarious. The way to empower people with disabilities is not to hide them from society but to embrace them.
Family relationships contribute positively to people with Down syndrome and require more attention. They acknowledge that without their parents support things would be different. The two believe that it is advantageous for families to embrace these children and give them all the love they can. They both discuss the frustrations on how to deal with the opposite sex. This is not something new to any person they view it as a normal challenge. All young people have difficulties in dealing with the issue. Their talk with the grandfather exposes the fears they have on dealing with the opposite sex. Children with Down syndrome should be left out to socialize and grow socially. Independence could be learnt quickly if children socialize with other children. Parents should not be embarrassed to let them out to play with other children. Socializing children with Down syndrome helps people learn to protect themselves and become independent. Socialization would be integral to them so that they feel as part of a community.
The two authors widely expresses on the need for family, supportive friend for people with Down syndrome. They also stress on the importance of learning for all of them in order to be productive members. Their thoughts are that they are normal with an extra chromosome and should not be treated differently. Opportunities presented to them have made them better. They have turned out individuals who can stand on their own and provide for themselves and their families.
