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Shelby Bentley
8 March 2013
Dr. Riley
A Person of Their Own
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder in which an extra chromosome causes both mental
and physical delays in a child’s development. The cause of it is not specific and is mostly linked
to the age of the mother during pregnancy. It is the most common birth defect among children
and yet society has yet to fully accept their capabilities as functioning human beings in the
community. Despite their slightly noticeable physical features and delays in development, they
are not so different from anyone else. Individuals with Down syndrome have opinions, dreams,
and feelings just the same as anyone else. Society has placed a stigma on individuals with Down
syndrome that they cannot lead a normal life. Down syndrome is a genetic condition and does
not define the capabilities of an individual.
There is no denying the characteristics of an individual with Down syndrome are fairly
obvious. From their physical features to their delays in development, most people can pick them
out as being was society deems “different”. For the most part these individuals exhibit few to no
behavior problems and are very kind-hearted. However, society seems to always look down upon
people with disabilities, and view them as an inconvenience. Down syndrome in particular
receives an exceptional amount of ridicule because of the mental deficits that are faced.
Previously referred to as “mentally retarded”, individuals with Downs are now universally
identified as “intellectually disabled”. However, the r-word is still used as a term of
identification, only now it is used in a negative context. Due to stereotypes about the term
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mentally handicapped society for the most part categorizes individuals with Down syndrome as
incapable of the same things as “regular” individuals.
By default, individuals with Down syndrome are very reliant on upon the opportunities
provided by family and caregivers. Their exposure in society and to others is highly dependent
upon how much the family brings them out into the community. This exposure to other people
and situations help to make society more accepting and tolerant, as well as, make the individual
more aware of how to behave in various situations. For example, a parent’s decision to either
homeschool or enroll their child in a private school has a huge impact on the types and amount of
friendships that are going to be made. It has become clear that individuals with Down syndrome
are just as popular with their peers as other mainstream students, but these relationships are only
as strong as the parents allow them to be. The British Journal of Special Education concludes
that “adults need to be sensitive to the needs of young people with Down syndrome so that
friendships (which may be in limited number and scope but still satisfying) are encouraged”
(Cuckle & Wilson, 2002). The amount of exposure individuals with Down syndrome are
provided with has a huge impact on how they build and maintain relationships among society.
Once provided with the experience of creating contacts, these individuals have the ability
to expand these relationships and have emotional connections. Society has become much more
educated about different disabilities and their characteristics, which in turn has led to a greater
acceptance. In the individual’s younger years it is much easier for them to make friends.
However, it is in later years that the gap between them and mainstream students becomes more
apparent. This gap is only a matter of perception and has nothing to do with the actual person or
their ability to make and maintain relationships. Individuals with Down syndrome are actually
much more compassionate and honest than your average person if given the chance to show that.
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Often times it is their difficulty in communicating that causes a breakdown in relationships, but
that does not mean they cannot provide the same support as a regular friend would, only in other
ways. Although their friendships may not be many, or go beyond the limits of school or their
local neighborhood they have the ability to be a friend and have friends. The relationships an
individual with Down creates is not determined by how well they communicate or their
disability, but by the qualities in which they possess.
As far as academically, no, individuals with Down syndrome are not going to learn the
same material at the same pace as a mainstream student. However, that does not implicate that
they do not have the same ability to learn as any other individual. There has been a move
towards mainstream education for individuals with disabilities over the years and this movement
has shown positive benefits for the individuals involved. According to research done by the
journal Down Syndrome Research and Practice, mainstream classrooms provide a richer
language environment which in turn promotes communication skills, and provides behavioral
role-modeling (Bennie, Laws & Taylor, 1996). The key with mainstreaming is making the
student feel involved in the material but providing them with an adapted curriculum among what
the other students in the class are learning. This allows for the student to remain with his/her
peers and still receive the proper services. Their ability to learn material is only as much as they
are pushed to learn. A strong education system will facilitate the right progress for an individual.
Students with Down syndrome graduate just like any other student and if they wish to do so,
often have the ability to further their education.
Beyond the limits of a high school degree there are transition programs to facilitate the
shift from high school into either a job market or a higher education system. Often times the
high school contracts out with a local agency to bring in a transition coordinator who then
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attends IEP meetings and discusses possible programs and careers with both the individual and
the family involved. Without these programs and non-discriminatory laws, individuals with
disabilities would be left for themselves, forever under the care of a family member or a group
home. They need to be given the chance to provide for themselves before they are assumed to be
under complete care of another person. Every situation is different for each person, but in the
end the programs are out there and should be utilized so that these individuals can have the most
satisfying life possible. That’s all anyone else wants. It would be ignorant to think that they
wouldn’t want the same. It is important that transition programs are utilized because individuals
with Down syndrome do have the ability to further their education or be employed.
The important thing to remember about Down syndrome is that they are people just like
anyone else, and although they have handicaps and obstacles to face they still have goals, and
dreams. For example, there is a young man in particular who lives in a local community. He is a
junior and high school and has Down syndrome. His biggest goal is to own his own restaurant.
There are success stories all over the place about individuals with Downs syndrome who have
beaten the stigma created by society and proved that they have dreams just as big as the rest of
society. New York Times reporter Robert Strauss reports on Brad Hennefer a high school
basketball player with Down syndrome who is believed to be the only boy with a disorder
playing on a high school varsity basketball team. Brad has a girlfriend of whom he has been
with for five years. The real victory comes into play when Brad scores his second 3-pointer of
the season, in a loss to one of the state’s top teams. He proudly states the reporter: “Not many
people get to score against St. Patrick’s” (Strauss, 2008). Down syndrome is a challenge for
these individuals without a doubt, but with perseverance they do not let it get in the way of their
goals.
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Society will always have their misconceptions about the ability of an individual with
Down syndrome to be a productive member of society, and have a fulfilling life. However, with
or without the support of those people these individuals with Down syndrome are going to pull
their own weight and show society what they are capable of. Education and tolerance of Down
syndrome has greatly improved over the decades, and has made it easier for these individuals to
live and be part of fulfilling lives. Their capabilities are not limited to what is written in a book
or what people think, but extended to how far they are pushed and the opportunities they are
provided with.
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References
Cuckle, P. & Wilson, J. (2002, June). Social relationships and friendships among young people
with down’s syndrome in secondary schools. British Journal of Special Education, 29
(2), 66–71.
Bennie S., Buckley S.J., Laws G., & Taylor M. (1996), Classroom behavior, language
competence, and the acceptance of children with down syndrome by their mainstream
peers. Down Syndrome Research and Practice, 4(3),100-109.
Strauss,R. (2008, February 28). High school player with down syndrome shoots, and scores.
New York Times.
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Style exercise:
National Down Syndrome Society:
My name is Shelby Bentley, and I am writing this letter in regards to my wishes
to open an awareness group program. It is my hopes to create an awareness group that provides
information to both the general public about Down syndrome, as well as to the actual individuals
with Downs who would like to know what programs and opportunities are available for them
during school and beyond their high school years. I find that many times part of the reason these
individuals are not excelling farther is because a lack of support and knowledge of what is out
there. Although there are many support groups out there, honestly it’s still never enough.
Education is the key to success not just for these individuals but for you and I as well. It
is important for us to understand and know what stigmas are out there in society and how to
break that chain, and how to push these individuals to show everyone else what they are capable
of. Between your experience and mine in the Down syndrome community we have seen the
capabilities and know them, but we need everyone else to know it as well.
In this project I plan to hold events that raise awareness, provide support, and help the
Down syndrome community succeed. I feel the most important aspects here are awareness and
support. There is so much the Downs syndrome community is capable of and it is my wish to
help facilitate that movement. It would be much appreciated to have your support behind this
and any kind of funding would be greatly appreciated. It takes the power of many to make a
great change and that is what we are striving to do here.
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Reflection 1:
In this particular essay assignment I definitely felt like even talking about it an academic
light that I was very true to my own thoughts and ideas. If anything I feel like this essay drove
my passion, because this topic is so close to my beliefs and heart. I think choosing a major in
something you’re passionate about is very important to how involved you are going tpo be in
your career. My major in Speech Pathology is something that definitely drives me, and having a
brother with Down syndrome facilitates that drive even more. I really felt like when writing this
paper that I was able to articulate my thoughts well, especially because I had very interesting
sources that helped back up my ideas. I usually do not get so hyped up talking about this, so if
anything my paper sounds much more passionate than I would be probably in a conversational
manner.
Reflection 2:
The difference between the letter and the essays varies much in content, however, I feel
like tone-wise I’m still using that passion that drove me in the essay. This is especially because I
am trying to move the reader of my letter to feel the same way I do in order to receive funding.
Content-wise I am explaining what my plans are to do with the money and why I need it, but yet
I am keeping that same tone to be motivational and persuasive to the reader. It is much more
formal however, simply because in order to be taken seriously an respected in a business aspect
you need to come across knowledgeable and professional. In addition, the old saying “time is
money” comes into play so I try to make it as direct to the point as possible. Unlike the essay
there is little room for long explanations.
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