Bentley 1 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 Bentley 2 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. Bentley 3 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 Bentley 4 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. Bentley 5 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. Bentley 6 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. Bentley 7 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. Bentley 8 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. Bentley 9