Teacher Born With Down Syndrome

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - One local assistant teacher is living proof that with motivation and a positive attitude there is nothing that can't be accomplished.
There's a teacher in Columbia, who brings more to her students than every day lessons, she brings a very important, life long one.

"I always tried hard, and I always did my best," said Bryann Burgess, an assistant teacher with a school called Kindermusik.
From day one, the... (more)

A Child First

I am MAD. Steaming, hot-potato angry. Teeth-gritting, fist-pounding MAD.

Here's the latest ignorant question from a well-meaning person, and the incredibly stupid answer. (paraphrased, because I deleted the link in disgust)

Q: I am a fifth-grade teacher, and one of my students, a girl with Down syndrome, displays an inappropriate fondness for older boys and men. I'm wondering if inappropriate sexual attention is a symptom of Down syndrome and how can I help this little girl?

A: Unfortunately, sexual acting out is common with mentally retarded kids and hopefully it's a phase. Other than that I can't help you.

Can we just say GRRRRRRRRRRRR!?!

First, "inappropriate sexual attention" is not a SYMPTOM of Down syndrome. More likely, it's a result of this poor child getting abused in some way. Kids and people with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to abuse of all kinds. (Including the abuse of widespread misinformation.)

Teacher, I know you didn't know, and I'm glad you asked. I just wish you would have asked a more reputable source. Here's another source. And another. Scroll down and read the part about sexual abuse.

Second, to the person who answered the question in an incredibly discriminatory, uninformed, and decidedly unhelpful way, PLEASE, for the sake of us all, if you don't know what you are talking about, SHUT UP. You are spreading lies, myths, and misinformation based on prejudices and discrimination.

This hurts my child and all others like her.

She is a functioning, normal member of society, and I don't appreciate you tearing that down, causing people to think differently about her.

I'm sorry if that was rude of me, but I don't care. Just because a child has Down syndrome doesn't mean they are not a child. They are CHILDREN FIRST, not a condition, disease, or group of symptoms.

Look closer, teacher. Your student is more like the others than you ever imagined.

It's Time.

Two years is a long time.

Milestones reached and not reached. Words spoken and not spoken. Sinus infections galore. Lots and lots of hugs and kisses. Potty training? Not yet.

She may not be fully talking yet, but she sure knows what you are saying. She knows right from wrong. She loves her family, and especially her brothers--she does everything they do, including tackling them.

Swimming, Grandma's house, hiking, movies. Church, preschool, grocery store, mall.

She even rides the bus to school.

She does it all, a fully included member of our family and community.

And why not?

Different

I’m always pushing how much the same my daughter can be in comparison with other people. Yes, there are a lot of similarities, but there are differences, too. For example, I recently watched a news clip online featuring a girl with DS who was an artist. Shown with her was a happy, innocent, childlike painting that she had done. (Her paintings have sold. Some go for $500). She spoke well, with diction and clarity. She was excited to tell us about her painting.

But there was no denying that she was different. She looked different, acted differently, and spoke differently. It made me sad. For all my encouraging and persistence in telling anyone who’ll listen that people with DS are the same as you and me, it’s just not true, not really. They ARE different. They can be artists, athletes, speakers, teachers, clerks, musicians, bowlers, weight loss success stories, husbands and wives, actors, business owners, drivers, dancers, and students, but all of these achievements are done in a different fashion.

Some need much more support then others to succeed. A few can do it without help, but not many, I fear.
I’m not sure why I’m feeling down about this today.

Because someone looks and acts differently doesn’t mean anything. People succeed with the support of others in all genres, all ages, all races and genders. People need people. And because someone’s IQ isn’t as high as mine or yours shouldn’t mean that person is of lower value. Because someone looks different shouldn’t mean that person is to be shunned. Because someone needs extra help shouldn’t mean help should not be given.

Intellectually, I know all this. Most of the time, my heart and my head agree. But today, I’m feeling the burden. I’m feeling the heaviness of the unknowns ahead. I’m feeling scared that people won’t know how special my daughter is. I hope so much for her! I hope she has a good life. Not only a happy life, but a contributatory and fulfilling life as well.

Maybe I just need a nap.

STARZ Philanthropists, Anna and John Sie

Wow!

The Down syndrome community has been blessed this year. First, we get Sarah Palin, and now this as described in Rocky Mountain News:

John Sie has a straightforward goal when it comes to Down syndrome.
The retired cable television magnate doesn't just want to finance incremental study of the condition. Over the next 10 years, he hopes to help scientists cure it.

To that end, Sie and his wife, Anna, announced Monday that they have committed $34 million to create the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome.

(want more article? go here)
Millions will go into Institute for Down Syndrome

Perspective on Palin

Recently I was asked my feelings concerning Sarah Palin, and her effect on the Down syndrome community in general.

Two words:

Love Her!!

All politics aside, when she and her husband first had Trig, we all knew it. And we rejoiced in the fact that Trig was loved and not discarded like so many are before they are born. We welcomed her into our hearts as a soul-sister into the club of extra chromosome.

Then when she was picked as Vice President by John McCain the national spotlight hit and man, it was blindingly hot. So many issues, so many emotions, so many divisions. People have their feelings about who they want to support.

In one forum I am active in, mostly she received support from the members. There were some Obama-ites who really couldn't stand her, even with the common bond of having a child with Down syndrome. There was a lot of accusations and name calling until the forum owner put a stop to it.

In general, she has caused quite an uproar in the Down syndrome community! I think it's great. Most people totally support her and absolutely love her, not only for who she is but for her promise to us as parents as given in her speech at the Republican convention:

And in April, my husband, Todd, and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical.

That's how it is with us.

Our family has the same ups and downs as any other — the same challenges and the same joys.

Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge. And children with special needs inspire a special love.

To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message:

For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House.

She may not be perfect, she may not have all the answers, she may even disagree with me on some political issues. I don't care. She's my girl, my choice for VP. I was going to vote begrudgingly for McCain-if only to thwart Obama from getting in-but now? I am back in this election, baby!

Would you cure your child of Down syndrome if you could?

Why would people be against a cure for Down syndrome?

One theory is that it's all about pride and acceptance. To want to cure something implies that the something is bad or abnormal, and people don't want to feel thay they are bad or abnormal. They want love and acceptance, and can you blame them?

Why can't we love and accept those who are different now, and if there was a cure why can't we accept that too if the person wants to be cured?

I love my daughter with all my being. I am so proud of her and think she is the most adorable thing ever. I love other people with DS, too. There is just something about them that is very special. It's like looking into the eyes of God.

On the other hand, I am also sad for my daughter in some respects. Yes, she will achieve to the best of her ability, find happiness, and have a good life. She makes people smile.

But there will also be things she will never do. She will always have to struggle. She will be the butt of jokes from cruel people. She is more vulnerable to predators. She will have trouble with speech. She has a higher chance of becoming sick from a myriad of diseases including Alzheimers and leukemia.

Despite the struggles, she WILL have a good life, she WILL inspire people, she WILL help in promoting acceptance and awareness of Down syndrome, and she most definitely WILL love and be loved for who she is.

So would I cure my daughter if I could? I think I would, with mixed feelings. I would miss some things about Down syndrome, but as for the health issues, I'd kiss them goodbye and never look back.