Every March 21, the World Down Syndrome Daya day that serves to help people learn more about the myths and challenges faced by those who live with this condition.
In this way, we seek to erase any erroneous ideas about what it means for someone to have Down Syndrome and thus open up opportunities for them at school, work, social and personal relationships.
What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome, or trisomy 21, is a condition in which the person has a extra chromosomewhich changes the way it develops.
There may be mental and physical challenges, but there are various tools focused on helping them reach their maximum potential.
Even so, one of the myths about people with this condition is that they are ‘eternal children‘, which can never be independent.
“In the best of cases there is a bet on the part of the family, school and society that they achieve greater autonomy,” says the psychomotor specialist. Graciela Olivetodirector of Encuentro AC and Casa CAI, which promote the inclusion of young people with intellectual disabilities.
“But in many cases the belief that they can is limited, so overprotection begins to appear.”
And when the overprotectiongoes deeper, the person begins to be invisible, because in reality it is others who decide if they can or not.
He has heard multiple times that the children express the desire to get married, to which the parents respond: “You’re going to stay with mom and dad forever.”
Or it also happens that they are told yes to what they want to do, but – unlike other people – they are not encouraged or supported.
“I think the main barrier for people with Down Syndrome is ignorance,” he points out. Gabriela Elizondoco-founder of Familia Down Upinitiative that seeks to be one support net for those living with this syndrome, their families and circle of care.
The mother of a 7-year-old boy with this condition remembers that lack of information It led them to think so many wrong things, like that they couldn’t walk.
Little by little they began to understand that the minor has desires and abilities like any personand it may require a little more help, but you can do it.
“All the work we do is to ensure that he is independent,” says the mother, “so that he can live as he wants, study as much as he can, work on what he is passionate about, live a full life.”
A difficult path, but not impossible
When Mariana Gonzalez was born 34 years ago, his parents went to a therapist in search of understanding more about Down Syndrome.
In that consultation they asked him a question that marked what his daughter’s life would be like.
“We asked her what Mariana’s potential is, how far she can go,” says Silvia Treviño, her mother.
The specialist responded: “Don’t put a cap on it.”
And there wasn’t. Thus, Mariana graduated in 2020 with a degree in Educational Sciences, with an emphasis on special education, from the University of Monterrey.
It took her six years to study high school and eight years of college, she says, she needed some adjustments and some teachers didn’t believe in her, but she did it.
“Some teachers did give me notes, others didn’t; I failed other (subjects), but in the end I graduated,” says the professional, the first graduate with Down Syndrome from a university degree at UDEM.
Today Mariana works at EDUX, an institution aimed at promoting education, and is a volunteer at TEDI, dedicated to training people with Down Syndrome.
Her sister Silvia points out that today she has a driver’s license, something that took her a little time, but she got it.
“Anyone would have said, ‘Let her take Uber, let her friends pick her up,’ assuming that she couldn’t,” he says. “He didn’t pass it (the exam) the first time, but he did pass it the third time.”
Both her mother and her sister emphasize that she has always had support from her family, and from people who have opened doors for her and believed in her.
And although a first step is break down misconceptionsspecialists and family members agree that we must go further.
It is necessary a structural change: public policies, non-welfare programs, adjustments at the educational level and more opportunities at the labor level; Only in this way can true inclusion be achieved.
People with Down Syndrome have the right to meaningful participation in society and to make their own decisions on issues of interest to them.
More about World Down Syndrome Day: pic.twitter.com/82lZEwxX6V
— United Nations (@ONU_es) March 21, 2024
With information from Reform