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| Each year at our "Visions of Hope" gala, we include in the written program some of our current "thoughts" on Down syndrome. These "thoughts" reflect part of our journey with our son Nicholas. We share them here with the hope that others will find them helpful. | ||||
| 2003 - Overcoming the Label | ||||
 Thirty years ago, professionals routinely urged parents to institutionalize their children born with Down syndrome. Common knowledge told a story of lethargic, unteachable and unworthy children. They were classified and stigmatized, devalued and isolated. We now know how badly those early perceptions missed the mark. As parents began to understand Down syndrome and how to manage the medical and developmental issues children with Down syndrome faced, they saw their children learning, thriving and enjoying life at levels previously thought impossible. Now, children with Down syndrome are going to school and learning, making friends and belonging, developing their own passions and excelling. Their full and satisfying lives fly in the face of old negative stereotypes. Unfortunately, those stereotypes still prevail for many outside
the special needs community. Many people who have not had the opportunity
to teach, know or love a child with Down syndrome see only the disability.
The defect. The label. There is so much more to any child than a
label. Like all children, children with Down syndrome have different
strengths and abilities.Like all children, children with Down syndrome
have challenges and weaknesses.Like all children, children with
Down syndrome deserve to be welcomed, supported and embraced by
their community. Thank you for joining us to support DSF’s and DSAOC’s efforts to educate others about the positive, changing face of Down syndrome. It will take time, effort and program development to change the outdated views of society at large. We can reach our goals, but only with help from people like you. |
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