Friday, October 4, 2019

Let's bust some myths for October is Down syndrome awareness month

Dear readers,


October is Down syndrome awareness month and in honor of Laksh and other amazing people just like him, we are having a celebration on our Instagram page. 



When Laksh was born, I did find myself leaning on Dr. Google to help me find some facts about Down syndrome. Being a physical therapist, I was aware of what Down syndrome is but I had never come across anyone in real life who had DS until Laksh. I was so shocked to see some not so accurate and honestly antiquated information on there that it worried me. 


Some sites down right made DS look like a punishment for the child and his/her family, which it really is NOT. So I decided to start a social media page for Laksh so I could show people what it really looks like to have a child with Down syndrome in today's time.  On these platforms, I connected with so many amazing families who have been on this journey longer than we have and it has blown my mind. 


Everything that I wanted for my child, I can see it happening. It might take a bit longer, but who is in a rush anyway? Today, I would also like to take this opportunity to bust these myths I kept reading on different websites back in 2017. 



I am using yellow and blue as these colors represent Down syndrome awareness 


Myths vs  Facts


Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents. 
Most children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35 years old simply because younger women have more children. However, the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother, especially after age 35  



All people with Down syndrome have a severe cognitive disability 
Most people with Down syndrome have a mild to moderate cognitive disability, or intellectual disability. This is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual 


People with Down syndrome cannot be active members of their community. 
People with Down syndrome are active participants in educational, social and recreational activities. They are included in the typical education system and take part in sports, music, art programs and any other activities in the community. People with Down syndrome are valued members of their families and communities, and make meaningful contributions to society, and many are proud business owners. 


Scientists know everything there is to know about Down syndrome. 
Though we know that an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21 causes the characteristics of Down syndrome, researchers are making great strides in identifying how individual genes on chromosome 21 affect a person with Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future 

Segregated special education programs are the only option for students with Down syndrome. 
Students with Down syndrome are included in typical academic classrooms in schools across the country. The current trend in education is for full inclusion in social and educational settings. Sometimes students with Down syndrome are included in specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the typical classroom for all subjects. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with diplomas, and participate in post secondary academic and college programs 


Adults with Down syndrome are the same as children with Down syndrome. 
Adults with Down syndrome are not children, and should not be considered children. They enjoy activities and companionship with other adults, and have similar needs and feelings as their typical peers.

Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationships leading to marriage 
People with Down syndrome socialize and have meaningful friendships. Some choose to date, maintain ongoing relationships and marry. 


It is ok to use the “r-word” if you don’t really mean it. 
It is never acceptable to use the word “retarded” in any derogatory context. Using this word is hurtful and suggests that people with disabilities are not competent. 

Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable  
Businesses employ adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions – in banks, corporations, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, offices and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, childcare, the sports field and the computer industry, to name a few. Like anybody else, people with Down syndrome want to have a job where their work will be valued.  


People with Down syndrome are always sick 
Though people with Down syndrome are at an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, and thyroid conditions, advances in health care and treatment of these conditions have allowed for most individuals with Down syndrome to lead healthy lives. 

Down syndrome is a rare disorder. 
Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. Approximately one in every 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, or around 6,000 births per year. 


People with Down syndrome are always happy and affectionate. 
We are all individuals and people with Down syndrome are no different to anyone else in their character traits, varying moods, and ability to feel all kinds of emotions 

People with Down syndrome all look the same. 
There are certain physical characteristics that can occur. People with Down syndrome can have all of them or none. A person with Down syndrome will always look more like his or her close family than someone else with the condition. 


People with Down syndrome do not live very long 
Today, with the kind of medical treatments available, people with Down syndrome can look forward to living a long and fulfilling life 



Down syndrome is hereditary and runs in families.  
Translocation, a type of Down syndrome that accounts for 3 to 4% of all cases, is the only type of Down syndrome known to have a hereditary component. Of those, one third (or 1% of all cases of Down syndrome) are hereditary


I have used the National Down syndrome society as a guideline to create this list.


To show your support, you could wear yellow and/or blue anytime in the month of October or just any time at all, and tag us on Facebook or Instagram  using @livelifelakshsize or the hashtag #livelifelakshsize or #lakshandfriends

Leaving you guys with a video of my SUPER LAKSH in his TINY SUPERHEROES CAPE.




To be a part of Laksh's journey you can connect with us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livelifelakshsize/?
Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/livelifelakshsize/
Website: www.livelifelakshsize.com


And if you loved reading this or any other articles here, please do hit the follow button and share. Thank you












To the makers of the movie Mimi

First of all, I would like to thank you for opening the dialogue about Down syndrome in our Indian society.  Thank you for showing that a ch...