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The Daily Signal
In Their Own
Words: Down Syndrome Across the World
Kristiana Mork
March 19, 2016
The everyday connections of children born with Down syndrome are
highlighted in new video interviews about the lives, friendships, and
aspirations of kids across the world.
The group Down Syndrome International released the series of video
clips to commemorate World Down Syndrome Day this year.
“Which three words describe you best?” an interviewer asks two Italian
boys, Riccardo and Gianmarco, in one clip.
“Talkative, friendly, nice,” Riccardo, a rugby enthusiast with Down
syndrome, responds.
“What do you like doing least of all?”
“Wash my teeth,” Riccardo says with a grin.
Since 2006, March 21 has been celebrated as World Down Syndrome Day in
countries around the world. The date, 3/21, reflects the triplication
of the 21st chromosome that causes the genetic disorder.
The extra chromosome causes delays in mental and physical development.
Those with Down syndrome typically have trouble with learning, decision
making, concentration, and memory. In developed nations, however, some
go on to graduate high school and find paying jobs. Most can live to 50
or 60 with the disorder.
One of every 691 babies in the U.S. is born with Down syndrome, which
is about 6,000 a year, according to the National Down Syndrome Society.
And “one of every 700 to 900 babies born worldwide will have Down
syndrome,” Down Syndrome Australia reports.
The United Kingdom-based Down Syndrome International released the video
clips as part of its “My Friends, My Community” initiative, which
promotes the inclusion of Down syndrome children around the world. Each
clip features an interview with one of these children and a friend.
“The reality for many is that prevailing negative attitudes result in
low expectations, discrimination and exclusion, creating communities
where children and adults with Down syndrome cannot integrate
successfully with their peers,” Down Syndrome International said in a
formal statement.
Groups and organizations from 33 countries arranged the interviews. The
groups sent the videos to Down Syndrome International for editing and
release.
In the clip from Italy, Riccardo and Gianmarco are interviewed
together.
“Which three words describe your friend?” the interviewer asks the boys.
“Beautiful, nice, and a little bit talkative,” Riccardo, the one with
Down syndrome, says.
“Funny, affectionate, short,” Gianmarco says with a laugh.
Neither mentions Down syndrome.
Another clip features Kim and Magali, friends from Switzerland.
Kim, who has Down syndrome, says she lives at home with “Mom, Dad … and
Nala,” and wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
Magali says she lives with her cats, a sister, her parents, two
mice—sometimes even a third one—two bunnies, and two guinea pigs. She
says she wants to grow up to be a horse trainer and riding instructor.
The girls agree on one thing—they will still continue to see each other
even when they get older.
Neither mentions Down syndrome.
Colorful posters and a shelf full of stuffed animals surround Chiara
and Nadja as they talk about school, their hopes for the future, and
their lives in Germany.
Boys are also a topic.
“I don’t like boys,” Chiara, who has Down syndrome, says. “The boys
tease the teacher and the teacher scolds them.”
“We have a ‘clique’—which has no name—and during the breaks we gossip
about girl’s stuff and Chiara is with us there,” Nadja says. “And there
is a boy who chats with us. We have to send him off because he annoys
us.”
The interviewer asks what the girls like to do with each other.
“With Chiara, I like to play and we like going out for ice cream,”
Nadja says.
Chiara says the two watch TV together and play with their cell phones.
Neither mentions Down syndrome.
All children benefit when children with Down syndrome have an
opportunity to participate in an environment of “friendship,
acceptance, and respect for everyone,” the statement from Down
Syndrome International says, adding:
These environments prepare all today’s children for life as tomorrow’s
adults, enabling adults with Down syndrome to live, work and
participate, with confidence and individual autonomy, fully included in
society alongside their friends and peers.
Sarah Sleem contributed to this report.
Read this article with photos and videos at The Daily Signal
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