People Living With Down Syndrome

This is a photo of my aunt Anne Marie doing what she does best - bowling. Every Tuesday she loves to go bowling with all of her friends where they hold 10 lanes with groups of 3 and every group plays two games. My aunt also enjoys other activities such as dancing, listing to music, drinking a cup of tea when she wakes up and before she goes to bed, watching DVDs, and even art decorating. She’s also there to make you laugh every day and give you lots and lots of hugs to remind you how much she loves you or how nice it is meeting you. I live with my aunt who has Down syndrome and every day life is different.

To some, people who have Down syndrome are sometimes strangers, but to others, people who have Down syndrome are known as friends, family, and even lovers. According to Genetics Home Reference, Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability – a characteristic facial appearance and a weak muscle tone in infancy. People with Down syndrome often experience a gradual decline in their thinking ability as they age, increased risk of developing Alzheimer disease, a brain disorder that results in gradual loss of memory, judgment, and ability to function.

Living with someone who has Down syndrome there are things that make it easy to understand, but for others understanding someone who has Down syndrome may take some time. Here’s a few things I have learned on my own. Try not to keep up with them, just try to understand and listen.

Everyone with Down syndrome have many personalities. From my aunt and all her friends with Down syndrome they all have a different spirits, while some can be loud, outgoing and even a jokester, others are shy and very kind. I’ll talk with some of the guys and see that their day can be effected by one little thing or some may be exciting and charming their ways with the women. While some of the girls will tell you about their day or who their friends are, I have learned that everyone has a different personality and at any age they are not all the same.

Being Down syndrome does not define you as a person. People with Down syndrome can do stuff just like everyone else, it just takes them a little longer to understand things and sometimes they need a little more assistance than others to do so– you’ll just have to learn to be a little patient. They love to do things just like everyone else but more so they will teach you how to do some and enjoy as much as they can. They don’t like to be left out – from going to events with friends, shopping, dressing up and going to dances, some even drive cars, and playing sports, and more, Down syndrome people like to do things just like you and I.

People with Down syndrome can have jobs. There are many different opportunities and even support systems that help disabled people who are looking for jobs and having jobs. My aunt works twice a week at our local school as a lunch lady. Others may work in a factory, on the runway as a model, in retail, at an office and more.

People with Down syndrome may need a little more time. Their brain makes them think at a slower rate than others. Slower isn’t bad, it’s how you handle it. They can do the same everyday life things as you and me, they just may need a little more time doing things that we do. Be patient and understanding with that. There’s nothing wrong with that.

Some people with Down syndrome are use too routines. Life to some of them is something they see as very simple and easy. There are no problems or issues – this makes them see things as black and white, not much color. Breakfast starts at a certain time, snack right after, need to catch the bus that takes them to work – so standing outside 20 minutes before is natural, water before you go to bed, a shower at a certain time, and even everything else and everything else.

Having a child with Down syndrome is a blessing. If you think it will be difficult for you and your family to raise someone different, trust me because it won’t. They are loving and caring and will make you laugh. A lot of the time they don’t like to be babied, they’ll help you and make you smile. A lot of times they may find it hard to make friends but through support and love, they will want to be a part of friends and fun activities.

Thanks for reading everyone

Be sure to follow me following my dreams

Facebook & Instagram

Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal