This question is for adults with Down Syndrome or family members of adults with Down Syndrome?

Question

My wife and I have a 3 month old son with DS. He is great, my 2 year old has fun with him and he has already grown so much. We have our IFSP set in place and his teachers are always thrilled with the progress he is making. My question has to do with expectations. I have read a lot of books but they all seem to end with "he or she now lives an independent happy life". Thats great, but I want to know about some of the great things that people with Down Syndrome have accomplished. Where they work, what the independent living looks like, fun leisure activities that someone might not expect from a person with DS. I always have people asking me questions, and that is great, but I have this one of my own. I just want to think about all the great things my son may accomplish. I would especially like to hear from some adults with DS. Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your son!! It sounds like you are really doing well to have your IFSP in place and therapy underway...some families don't recongnize the importance of Early Intervention!

My son is 2 years old and also has Down syndrome. I have no first-person experience with adults with Down syndrome, but I have heard some wonderful stories of how people with Down syndrome can live pretty normal lives. Once such story, which you may have already heard about is of Sujeet and Carrie Desai. They are a couple, both with Down syndrome, who recently got married and who live mostly independently, but have some help. There was a story on 20/20 about them and you can see the video at

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2354714&page=1

Also, I just this week attended a forum for my state's legislators on Developmental Disabilities. Across the back wall of this large auditorium stretched a banner with literally hundreds of business and agencies that actively employ or help find employment for people with Developmental Disabilities. There were stores, offices, law firms, hospitals, etc. I was staggered to think of the options that will be open to my son when he is older.

There are other stories of people with Down syndrome living their dreams.... here are a couple links about two women, both with DS who have done some amazing things....one swam the English Channel and the other swam from Alcatraz to SF

http://www.karengaffneyfoundation.com/swimmers.shtml

http://news.yahoo.com/s/wesh/20061103/lo_wesh/10237606

I think that things can only continue to improve for our kids. I'm sure that you, like my husband and I, have the philosophy of never saying "can't". Our children's potential is limitless!

Also, if you have not already found it, I would invite you to go to
http://www.downsyn.com/
and especially check out the forum. There you will meet people with children of all ages who have DS. They are a great source of support and information!

Best of luck with your sweet little boy. He will never cease to amaze you!

Answer 2

I dont, nor do any siblings, or children have DS, but I do know a man in town with DS, and he is just a good man (like in his 40's) , I see DS younger folks with jobs, and there useto be a movie star a few years back, so it is up to how much time and money you want to put into his life, and it may depend on how severe it is. Good luck.

Answer 3

I don't have down syndrome, but I do have autism. Family support will help the most, even with all the learning disability and etc, check out all the technology to function in school and the working world. Don't give up but don't have extreme high expectation. Always mainstream your child as possible, and always know and get an advocate to help with all the IEP's in school and know the Federal Act Section 504 and others scholarship for your child. You are the only one who knows your child the best, and it is up to you to push everything possible to make your child education to fit all of his/ her needs. I have also 3 special needs children myself, and with a disabilty and can fully relate to all of their difficult and communications concerns. Sometimes you have to step on toes to get what your kids needs to make a success for your child future!

Answer 4

when someone with downs is high functioning it is possible for them to live on their own. and things like that. but most adults with downs live in a residential setting with others like them. there is a caretaker in the home with them 24/7. that person makes sure the bills are being paid and that they are cleaning up after themselves and eating right. i have 2 young men with downs working in my restaurant right now. they do simple jobs...with lots of repetitive stuff. so they can be supervised very little. the sky is the limit really. remember corky or what ever his name was in the early 90's . he had a tv show about his life...pretty cool. congratulations on your new baby!

Answer 5

I AM NEITHER AN ADULT WITH DOWN SYNDROME NOR DO I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER THAS HAS D.S. BUT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE I EVER MET HAVE DOWN SYNDROME AND MOST DO QUITE WELL AS ADULTS,THEY ARE THE HAPPIEST,LOVING PEOPLE ON EARTH,WE SHOULD ALL BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE D.S. OR HAVE A CHILD WITH D.S.
I HAVE HEARD PARENTS OF D.S. CHILDREN THAT THEIR CHILD IS THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO THEM.