Shining bright: celebrating children with Down Syndrome
Every child is unique. Each has their own personality, strengths, interests, dreams, and way of seeing the world.
Children with Down syndrome are no different.
Celebrating children with Down syndrome means recognising their individuality, appreciating their achievements, and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
Ellie Goldstein is the first supermodel with Down Syndrome, who was told she wouldn’t walk (yet was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing). And that she wouldn’t learn (she gained a college education).
Now a passionate advocate to inspire other people with Down Syndrome, her heart, humour and hard work has enabled her to live the life of her dreams.
What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is simply a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. It can affect development and learning, but it does not define a child. Every child with Down syndrome develops at their own pace and has their own abilities and challenges.
A book on raising a child with Down Syndrome
Everybody Wants a Dance with Coraline is the book by the mother of a child with Down Syndrome who was born with two holes in her heart.
She and her husband struggled to find soaps that were gentle enough for her delicate skin, which led to the formation of the wonderful soap company Coraline Skincare.
Find inspirational posts at Liz’s blog Coraline and Us.
Supporting parents, educating society
Down Syndrome UK is a parent-led charity that offers support, and also challenges outdated stereotypes, focused on uplifting media portrayals.
Comedian and actress Sally Phillips (the ‘bear with’ actress on TV comedy series Miranda) has a son with Down Syndrome. She says it’s wonderful and also sometimes downright hilarious, due to his funny sense of humour!
Currently around 90% of babies with Down Syndrome are aborted. But this is not an illness, it’s simply a child who looks a bit different, and may have a few delays in learning. It’s message is:
Love doesn’t count chromosomes
Media stereostypes still need to change
Timmy Lang was the actor who starred in the Appropriate Adults episode of the popular TV series A Touch of Frost. He received huge accolades. David Jason said he was known as ‘one-take-Tim’ as he never needed to film a scene twice. And Bob Hoskin remarked ‘the boy is something special’.
Yet after that episode, he rarely received another acting job. His dream was to be in the soap operas, but the calls never came.
