...we’ve made strides as a society to counter various forms of injustice, we still have a long way to go when it comes to challenging #stereotypes surrounding those with #SpecialNeeds & #disabilities. #Ableism is still an under-discussed topic & that needs to change.
That’s why we’re so excited to see this woman with #DownSyndrome run her own #CookieBusiness & take down naysayers who believe that a person should be treated as less than because of their disabilities.
He was born (healthy!) 5 days early and has since been diagnosed with #downsyndrome
He seems to not have read the manual on Down syndrome as his defects are few and far between. If surgery is needed at all for his condition it’s incredibly minimal.
This will never change my wife or I’s love for him. He is a perfect human being and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I usually ride my age in km on my birthday but did not have time today. On my ride this morning I stopped by the beach to spend time with Anthony whom we had seen every Summer for many years. He always had a smile and something cheerful to say. We were born the same year.
Today is #WorldDownSyndromeDay and in my little corner here, I’ll be going on and on about #DownSyndrome , advocacy, and today’s theme: breaking stereotypes.
What could be more “normal” than enjoying a drink and scrolling at the bar?
Let’s start with a music video of a Monster Rock Band!
This is the theme song to a great book for children Black Day: The Monster Rock Band 🎸
Werewolf on guitar, Frankenstein is a great drummer, and the lead singer is Skeleton Pumpkin Head.
It’s never mentioned in the book, but here’s a secret, Skeleton Pumpkin Head has #DownSyndrome, just like his creator. Rock along, share generously, and celebrate #WorldDownSyndromeDay with us!
🇬🇧 I haven't seen such a complete "advertisement" in a long time. One that would make me want to watch it, that I find visually appealing, whose message is clear and concise, and at the same time, it can shock a few times if we are the type of person the spot talks about. Highly recommended!
🇵🇱 Dawno już nie widziałam "reklamy" tak kompletnej. Która sprawiałaby, że chcę ją oglądać, która podoba mi się wizualnie, której przekaz jest jasny i klarowny, a jednocześnie parę razy potrafi zaszokować, jeżeli jesteśmy typem człowieka, o którym ten spot mówi. Bardzo polecam!
This ad is really smart and well-done, challenging our assumptions about what people with Down Syndrome can do, and maybe that our assumptions are limiting them (surely true in many other cases too).
#Nao Saito, known by her stage name Nao, walked in the show of international designer #SaminaMughal, clad in a red gown tied with a gold "obi" sash. The dress was made by a Japanese company hoping to share #Japan's culture with the world.
"After analysing DNA from almost 10,000 people from ancient and pre-modern societies, our international team of researchers have discovered six cases of Down syndrome in past human populations.
Our results..show how people with Down syndrome lived in ancient populations. Although these individuals were very young when they died, they were all buried with care, indicating they were appreciated as members of their communities" #DownSyndrome#Archaeology#PreModern
Because it makes a difference knowing that people in the past were just like us. Knowing that children with #DownSyndrome 🧦 were lovingly cared for and were mourned 2,600 years ago:
Has anyone read that book- How to be More Clever and Faster
(Than your Loved One)
I’d buy and read it in a heartbeat. We’re going through a phase where son broke 2 pairs of his glasses in less than hour. He also tried to rip out the electric cable on a recliner. Unwary caregiver was lucky to pry Drew’s iron grip fist clutching his wired ear buds that were dangling. Fun stuff, eh? @caregivers #Dementia#AlzheimersSucks
@cobalt@Snowshadow@caregivers. I didn't know, until a few years ago, about the #DownSyndrome/#dementia link either. The article below says this: "Tau tangles and Aß plaques are evident in most people with Down syndrome by age 40, according to the National Institute on Aging, with at least 50% of this population developing #Alzheimer’s as they age."
KFAI’s Sam Jasmine interviews me on her show, "Disability & Progress," about my new memoir, Freeing Teresa:
Franke discusses her transition to advocating for #disabilityrights. She shares the story of her sister Teresa, who has #Downsyndrome, and how she fought against the idea of placing Teresa in a nursing home. Franke emphasizes the importance of speaking up in similar situations and shares the positive outcomes for Teresa, who is now an artist and author. https://kfai.org/program/disabilityandprogress/
Since, my last post ended up in a long thread about the pros and cons of sports, I'm curious, what is your family and personal history with sports?
I'll go first! My Dad grew up in a Sport's household. His Dad, my grandfather, was obsessed, and he wanted his sons to be too. My grandfather was tall with an athletic build like a swimmer, but he married a very petite 4'8" woman, who never weighed over a hundred pounds. Both my Dad and his Brother were average height with a slight build, neither played sports or were good at it when they tried. Not liking sports became my Dad's rebellion. He became a preacher instead, his Dad grew up in a Preacher's family, and hated it. When I was growing up, my Dad always pushed intelligence and spirituality over physicality, we only had a game on if my Grandfather was there. I got a little of both my parents, I've always been small and plump, what science calls a dumpling (please don't fact check this). I enjoyed group activities and non competitive sports. For instance I played volleyball (very poorly), but only enjoyed it if I was on the B team, and had no pressure to succeed in it. I did go through a brief period where I pretended to be really into sports, because I thought it would impress boys. I'd watch just enough to get highlights. I was basically like Moss in I.T. Crowd. Did you see that ludicrous display last night?!
@Robotron@RickiTarr one thing that's neat about one of my local rinks is that they have an active sled hockey league and if you ask, they'll bring you one of the sleds with a push bar for someone with #disabilaties, like my daughter. I did my best to try to teach her to skate, but there are a lot of issues with #downSyndrome that make it challenging. At least this way we could go out on the ice together.
She was in awe. Hint: people with Down syndrome often are better at taking in information visually. Her mom asked her if she wanted to do the party scene one day and she answered 'yes'. Apparently she isn't very verbal - not uncommon in #DownSyndrome
We just celebrated our 10th Anniversary 🎉 ⭐ !! My sister, @TeresaHeartchild, has lived with me and my husband, @billiamjames since Dec 1, 2013. It's a victory in so many ways. Teresa was wrongly labelled 'incapable' in 2013 and put in a nursing home. Most people don't get out alive—and they don't become #HumanRights champions as Teresa has done. 🙌
Ten years ago today, on Nov 27, 2013, my life and @TeresaHeartchild's were changed forever. Teresa was taken out for a nice breakfast -- and then put into a nursing home (with no medical need to be there and against her wishes).
Read the rollercoaster story: "Freeing Teresa: A True Story about Fighting #Ableism" https://a.co/d/cZgr0Lr#memoir#books#disability#forcedcare
Continuing rollercoaster: Ten years ago, on Nov 30, 2013, after getting Teresa out of the nursing home, we went back to my dad's condo to celebrate Teresa's freedom. The phone rang.
My sister Deirdre issued a warning: “If you do not return Teresa, the police will come and escort her. And you just think of how awful it’s going to be for that poor little girl to be dragged back [to the nursing home].”
Ten years ago today, on Dec 1, 2013, @TeresaHeartchild moved into our home. That day, Teresa & @billiamjames went out for lunch while I wrote a letter offering peace to my siblings. I said we'd help Teresa grow to her full potential. But my sister Siobhan scolded me for "extremely poor judgment." Despite that slap down, we persevered. We had Dad to dinner to ease the transition. And Teresa has lived with us ever since. 🥇
I've wanted to tell this true story for 10 years. Today, my book, "Freeing Teresa," is live in print and as an e-book. 🙌 Please help me spread the word!
Advance praise:
“A courageous, personal account of fighting the system—and family— to free Teresa from #forcedcare.” Alanna Hendren, Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities Association
🎉 This morning, actress ⭐ Lauren Potter ⭐ was in an LA studio recording for the "Freeing Teresa" #audiobook. Lauren is playing the role of @TeresaHeartchild ❤️, along with a full cast of actors! (You may remember her as the actress who played #BeckyJackson in #Glee.)