Down Syndrome – What is it? What isn’t it?

For many people who read my blog, they won’t read any further than the title of this post because they don’t see this topic as relevant to them.  It’s like the single person having to sit through one more sermon series on marriage, knowing that there is little value to them personally, other than the ‘when/if it happens to me’ perspective.  I want to offer another perspective for you to consider.  God has a special place in his heart for the disadvantaged.  Scripture shows it over and over, and God calls us to minister to them on God’s behalf.  Can I encourage you to take a few minutes and learn something that you might not already know?  Who knows how God might use it to bless one of his children.

Down Syndrome is a chromosomal anomaly caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an additional third chromosome 21.  It occurs in about 1 out of every 800-1,000 births, in all races and economic groups.  The incidence goes up significantly with the age of the mother.  DS is the most frequent genetic cause of mild to moderate cognitive disabilities and associated medical problems.  Most people recognize someone with DS because of the physical features that usually are present, such as a flat facial profile, an upward slant to the eye, a short neck, abnormally shaped ears, and a single, deep transverse crease on the palm of the hand. However, a person with DS may not possess all of these features; some of these features can even be found in the general population. Several other well-known medical conditions, including hearing loss, congenital heart disease, and vision disorders, are more prevalent.

In the past, a diagnosis of DS has been much like delivering a death sentence.  In 1929, the average life span of an individual with DS was nine years.  By 1970, that had risen to 12.  Today, it is common for a person with DS to live to age fifty and beyond! In addition to living longer, people with DS are now living fuller, richer lives than ever before as family members and contributors to their community. Many people with DS form meaningful relationships and eventually marry. Now that people with DS are living longer, the needs of adults with the syndrome are receiving greater attention. With assistance from family and caretakers, many adults with DS have developed the skills required to hold jobs and to live semi-independently.

Some fictional works have portrayed those with cognitive disabilities as being dangerous.  They have been portrayed as killers, psychopaths, child molesters, and all sorts of crazy stuff.  Let me tell you how angry that makes me.  It might make for good scary-movie entertainment, but it fosters the kind of misinformation that casts doubts and keeps a society at arms length from individuals with DS.  There is absolutely no statistical support to indicate that such behavior is associated with DS.  It’s just nonsense.

I guess the thing I’d like you to know, beyond all the facts and figures, is that a person with DS is far more like you than they are different.  They have feelings.  If you insult them, they get hurt, discouraged and withdrawn.  If you demonstrate caring towards them, they will experience joy, encouragement and a sense of belonging.  Sounds a lot like you and me, right?

If you don’t already have the privilege of doing life with a person with DS, I pray someday you may.  You might just experience life from a little different perspective.