Today is World Down Syndrome Day, a day that we celebrate those with an extra copy of the 21st chromosome.
Our festivities however, always seemed to be tinged with a note of sadness, as those with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities continue to be discriminated against in all aspects of life. From our everyday common language, to our medical systems, to our laws, to our education systems, we continue to deem those that are a little different as defective, inferior, not worthy.
Life, not worthy, of life. Although it has been many years since Aktion T4, these eugenics principles still linger.
Of the many little educational factoids that you may read today about Down syndrome (including this list here), somewhere between 5 to 10 percent of those with an extra 21st chromosome are also diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder. The intersectionality between these two communities, and in fact many more as well, is more substantial than you might think.
Join us today for the World Down Syndrome Day edition of the T21 Blog Hop. Instead of the usual three days that it is open (representing the three copies of Trisomy 21), it will be extended to a full seven days. Advocacy posts are welcome from all areas of neurodiversity: whether showing your T21 pride, advocating for a better world for those with developmental delays or asking for once and for all for the world to #stopcombatingme, add your posts for seven days of blogging excellence.
Our festivities however, always seemed to be tinged with a note of sadness, as those with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities continue to be discriminated against in all aspects of life. From our everyday common language, to our medical systems, to our laws, to our education systems, we continue to deem those that are a little different as defective, inferior, not worthy.
Life, not worthy, of life. Although it has been many years since Aktion T4, these eugenics principles still linger.
Of the many little educational factoids that you may read today about Down syndrome (including this list here), somewhere between 5 to 10 percent of those with an extra 21st chromosome are also diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder. The intersectionality between these two communities, and in fact many more as well, is more substantial than you might think.
Join us today for the World Down Syndrome Day edition of the T21 Blog Hop. Instead of the usual three days that it is open (representing the three copies of Trisomy 21), it will be extended to a full seven days. Advocacy posts are welcome from all areas of neurodiversity: whether showing your T21 pride, advocating for a better world for those with developmental delays or asking for once and for all for the world to #stopcombatingme, add your posts for seven days of blogging excellence.
