Persons suffering from down syndrome are getting set to take their rightful place in the Dominican society.
President of the Dominica National Down Syndrome Society Incorporated Doreen Ashby says members of the organization are hoping to have an audience with government officials to bring their concerns to the fore.
“We want to address the issue of education, sports and the way we are being treated. Sports, music, drama and other aspects are also on the cards to make people suffering from the disability,” she said.
She said a better life for those who suffer from the disability means that they would be able to contribute better in society “and some people just don’t understand that”.
“We want all Dominicans and everywhere to give us their support because down-syndrome is a disability like any other and we want people to know that there are a lot of things that those suffering with the disability could do but they are not given the opportunity,” she added.
According to Medline Plus, down syndrome is set of mental and physical symptoms that result from having an extra copy of chromosome 21. Even though people with Down syndrome may have some physical and mental features in common, symptoms of Down syndrome can range from mild to severe. Usually, mental development and physical development are slower in people with Down syndrome than in those without it.
People with the syndrome may also have other health problems. They may be born with heart disease. They may have dementia. They may have hearing problems and problems with the intestines, eyes, thyroid and skeleton.
Down syndrome cannot be cured. However, many people with Down syndrome live productive lives well into adulthood.
This article was posted five years ago. Thanks to Doreen Ashby and DNO, along with a few well informed commentators, more is known now about down syndrome in Dominica. As you raise awareness government officials are going to feel the need to do more to make life more bearable for those who are disadvantaged with this condition.
There are conditions for which there is no natural or medical ”cure”. In some of these situations governments can give assistance by making funds available for better medical care, special education, and improving the way they are treated in society.
Children in our schools must be taught that not all boys and girls are the same. There is a diversity in the community. Some children have special needs. Students should be made to understand that they must be kind to one another. This means being careful how they speak TO one another and what they say ABOUT another student.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
People do not suffer from a disability it is a diagnosis of a disorder not a disease. Downs Syndrome especially is a chromosomal disorder and individuals may also have some form of mental retardation. However like with most other diagnosed intellectual disabilities, access to appropriate early intervention will allow these individuals may live a productive life.
It is my hope that Dominicans continue to have more discussions on mental intellectual and physical disabilities. However for it to be a productive discussion we need to start with changing the language that we use to describe and talk about these individuals.
Kudos to the organization they are certainly headed in the right direction.
Not a single comment in regards to this topic! This speaks volumes of the quality and mindset of our nationals at home and in the diaspora. This behaviour fortifies my position on our mental underdevelopment.