Ever since its founding in 1986 as Parents of Children with Down
Syndrome, the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County has worked and fought
for equality, recognition and normal treatment for people with this condition.
The organization arranges speaking engagements for professionals who are well versed
in the disorder and promotes active education of parents, healthcareprofessionals and teachers in the various aspects of Down Syndrome.
The group also educates people with Down Syndrome themselves and gives
classes on societal integration, maintaining focus while in class or at work
and working with advocacy groups to promote understanding of Down Syndrome.
Perhaps the group’s most important mission is to correct misunderstandings and
misconceptions about Down Syndrome, of which there are, unfortunately, many.
For example, many people believe Down Syndrome to be an uncommon or rare
condition; however, one out of every 691 babies in the United States will be
born with the disorder. Also, while it may be true that, in the past, people
with Down Syndrome didn’t live long lives, medical advances and increased
knowledge of the condition have brought Down Syndrome-affected people’s
lifespan up to nearly average levels. Contrary to popular opinion, Down
Syndrome is not generally hereditary; only one percent of people with the
disorder gained it genetically. In most cases, it occurs randomly.
Through its work, the Network, and other organizations like it, has
raised awareness and built acceptance of people with Down Syndrome. Because of
these efforts, Down Syndrome-affected people no longer have to waste away in
asylums and other institutions. Almost all of them today live either at home
with their families or have progressed to being able to live on their own. As a
primary part of its mission, the Network seeks to empower people with Down
Syndrome to be able to make crucial decisions about their own lives and medical
care.
When it comes to education, great strides have been made over the last
20 years in integrating people with Down Syndrome into regular classes. While it
is true that people with Down Syndrome have developmental disabilities, they
are hardly the stereotype that people once perpetuated. In fact, through the
hard work of intrepid educators and advocacy groups like the Down Syndrome
Network of Montgomery County, many people with Down Syndrome are graduating
high school with regular diplomas and even going to college.
The Network wants and needs both monetary and volunteer help from the
community. It recognizes and values such voluntary contributions and encourages
a well-informed public to be active in the promotion of the inclusion of people
with Down Syndrome in everyday life and activities. The Network also strives to
support ethical behavioral research in the scientific community, along with
other types of research sanctioned within established human rights guidelines.
In short, the organization envisions a fully integrated world where people with
Down Syndrome can achieve everything they possibly can while being encouraged
by the community.
