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Geralyn Spiesz: Doors opening for all with Down syndrome

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A spectacular movement has been taking place over the past few decades. This movement has pushed boundaries, changed minds and opened doors. The people who have benefited from these efforts have reached the bar of expectation and in many cases shattered it on their way up.

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and it is the perfect time for a new awareness of the astounding achievements of people who have Down syndrome. Today, 50 years after the extra chromosome responsible for Down syndrome was identified, our children’s potential is unlimited.

I am a mother of three boys. It was a shock when my husband and I learned our third son Lucas had Down syndrome. But we soon realized that our expectations for

Lucas were the same as those for our other boys. I would never entertain the notion that any of my children’s potential was limited.

My first job as an occupational therapist was in developmental disabilities. Today, many more years later than I care to admit, I am amazed at the progress and change that has occurred. After Lucas was born I began learning all about Trisomy 21 and kept coming back to the same question: How could the presence of an extra chromosome mean severe disability and delay a few decades ago, yet children with Down syndrome today are successfully completing regular academics in school and becoming an integral part of society? Better yet, how much further can we go?

This journey began with parents who fought against a system that sent their children to institutions and taught them at home things the specialists of the day didn’t think they could learn. These parents stood strong against a school system that didn’t believe their children could learn alongside others. These parents’ hearts burst with pride as they won the right to put their children on a school bus to the neighborhood school and their hearts broke from outrage when society would limit their children’s opportunities because of outdated ideas.

Today universities are putting programs in place to attract and graduate people with intellectual disabilities, making a college education a reality for many.

The medical profession put together comprehensive health care plans so the often deadly complications that can come with Down syndrome can be aggressively and successfully treated. Early intervention services were made available to babies so that not a precious minute of their unlimited potential was wasted.

I thank all of these people and I eagerly accept the torch from them. In a few decades people with Down syndrome have gone from needing maximal help with basic tasks to completing degrees, having relationships and fulfilling their dreams.

Karen Gaffney, who has Down syndrome, received a regular high school diploma with a 3.4 grade point average, earned a college degree and swam Lake Tahoe competitively, more than once. She is the president of her own self-named foundation and travels the country educating society on the true realities of Down syndrome. She is but a representative of thousands of people who are achieving things few thought possible.

As the movement continues, current thought will be challenged, and more doors will open. Our children will succeed and take the torch from us. With a new awareness, a parent’s heart, a loud voice and a society open to a new reality of Down syndrome, I believe we haven’t seen anything yet.