| By: Stephanie Holland | |
| There are so many people and events for our community to Remember: |
Ethan Saylor
A friend, family member, and citizen. A young man who was taken from us too soon. A laugh that was infectious. A legacy of devotion and change.
Activism
Recent laws, results of the efforts of tireless advocates, that have changed the world as we know it for children and adults who have Down syndrome. (Thanks to Joe Meares for putting the timeline together)
Progress
For some, changes in laws and attitudes have resulted in increased inclusion and greater opportunities. Battles had to be waged, but the results were fabulous!
Backlash
Woman with Down syndrome faces hostility on Portland streets Christina Mailhot watches for traffic before crossing the street at High and Congress streets in Portland. Navigating the city’s streets can be challenging, and she finds herself spending a lot of time alone in her apartment.
Despite progress in some areas, without major societal changes, those who have been included in K-12 education often face exclusion and limited opportunities as adults.
Eugenics
Between 60% to 90% of women who receive a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis end the pregnancy. (USA Today)
New prenatal testing procedures make it easier to detect Down syndrome before birth. Unless and until fair and balanced information is available with those tests, these statistics will continue and/or get worse. For adults who have Down syndrome, these statistics make the world less accepting of those who are already here.
Landmark Decisions
Abuse and neglect have plagued our community and have been discovered in many settings that were supposed to support people with disabilities. Landmark court decisions were necessary to facilitate change. With those decisions comes fear and a race to eliminate the possibility of recurrence. Those of us with adult children have experienced the results of poor planning and inadequate resources for unfunded mandates in the name of progress. As the nation and the world look for solutions to current abuses in the 'sheltered workshop' environment, we hope everyone remembers that there are real lives being affected with every decision.
Memories
The link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease is real and threatens the very health and memories of those we love.
The more things change...
Those of us on "The Road" have lived through a time of great change. We've advocated for our loved ones to the best of our ability. Now we've come together to face the challenges, questions, and JOY of adulthood. We remember the past, our own and those who came before us, and we move "forward with hope" toward a brighter future that comes with community.
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