Neurodiversity - The Book

A “cure” for Down syndrome? — Reader feedback: Contrarian

In response to news reports that it may be possible in the future to "cure" Down syndrome by intervening early in development using psychoactive medication, Jenn Power, the mother of identical twins with Down syndrome, responded on the blog Contrarian:

"As you know, I have many years of history supporting people with intellectual disabilities. Through my connections with these remarkable people, both personal and professional, I have become more and more convinced of the fundamental human dignity present in each person, the vital importance of diversity among the human race, and the particular and irreplaceable role that folks with intellectual disabilities play in creating a more humane, compassionate, and hospitable society. It is clear to me that, as a society, we need what people with intellectual disabilities have to offer."

via contrarian.ca

Special Olympics Swimmer Andrew Smilley Tops in Open Water

[Cayman Islands, Cay Compass Online - January 4, 2010] "Special Olympics swimmer Andrew Smilley has notched another amazing milestone in his young life by topping an online poll for braving the cold and placing highly in an open water swim last year in San Francisco.

Among an extraordinarily impressive field of outstanding open water swimming heroes, the San Francisco Bay swim of Smilley just out–voted the world record setting relay team of Camlough, Ireland as the 2009 Greatest Open Water Swim of the Year.

Out of 9,133 votes cast by fans around the globe, 2,086 individuals voted for Andrew and 2,003 voted for the Camlough team.

Cayman’s Smilley, 19, placed 107th in a field of 800 swimmers in the RCP Tiburon Mile where the Special Olympics ace also placed third in the 19–29 age in the non–wetsuit division in the San Francisco Bay in his first ever cold–water experience.

Special Olympics CEO and Chairman Tim Shriver said: 'Far too often, our athletes, athletes with intellectual disabilities, are viewed for what they can’t do. But Andrew Smilley is showing the world what he can do and we congratulate his effort for being selected as the Greatest Open Water Swim of 2009.

'Andrew’s performance in the RCP Tiburon Mile is just one example of how Special Olympics athletes are accomplishing great things that many just dream to achieve.'"

via www.caycompass.com

Woman with Down Syndrome Graduates from College

Katie Apostolides, who has Down Syndrome, graduated in 2009 from Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Pennsylvania with an associate's degree in science.  This makes her one of the first (if not the first) individuals with Down Syndrome to complete a post-secondary degree.  She has had a number of news articles follow her academic progress, including one in the New York Times,which noted that "she is at the forefront of a wave of cognitively challenged students who are demanding, and gaining, a place on campus nationwide." The article noted that there are over 100 programs nationwide that place cognitively impaired students in post-secondary classrooms and dormitories (note, however, that students with intellectual disabilities still find it difficult to be accepted in residential programs - see, for example the story of one cognitively impaired student who was denied the right to live in a dormitory at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, as a result of a judge's court order).  I'd be interested in hearing of other students with intellectual disabilities who are engaged in post-secondary programs, and/or about to graduate from them.  Stories like Katie's serve as a wake-up call for those who place arbitrary limits on what people with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities can achieve.  It also serves as an inspirational model for all of us concerning what can happen when a person with a cognitive disability refuses to be limited by other people's expectations.