Personal Narrative: Madison's Disability

In Nancy Mairs’ article for The New York Times, “Disability”, published in 1987, she expresses her distaste with the media's representation of handicapped people. Mairs, who struggled with multiple sclerosis herself, clearly and sharply conveys this disgust by stating, “I’m not, for instance, Ms. MS, a walking, talking embodiment of a chronic incurable degenerative disease.” (Mairs 13), and that she is actually, “the advertisers’ dream: Ms. Great American Consumer. And yet the advertisers, who determine nowadays who will get represented publicly and who will not, deny the existence of me and my kind absolutely”(Mairs 14). Mairs is greatly upset that disabled people are defined by their disabilities and, therefore, are underrepresented in public media. This might lead to one asking themselves, but why are they? And the answer, according to Mairs, is quite simple, “To depict disabled people in the ordinary activities of daily life is to admit that there is something ordinary about disability itself, that it may enter anybody’s life”(Mairs 14). Mairs concludes by pointing out how this effacement could have dangerous consequences for both disabled people and, as she called everyone else, TAPs (Temporarily Abled Persons) alike. Treating disabilities as an abnormal characteristic (as opposed to viewing them “as a normal characteristic, one that complicates but does not ruin human existence” (Mairs 15)) can cause one of these repercussions, as it makes the

Down Syndrome is “a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21. This genetic disorder, which varies in severity, causes lifelong intellectual disability and developmental delays, and in some people it causes health problems.” My cousin, Brian, has Down Syndrome and has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. On Sunday October 9, 2016, in Peoria, Illinois, I volunteered at the Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome spaghetti dinner. The food is donated from LaGondola Spaghetti House. There is a live raffle, as well as a silent auction. Throughout the afternoon and evening, there is a 50/50 raffle along with live entertainment. This is a non-profitable fundraiser. The money that is raised goes to the Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association to support: Support and Advocacy, Resource Library, Conference Stipends, Learning Program, Recreational Scholarships, Monthly Newsletters, New Parent and Grandparent Packets, Family Networking Opportunities, Quarterly Social Events, Speaker on Disability Issues, New Parent Open House, Workshops, and Collaboration with Service Agencies.

Knowing what it is like to be a sibling with someone with special needs. I know that other siblings

Unfortunately, as common in many children with Down syndrome, he was born with congenital heart defects amongst other medical issues and was constantly in and out of the hospital. Medical bills combined with our household bills meant that both my parents had to work and spent a lot of time away from home. Initially family members would take care of us, but I eventually took over most of the responsibility. Seeing my brother unable to walk on his own or even breathe on his own had a big impact on me as a child. I saw how much he struggled to do tasks that people took for granted and I began to appreciate simple things like my ability to communicate with others a lot more because I knew how difficult it was for my brother to even ask for a drink of water. By the time I entered middle school my brother had accomplished lots of things doctors claimed he would not and while everyone was worried about getting the latest brand name clothes, I was more interested in helping my ten year old brother learn things like sounding out the letters of the alphabet. The amount of responsibilities I had when it came to caring for him increased as we both got

In the first video about Down syndrome we learned about a young couple who when they had their first child, Kristen discovered that she was born with the malformation known as Down syndrome. They were very concerned for her health and struggled through the medical needs she had as an infant in relation to the Down syndrome which caused her to have 6 surgeries as a very young age. The same couple had another child who was not born with the malformation and were expecting their third child as well. Nicole, who is Kristen’s little sister actually seemed to stimulate development in Kristen, such as when Nicole started to crawl, so did Kristen. Kristen’s mom explained that while having a child with Down syndrome comes with great concerns, challenges

There are a lot of people in the world, and I had the chance to meet a girl that I hope will be my best friend forever. Have you ever meet someone and hoped that they will stay in your life forever? My best friend is Madison Cadle. Madison’s friendship is very important to me because she’s always there for me, she always makes me laugh, and she has helped me become the person I am today. Madison has always been there for me when I needed it like when I’m having trouble with something at school, or at cheer, or even with boys. She always makes me laugh when we are together because we always talk about our funny memories we have together like when we went to Cedar point, Florida or even Cheer Ohio. Madison has also helped me become the person

The aim of this paper is to show the need for services and education for both the public and parents of children with Down syndrome to assist in the transitioning into independent adult living.

My cousin Lizzie was adopted as an infant and is just a year younger than me. Growing up together, I have noticed that when we go places people stare at her and treat her differently because of her Down Syndrome. Even some of the members of our own extended family are not accepting of her and she has been excluded from attending more formal family events due to her short stature, younger looking age, and sensitivity to noise and crowds. However, socially I know that she is not that different than me. Just like any teenage girl, she loves to get her hair and nails done, hang out with friends, and use technology to stay connected. I have fond childhood memories of Lizzie coming to my house in the summer and going to the park or hanging at the pool with me. Just like me, she has activities she is passionate about, such as theater and singing, and excels at these activities.

One thing I think I have had trouble coming to terms with is my brother Nick’s disability. While he is almost only affected physically, I never want him to feel as though he is not capable of “normal” life experiences. My family has always done everything they can to support him and make him feel no different than anyone else. In the past he struggled with everyday tasks that I became accustomed to helping him with, such as putting on his shoes, helping him carry things when he uses his canes, and helping him up when he falls- literally and figuratively. I worry that people define my brother by his disability when I know that he is so much more than that. As discussed throughout my paper, my family has had many successful marriages,

I chose to read the autobiography by Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz called Count on us, growing up with Down syndrome. My own educational background tells me that Down syndrome occurs to a person when they have an extra twenty-first chromosome expressed in their gene sequence. The extra chromosome can cause muscles to not fully develop along with degraded mental capacity. Down syndrome is usually diagnosed at birth and in the case of Jason and Mitchell it was. There was and still is a negative stigma with Down syndrome but do to recent legislation and stories like this autobiography, we are more aware of how people can still function and have a high quality of life with this disability.

Don’t let your disabilities tell you that you can’t. Yes, disabilities make things a little harder, but there is nothing that can stop you from doing what you set out to do. By now, you probably guessed that I have a disability, but it’s not the kind that you think it is. My disability is special. It took me a long time to realize that, but I couldn't image my life without it now.

Growing up, my brother and I played with the other kids in our neighborhood, as most children do. My friends did not discriminate against my brother’s condition. Later on, I would find out that not everyone would be so accepting of him. My brother eventually started school. His early years at school where at times very tough for him. Not just from his disabilities but also

My group and I chose to focus our project around Down syndrome because we believe that it is important to break the stigma around special needs, Down syndrome in particular. We think that if people are more informed on the mental and physical effects than they will have a better idea of how to interact and communicate with people who have. We believe that the main issue with Down syndrome has very little to do with the actual disability, but rather the lack of knowledge people have around them. Many people who have little to no personal connection with someone who has special needs, they don't understand how Down syndrome or other disabilities affect the individual, therefore they might feel a bit uncomfortable conversing and socializing with

People have many choices in life- some are made for them, some they choose themselves. Among the five individuals viewed, each with exceptionally poignant inspiring stories, Cody was a personal favorite. Like Cody, I was born with many differences, numerous and complicated to the point my parents were told that had I been born even five years before, they would have watched me die. Among the handicaps I possess, hearing deficit has had the most impact on my life. I am almost completely deaf in my left ear, so I wear a hearing aid. And yet, like Cody, my disability has not stopped me or kept me from my passions. I find it ironic that my greatest passion lies in music, an art that requires the capability to hear.

Many people think that a person who has Down syndrome doesn’t live a normal life. Although they do have to work harder at some things, they can do most things that everyone else can do. Some have more issues than others. People with Down syndrome face obstacles such as physical and behavioral abnormalities, health issues, working, and social development skills, but there are different ways we can help.