Post-Modern Slavery: Fetal Chromosomal Slavery
Post-Modern Slavery: Fetal Chromosomal Slavery

The slavery system, today and in its latest advancement, has considered fetuses (future humans) that have an extra chromosome as abnormal and low-rank fetuses (future humans), regarded them worthless, and attempted to commit genocide!


Do you know anything about this genocide? Nowadays, many fetuses, who have an extra chromosome, are killed alive in the mothers’ uteri lest a person with Down syndrome may not be born. This is while research has shown that fetuses having Down syndrome, like all other fetuses, are very likely to feel pain after the 20th week of their fetal lives.

Read More
Discrimination, GenocideAnonymousGenocide, Slavery, Down syndrome, Advocacy, AwarenessComment
New Year, New Goals
New Year, New Goals

We have been restructuring our organization, as well as our website, and so we apologize for our delayed absence. Save Down Syndrome’s blog posts will continue to be posted every Monday and we hope that you’ll continue to follow along.

We are so thrilled to share with you all of our accomplishments from 2019 made possible by our fellow advocates and to share our goals for this new year!

Read More
Advocacy and AwarenessLindsay RobertsonNonprofit, Down Syndrome, Goals, Awareness Comment
Students with Intellectual Disabilities Can Use Federal Funds for College Opportunities
Students with Intellectual Disabilities Can Use Federal Funds for College Opportunities

With more than 260 College Programs available for students with Intellectual Disabilities (ID), it’s no longer a question of whether the new generation of students with ID can go to college but how to pay for it…..College programs are expensive. Tuition is often as much or more than tuition for typical college students. This coupled with the fact that most families of children with ID have no savings for their adult child really creates a real barrier to these new college opportunities.

Read More
Education, InclusionCourtney Hanseneducation, InclusionComment
Respect Is The New R Word
Respect Is The New R Word

In the last couple of years people with Down syndrome have been targeted by comedians, cruel memes, and those who are trying to call others down and it needs to stop. We need to find another way to get a point across instead of marginalizing people who deserve to be treated with Respect. 

Read More
Kate ManducaComment
American Girl: A Follow Up To Our Open Letter
American Girl: A Follow Up To Our Open Letter

Earlier this year I wrote an open letter to American Girl with the hopes that they would see how much making a doll with Down syndrome features and characteristics would mean to so many. The only response I received from the company was a generic reply letting me know that they celebrate all kids and are constantly working to show diversity, but they had no immediate plans to create a doll with Down syndrome because they didn’t want to offend the community.

Read More
Discrimination, InclusionLindsay RobertsonDown Syndrome, American Girl, InclusionComment
Busting the Myths Surrounding ABLE Accounts
Busting the Myths Surrounding ABLE Accounts

Are you still skeptical about opening an ABLE account for your child with Down syndrome? Do you believe that your child’s SSI or Medicaid benefits would be at risk? Are you afraid the government will take the savings if your child passes?

Even though roughly 10 million Americans could benefit from an ABLE account, only 35,000 accounts have been opened since the first program started in 2016.

Read More
Financial PlanningCourtney HansenABLE, finances, Down syndromeComment
Why People First Language Is So Important
Why People First Language Is So Important

What is “People First Language” and what does it mean? People First Language refers to the individual first instead of their diagnosis. For instance, you would say, “Charlie has Down syndrome,” NOT “The Down syndrome kid, Charlie.” People First Language eliminates stereotypes, generalizations and assumptions about individuals, instead making the conversation about that person versus making it about their diagnosis. All people with Down syndrome are not alike, just like all people who have Autism are not alike. They each have their own personalities and characteristics making them, you guessed it, an individual.

Read More
Advocacy and Awareness, People First LanguageLindsay RobertsonLanguage, Advocacy, Awareness, Down syndrome Comment
When Being "You" is a Form of Activism
When Being "You" is a Form of Activism

You know what’s ice cold these days? The newest trend since goths vs. jocks? Being yourself! The art of self-promotion is palpable; just look on social media. Everyone is selling a version of themselves; the more unique, the more dope. Many people with disabilities also develop and embrace an innate sense of self. My son and many kids and adults I’ve met with an extra chromosome love who they are. They truly are dope! The problem is they’re often not allowed to be themselves and still fit in. The trend doesn’t extend to them.

Read More
Advocacy and Awareness, InclusionCourtney HansenAdvocacy, Awareness, Activism, Down syndromeComment
Dear Doctor
Dear Doctor

When we had Alice, all of the doctors in the hospital were incredibly negative with us. They told us that she had Down syndrome in a very depressing way. They did not congratulate us. They told us they were sorry. They acted like it was the end of the world for us. I would have given anything in that moment for one sliver of hope... but the doctors didn't give it.

As I've met and talked to so many other moms of kids with Down syndrome, I realize that 99% of them had the same experience. This is wrong, and it needs to stop.

Read More
Discrimination, Advocacy and Awareness, Inclusion, GenocideAnn Poirier#deardoctor, Dear Doctor Campaign, Down syndrome, Advocacy, Awareness, InclusionComment
The List
The List

On December 26th 2017, when we discovered that there was a 96% chance that Rowan had Down syndrome, the genetic counselor told us that whatever we wanted to do they would arrange. Like what do you mean? Like terminate her life? You mean terminate that little girl we saw on the screen moving around, with 10 fingers and 10 toes, and a little fluttering heart... that ONE? Yes. It wasn't that direct but you get the point... They were just doing their job. A job that no doubt is difficult when delivering news that can be upsetting.

Additionally, they slid over "THE LIST". The list with all the things that may occur with Down syndrome…

Read More
Kendra EichlerComment
Recognizing Trauma In Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
Recognizing Trauma In Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

From talking to a wide number of parents, care-givers, family members, healthcare professionals and the like, recognizing trauma in individuals who are intellectually delayed, or those who may be nonverbal, is a big concern; “What if something happens and we can’t tell?,” “What if they can’t express what’s going on and it continues?” The list of questions and concerns over this one topic are endless and I’ll admit, I’ve thought about it myself. As a mother of a daughter who has Down syndrome, the very last thing I want to think about is the possibility of some kind of abuse occurring and my daughter unable to tell me about it.

So what can we do? We educate ourselves on the signs and symptoms of abuse and the steps we take if it does occur.

Read More
Advocacy and Awareness, EducationLindsay RobertsonAbuse, discrimination, Down Syndrome, educationComment
Everyone Has A Voice
Everyone Has A Voice

"This is a common misconception about all kids with disabilities, that they can’t or won’t learn, especially if they are non-verbal. When the most amazing teacher came in to the FLS class last year, she saw these kids as who they really were, and within one year of this new teacher, every single kid in the class grew leaps and bounds. Julia, who also has Down syndrome and had never been able to communicate now was pointing to “yes” and “no” cards, and making decisions for herself. That gave her so much confidence that she soon became the sassiest teenager I’ve ever met, sneaking out of the room when no one was looking and licking folders when she didn’t want to do her class job. But the biggest change was in Josue.”

Read More
Discrimination, Advocacy and Awareness, InclusionMallory BlackwellInclusion, Acceptance, Awareness, Down SyndromeComment
Ninth Circuit Court Rules Student with Down syndrome Can Be Moved to Life Skills Class at New School
Ninth Circuit Court Rules Student with Down syndrome Can Be Moved to Life Skills Class at New School

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled an Arizona school district can move an elementary student with Down syndrome to a public school outside his neighborhood. The student would receive an additional 20 minutes of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in an “academic SCILLS classroom” at this new school.

Read More
Education, Inclusion, DiscriminationCourtney Hansendown syndrome, education, supreme court, InclusionComment
Individuals with Down syndrome Making Headlines
Individuals with Down syndrome Making Headlines

Someone recently told me that the head soccer coach at my alma mater -- Xavier University in Cincinnati -- has a little girl with Down syndrome too!  I had no idea.

The Xavier soccer coach's name is Andy Fleming.  He and his wife Amy have four children, and the second -- a little girl named Devin -- has Down syndrome.  Since Devin was born, Andy and Amy have hosted one soccer game per year called "Devin's Game."  Devin gets to go out on the field at this annual game, kick the ball around and show people the beauty (and cuteness) of Down syndrome.

Read More
Advocacy and Awareness, InclusionAnn Poirierdown syndrome, news, advocacyComment
Why Your Child Needs a "No Consent" Letter For Restraint and Seclusion
Why Your Child Needs a "No Consent" Letter For Restraint and Seclusion

A study of 99% of public schools by the United States Office of Civil Rights found that students with disabilities are restrained and secluded at a much higher rate than their typical peers. The office found that although students served under IDEA make up only 12% of the U.S. public school population, they make up 67% of students who were restrained or secluded.

That’s 70,000 students with disabilities who were restrained or secluded in the 2013-14 school year, for which the last data was recorded. Let that sink in for a moment. And assuredly there’s a lot more incidents that are not reported.

Read More
Discrimination, EducationCourtney Hansendown syndrome, abuse, neglectComment
Inclusion; It All Starts With a Hello
Inclusion; It All Starts With a Hello

s parents of kids who are differently abled, we all strive for one common goal; inclusion and acceptance of our children. You would think it would be easy for kids to make friends with other kids or for people to accept others without questions or hesitations. However, that’s not always the case. But reaching out and educating others is something we can all do in order to help make a change. Kate Manduca, an Ambassador and contributing writer for Save Down Syndrome, did just that. She recently sent a letter to her newspaper, about inclusion and acceptance regarding individuals who have Down syndrome.

Read More
Advocacy and Awareness, InclusionKate Manducaacceptance, advocacy, Education, down syndrome, InclusionComment
A World Without Down syndrome?
A World Without Down syndrome?

In August 2017 after a CBS news crew traveled to Iceland a report was released titled “Inside The Country Where Down Syndrome Is Disappearing”. Since the introduction of more advanced prenatal screening tests in the early 2000’s the vast majority of women in Iceland, almost 100%, who received a positive prenatal test for Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, elected to terminate their pregnancy. On average, only 2 babies are born per year with Down syndrome in Iceland. Geneticist and founder of deCODE Genetics, Kari Stefansson, has studied nearly the entire Icelandic population’s DNA and has his own perspective on the advancements made in medical technology.

Read More
Discrimination, Genocide, Advocacy and AwarenessHeather Hanenburgdown syndrome, save down syndrome, eradicationComment
20 Companies That Employ People With Down syndrome
20 Companies That Employ People With Down syndrome

“Decades ago, people with Down syndrome were institutionalized at birth.  Doctors believed that people with Down syndrome "could not learn, could not add value to the world and could not be employed."

Obviously, this is extremely untrue.  Thanks to full inclusion into mainstream schools, people with Down syndrome are learning right alongside their peers -- and doing great.  Thanks to the generally positive nature and bright light of people with Down syndrome, they are adding exceptional value to the world.  And, thanks to employers that recognize that people with Down syndrome are not only employable but also valuable assets to a workplace, many businesses have opened their doors to employ countless people with Down syndrome.”

Read More
Inclusion, EmploymentAnn PoirierInclusion, down syndrome, employmentComment
Patsy Christy: Possibility of Shock Parole
Patsy Christy: Possibility of Shock Parole

On January 10, 2019, Patsy and Albert Christy plead guilty to wreckless homicide for abusing and neglecting their son, Logan, for 20 years until their abuse lead to his death. Logan was kept in his room with a padlock on the door. The window to his room was shattered, the floor covered with glass and feces, since he was locked in and unable to use the restroom. Logan had been starved, and kept from water. At the time of his death, he had also contracted pneumonia, most likely from the winter air coming through his broken window. For all of this, Patsy and Albert Christy were each only sentenced to 5 years in prison with the option for parole by the following April.

Read More
Genocide, Discrimination, Advocacy and AwarenessKaitlin Pepperdown syndrome, save down syndrome, justice, advocacy, advocateComment