Woman with Down syndrome inspires families in Washington state – KNDO/KNDU-TV, Yakima, Washington — Karen Gaffney (left) speaks out about her experiences earning a regular high school diploma and a degree from Portland Community College, swimming across Lake Tahoe, and participating in a relay team that swam the English Channel. Says Gaffney:

“I’ve changed all that data.  I’ve changed their doubts. I have improved and inspired so many lives, spread my messages of being fully included in a regular classroom setting.”

Link to video here; earlier video of Karen Gaffney on the NBC Today show here.

People with Down syndrome live fully — letter to the Sacramento Bee from Elaine Linn. An excerpt:

People with Down syndrome go to school, work, have meaningful relationships, make decisions about their lives and live independently. They become dedicated employees and loyal friends.

… There’s something terribly wrong with a society that purportedly values diversity yet places a distinct lack of value on people who aren’t “perfect.” I don’t know one perfect person and it’s hard to understand this willing acceptance of terminating pregnancies based on inaccurate information about potential “imperfections.” Yet it exists 90 percent of the time with Down syndrome.

Avoid Tropic Thunder, a cruel comedy — by Eric Johnson in the Grand Forks, ND, Herald

The fact is that even among the various species of hate speech, ridicule of those with retardation is unique in its brutishness. Unlike racial minorities, religious adherents or the physically disabled, those with developmental disabilities cannot well defend themselves with wit and well-crafted retorts. That’s why the arguments of Downey and Black — that everyone has the right to say whatever they want — are especially hollow.

New system for developmentally disabled is needed — Sheila Romano in the Springfield, IL, Journal Register (institutionalization, housing)

Taking the fear out of difference — Baltimore Sun (education, attitudes)

Family sues L.A. hospital over disappearance of disabled man — Los Angeles Times (hospitals)

Man’s identity paid for others’ bills — Chicago Tribune (fraud)

Q-C families hope Palin candidacy helps clear misconceptions about Down syndrome — Quad City Times, Davenport, IA (Campaign 2008)

Group empowers young women with disabilities — ABC7 News Chicago — with video (advocacy)

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 21st, 2008 at 11:51 pm and is filed under Down syndrome, advocacy, celebrities, education, entertainment, group homes, hospitals, housing, independent living, institutionalization, movies, public attitudes, stigma, video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.