Global Down Syndrome

Michelle and daughter Sophia Cover photo by Asa Dyer from the EDITOR WELCOME TO DOWN SYNDROME WORLD™, A PUBLICATION OF THE GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION Can people with Down syndrome fly? A 9-month-old boy in Utah startled and delighted the world when he took flight with his father's help. But the flight and, I would argue, the acceptance of people with Down syndrome can be documented back to 1515 with the Netherlandish painting, The Adoration of the Christ Child, shown in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Individuals with Down syndrome are clearly depicted in the scene, including as angels and overseers. I hope both images in this issue inspire people with Down syndrome and their families to continue to break the sound barrier and fight discrimination so our children and adults can reach their true potential. Many other individuals and organizations who are refusing to limit people with Down syndrome are featured in this issue. Ed McCaffrey, along with several Super Bowl champions and the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, teach athletic and leadership skills and create lifelong friendships. Dedicated doctors are working to make dual diagnoses, feeding problems, and lung disease manageable or even curable. Local Down syndrome organizations, such as the Down Syndrome Association of the Hudson Valley, are providing life-changing resources and joining forces with government officials on both sides of the aisle. The end results are self- advocates, such as Damani Tichawonna and Emma Toohey, who make a strong case for equality in the areas of research, medical care, education, job opportunities, and living standards. Reflecting on the 1515 painting hanging in the Met, I believe it is important to note that history is not necessarily linear — worse before, better later. Even today, there are many countries that discriminate in inhumane terms and would have the rest of the world follow suit. We are fortunate to be based in the United States where equality for all is the accepted rule. I believe we have a responsibility to protect and build upon that equality and ensure that people who are differently-abled are at the proverbial table. MICHELLE SIE WHITTEN PRESIDENT & CEO, GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION PUBLISHER/EDITOR, DOWN SYNDROME WORLD MICHELLE SIE WHITTEN Publisher and Editor CONTRIBUTORS The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through Research, Medical Care, Education, and Advocacy. JOAQUÍN ESPINOSA, PH.D. Executive Director Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome TOM BLUMENTHAL, PH.D. Director Emeritus Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome NICOLE TSCHETTER Contributing Writer JULIE SMITH Content Manager MEGAN LINDSTROM Proofreader MARISA CUCUZZELLA Proofreader ELLEN R. MEDNICK Proofreader GLOBALDOWNSYNDROME.ORG 3

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