Making A Life Worth Living: My Life With Down Syndrome

The very existence of children who were born with Down syndrome is threatened as never before. The latest non-invasive tests during pregnancy mean parents will know with close to 100% accuracy whether their unborn child has downs, and the current reality is that most will choose to abort. Are you choosing children in the way that you choose products?
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From: A Life Worth Living
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[@Savoiefair64]

I have a 33-year-old Down Syndrome daughter and feel that we are indeed the lucky ones! She is nothing but a delight and a joy and has a fantastic life. If you ask her she will tell you❤

[@ttbaby1342]

God Bless you 🙏🏽 ❤

[@janetwhite7786]

How marvelous. I can only imagine what it would be like to live your life with no malice in your heart. These are truly exceptional people in an exceptional time.

[@dawnatkinson7704]

The fact is that not all parents are able to cope with a child with learning difficulties. Also, whilst their is no doubt that no one would want this for their children, the people in this documentary have been fortunate enough to have wonderful families and they in turn have turned out beautiful.

[@candylove49]

They also may not have the extra funds to get them in the programs and give them the resources they need.

[@amythus6139]

I grew up and went to school from Kindergarten through grade 12 with 2 kids with Down's. We even rode the same school bus. Everybody loved both of them. They were the kindest, sweetest, funniest, most loving people I've ever met. They were truly a blessing. I loved that they said they're superior beings. Pure souls.

[@freereinartstudio1463]

Yes!! My experience too.

[@imsickoflife1651]

I would change myself if I could. I hate being disabled. I hate everything about it. I’m dead tired. It’s been decades of pain & anguish. I’ve tried everything. I want rest.

[@karmaMatters123]

I’m so sorry you are struggling. I hope you have a supportive circle. Life definitely is not easy and I do not know your struggles but so many “able bodied” people struggle. I only say this in hopes you don’t feel alone. Please reach out to family, friends and associations that may be able to help. I do not know your situation or struggles so please know I come from a place of kindness. Are there groups or associations that you can be a part of that can relate? Anything that you enjoy or could be a positive influence on? You are here and have a purpose, I hope you find that purpose and happiness. ❤️🙏🏼

[@Purpleglucose]

Me too its very new to me. But wears me out mentally and physically

[@cruisepaige]

Hugs.

[@crystalhealing847]

I am reading your comment feeling many emotions but certainly not yours....I have always read that some people who are born with physical and mental differencies are special people born to stimulate love care and empathy in everyone around them.....they are the silent teachers...the heroes and heroines of old.....the long lost friend and the never met mother....you are special beings....testers and teachers of humanity....I embrace you from Italy and thank you for BEING🙏💖❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎

[@kimwhatmatters4085]

@@crystalhealing847 the probably weren’t born with it. Idk I could be wrong but I just lost my grandma because she couldn’t live disable she felt like she was losing sooo much instead of thinking about a new way of living and freedom.

[@christinablair1978]

"A Downs is not a person." That statement literally made my stomach churn and my blood boil, sickening ignorance...

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

As a disabled person who advocates against spreading genetic issues that cause lifetimes of pain that comment is still very abhorrent.

[@lwscijunkie]

One big problem in choosing to keep or terminate a Down's pregnancy is that no one, not even the elite experts know, before birth and even for several years after birth just how seriously affected by DS any individual will be. Trisomy 21 can be absolutely devastating, even deadly, or people can truly thrive.

[@Alexxxis6]

I've met some wonderful people with DS, but also a few terrors! They're not all gentle, happy, or relatively healthy. It would be nice if science could improve their health without changing their core.

[@surlywithfabshoes]

Correct. And what happens when the parents die or are unable to provide care? It gets shifted to siblings that have their own lives. Now matter how willing, it can be a huge burden. Or outside help is needed which is very expensive. Particularly if they develop dementia. It’s not that I think they should all be aborted based solely on their diagnoses, but the reality of the situation needs to be addressed. They don’t stay little and cute, and parents aren’t forever young and strong.

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

Lol it's almost like ppl with Downs are like normal humans! /s (Some cool some suck.)

[@candylove49]

The pendulum has swung completely to the other side. It went from they’re “less that human” in the 1960s to “they are superhuman!” in 2022. Both are stripping them of being who they truly are…..JUST HUMAN.

[@brambigdeli5021]

Rosia (I think it is)is absolutely adorable and Frank is an amazing individual and human being and astoundingly enlightened and extraordinarily smart

[@KolorfulDreamsArtKda]

It's Rocío.

[@hannahreitsch9663]

I have had the pleasure to meet and get to know a few people with Down syndrome, they are truly some of the happiest people I've met. They can definitely teach those who are caught up in the everyday norms of trying to meet societal expectations...they just live and actually enjoy it. I envy that for sure. It is amazing to see little Rosia get ready for the day and be so responsible ( I struggle with my 8 year old to even brush her teeth!!) She is just a really well rounded kid. She has a great support system.

[@sedonarose7563]

I’m a Speech-Language Pathologist. Receiving speech, occupational and physical therapies is one of the enormous supports our society provides to people with DS. Please encourage any family you know who has a DS member to seek these services to maximize our DS siblings’ independence and effectiveness in participating in daily activities and socializing. 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

Yeah that is only if the parents can afford it or get it covered by Medicare if they're lucky. I'm disabled btw. I cannot afford bare medical care for myself.

[@sedonarose7563]

@@Memento_Mori_Morals You’re absolutely right. Public schools provide services and most children/minors can receive free benefits IF they can find a therapist 😓😓 So you’re right that it is far from easy. Best wishes and kind regards with your endeavors to receive cares. I’m sure you’ve already looked at disability Medicare/Medicaid. And it’s really disgusting to me that our society doesn’t invest more finances in to supporting those of us who have chronic illnesses. As the young man said, his life is worth living. My life (despite my own disabilities) is worth living. Your life is worth living.

[@LL----LL34]

Absolutely beautiful documentary, definitely a big well-done to the producer and director. In trying to cover different parts of the world.

[@leopaddy3535]

These beautiful people are a true blessing.The world is a much better place with them in it.

[@littlegirllost2654]

Good parents produce good children, bad parents produce bad children, sounds normal to me. Just like the father here says with the right encouragement. My cousin was born with Downs and she was born to parents from the country in the 1940’s. No help and they did the best they could at the time. She grew up with love but no help. She became massively overweight but had a good life

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

I had a cousin who had very severe Downs, his life was suffering and pain for 23 years until he finally died a painful and slow death from infection. I'm disabled and my mom prolly shoulda aborted me, my family and myself woulda been better off if I never had been born sadly.

[@oceanark77]

I work in Assisted Living & take care of a man with Down Syndrome. He's super smart and thriving as an elderly man.

[@margaretpeabody243]

My niece is a Downs and she is 40 and lives with a foster mother and other foster kids with disabilities. Unfortunately she has dementia.

[@allie54774]

I went to mainstream primary and secondary school with a girl my age who had down syndrome. She was absolutely fantastic and always used to address me by my full name, & when she saw me years later at my work she still did the same thing! 😅 (I have a really long name so it was just funny and endearing the way she'd say the whole mouthful every time she saw me) I just loved her and often think about her and hope she's doing well xx

[@imsickoflife1651]

So much romanticizing of the disabled in these comment sections. People with DS experience a wide variety of emotions. Like anyone else they can become very angry, manipulative & deeply depressed.

[@tuesday586]

When was the last time an individual was in the news for a school shooting Romanticizing Give me a Break...

[@georginacat7667]

I agree, it's patronising and infantasicing.

[@jasminebremer6141]

Like you said your describing every human on earth and every human deserves the opportunity to experience life to the fullest of their abilities no matter if they are born with an extra chromosome as humans with downs or an equal amount of chromosomes as humans without downs… Every human is different and every human is capable of a wide variety of emotions, or being put in a situation in which they turn to manipulation tactics to get what they feel they need from someone or some situation. I dont feel like its a romanticism to have humans who are living full happy lives with this condition to stand up and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and try to stop the murder of other humans yet to be born with their condition. If given the right amount of love, patience, acceptance, and education it seems to me that humans with downs live long fulfilled lives full of love and kindness. There is a lot to be learned by them. We should all be taking notes from this community on how to be better humans.

[@annetteslife]

So you are saying that people living with DS cannot find a partner? Every person living with DS I have met and became friends with were never once angry, manipulative or depressed! GET A LIFE AND GIVE ME A BREAK!

[@marilynvallance]

And your point is ?

[@RDnAC]

Fantastic. Everyone should watch this. Important message.

[@cindypackard9597]

I think these children are very beautiful and understanding and very very loving , smart

[@shellyjay346]

Forgot the main point! This documentary is amazing! Thank you for making others aware of DS! The participants were amazing and I thank them for doing this and helping others learn! Much love!❤️🙌❤️

[@cheryllee81]

Great documentary, Extremely informative.

[@Lilshortstuff8186]

I was told there was a small chance my son could have Down syndrome. I never once cared if he would have it or not, he was my son.

[@ttbaby1342]

God Bless you 🙏🏽 ❤

[@Kristi-pq1co]

My mother was told the same thing but I did not. I will be 36 next month she was almost 34 when she had me and Dr's said that there is always a chance with older mothers that they could have a child like that. She did not care I think it is sad how some mothers will terminate a pregnancy based on that. I must say people who have down syndrome are some of the most caring and nicest people I have ever met. They literally enjoy life and are happy to be alive.

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

@@Kristi-pq1co um I'm also disabled and my mom should have aborted me. She gave her life for me, and I have so many genetic issues that my life has always been painful and unpleasant.

[@danielvalladares3531]

@@Memento_Mori_Morals would you be open to trying natural medicine if you don't see any results with the prescription drugs....which in my experience is a scam never met anyone cured from those know many family and friends that just have side effects and don't even get any better at all

[@aprilferrier6893]

What an absolutely beautiful documentary and Beautiful People. I found myself getting tears of happiness sliding down my cheeks throughout many moments of this amazing documentary!

[@francois3160]

What a loving documentary, they are so very precious. From a brother of a boy with Down Syndrome ❤💙

[@pamelahomeyer748]

You're not choosing the best children. And I noticed all of these nice warm cozy stories come from people who are more than able to supply a good life. You do not know what other conditions the person is facing. I'm so sick of this constant judging of other people's choices. I've seen a lot of young girls with Down Syndrome get raped and used as slaves. Keep your nose out of other people's business. You just want to feel Superior find some other topic. What's more you can cover this topic without the Jabs to other people's choices and why they are making them. This is not a balanced report

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

A-freaking-MEN. I'm disabled and cause I'm in the US I'm forever stuck well below federal poverty. They give us a fraction of what they say healthy people need, despite that disableds uh we have like medical bills.

[@liberty3928]

My nephew has Downs. He is the sunshine in our family. We are blessed ❤🌺🕊 EDIT: They are absolutely Superior Beings❤

[@ttbaby1342]

God Bless you 🙏🏽 ❤

[@socalgal714]

There are degrees of Downs. Not all are high functioning. So until the testing can differentiate, most folks will choose termination.

[@freereinartstudio1463]

I don't think you can generalize such a personal, difficult decision. I think it's far from 'everyone' choosing termination.

[@kimberlyhovis5864]

My sister has Down Syndrome, and is not high functioning. She is at a 2 year old developmental level and needs help/assistance with every aspect of her life, but she is the happiest person I've ever met. She brings my family and I so much joy, and without her our lives wouldn't be the same. I wouldn't trade her for the world and feel very blessed to have her as my sister. ❤ Bottom line: Regardless of whether someone with Down Syndrome is high functioning or not, they still have purpose, value, and so much love to share. They need acceptance, not skepticism or rejection. Being low functioning doesn't make someone any less of a human being and doesn't mean that their quality of life becomes non-existent. My sister has it easy, is a regular participant in Special Olympics (skills level), has fun with multiple therapies a week, goes to church regularly, greets everyone she knows with a hug and a smile, and brings so much joy to those around her. Please don't assume that having a child with Down Syndrome, who is low functioning, will be a burden and can't be a blessing because it's not true.

[@Meme-go9ts]

People with Down Syndrome can do awful things just like any other person! Please stop calling them angels. If you don't know this, you truly don't know someone with DS.

[@kentuckynanalife6544]

I was told my daughter would have down , spina bifida, n water on the brain , they requested I abort her n had me in n out of Drs. Appointment 6 months scaring me to death sayin counting fingers n toes would be least of my worries n she would be whisked away for care if she made it 😤😢❗... I ignored Drs. this was 29 yrs ago, none of this was true for me altho I left it to God , I would ❤ my baby anyway for who she was, when she was born she was small n we almost lost her during birth but she was beautiful n it was all part of God's plan , I'm grateful for my children no matter the circumstances ❤ ✌ 🕯❗... We're all God's creation 😎 n deserve👏💥👏 a life worth living period ✔💯❗

[@ttbaby1342]

God Bless you 🙏🏽 ❤

[@michellecarl1255]

Amen. God bless you for not listening to the doctor's. Yes, God had it all planned out .☺️🙏💯🙏💪❤️🙋🏻

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

@@michellecarl1255 plz tell me you dont vote with that much religious zeal.

[@mnih6072]

Frank is a legend ♥️♥️♥️

[@tuesday586]

Very informative and educational

[@surlywithfabshoes]

But what happens when the parents get too old or sick to care for their adult child? Let’s assume that the responsibility should not or cannot be placed on other relatives. The father in the first clip says that his daughter can’t judge other people. This isn’t a good thing if she is out in public on her own. Adults rely on judgement to protect themselves from dangerous situations. She is at serious risk of being manipulated or taken advantage of. And what if the parents aren’t rich, or even able to afford basic proper care once they are gone? Access to low cost public supports don’t always cover everything and there are long wait times. And private care is very, very costly. They might be able to live completely independently but it’s very unlikely in the majority of cases. The happy moments are great, but there a lot of factors to consider when doing your family planning. Abortion shouldn’t be automatic for each person with DS, but people also have a right to consider their options and do what they think is best for their particular situation.

[@mysterygirl-xt4ic]

The state looks after them

[@mysterygirl-xt4ic]

They have family as well including partners

[@anncanter3333]

Shoko warmed my heart🥹

[@apriljk6557]

The authority to force birth, can lead to the authority to force abortions. Just remember anti-choice advocates often align themselves politically with fascist eugenicists. They're beautiful people who deserve to be and feel loved and worthy of life. I sympathize with their struggle and understand what they're up against. Some of the rhetoric in the comments are a bit disturbing.

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

I have to disagree and say that most crazy Republitards want women to gave babies that might kill them, babies that won't survive still to be born, they relish in human suffering, esp women.

[@MrsZee-lp9xq]

So abortion is ok as long as it isn't because the baby has DS?

[@yuyukawa9104]

Agreed.

[@marthaj67]

Most individuals with Down syndrome are mildly to moderately disabled and are MORE than capable of living independent, productive lives as adults. They _may_ require supervision in their homes, but should that determine their worth to society? We have two sons with Down syndrome: one biological, one adopted, and they have been such a blessing to our family. *If you're pregnant and discover your baby has Down syndrome, PLEASE DO NOT abort your baby.* _If you feel you cannot raise a child with DS, I can promise you that there are PLENTY of loving families who will. And your child's life WILL BE well lived._ Also, I want to add that the reason the speech of people with DS may sound odd is physiological. They usually have larger than average tongues and, more often then not, lower muscle tone than the rest of us. These two things together make it more difficult for them to form words.

[@chaoswitch1974]

There are? Are you sure? Then why are there an abundance of children who never get adopted? 20,000 children age out of foster care every year. Where are all these people adopting kids?

[@imsickoflife1651]

There are about 400,000 kids in US Foster Care. About 125,000 available for adoption. People just want healthy babies.

[@imsickoflife1651]

Well lived? Are u sure? I know people with DS who are extremely miserable. Most of their parents divorce or will divorce due to the tremendous stress.

[@apriljk6557]

I wish you would stop assuming people who decide they can't raise a potentially severely disabled child value already born, fully developed people with DS any less. It often has nothing to do with the value of the person. In the US, health care is not socialized and most are living paycheck to paycheck. Obviously, I can understand why you would take their decision to terminate their *potential* child personally on an emotional level, but it's an incredibly personal decision that has nothing to do with you or your children. If anything, it's a condemnation of society being unwilling to help families care for themselves and their children.

[@nic5264]

Please don't tell women what to do with their bodies. You don't know another person's situation and what they can personally handle better than they do.

[@LorTay-ho6wd]

The poll is worded in a very confrontational manner

[@wesleytwiggs7687]

That’s just your opinion man

[@lorimac0260]

What poll???

[@jung7kooki8]

i am a girl and who have down syndrome, and i did undergo operation, i get sick many times way more often, needed the speech and language a lot, later life in primary school, well can i say i had depression and in high school and i get confuse so many times, why is people so kind to me, i don't understand then was at college, i was a dark place and try, and change myself when my dog died, but found my friends, now i still got depression not showing people that i have it, so i try snacking myself away from depression to my uncontrollable of confronting junk food and mostly chocolates.

[@christophermahoney4075]

It is horrendous that you would abort a child at all, let alone because they have Down Syndrome. Jesus please guide expectant parents to love the life of their unborn children.

[@clairegibson6417]

I’m sorry but when I had my first child at 23 I would have terminated .. when I had my 2nd child at 30 I would not of … I had grown up had more life experience, a Morgage and a better circle of help .. it’s a persons choice

[@annawalker7853]

I LOVED Frank Stevens

[@Oppa.]

Frank stephens is my role model

[@benjiebenjamin7810]

Downs people are just like everyone else....with 1 exception... They're the ones born who know how to love, smile & hug.....our mentors in society. "No one is perfect & I'm a perfect example." As with every person on this planet, we each have diversities...thank goodness! A garden of just red roses has not the beauty of a garden of various colors. HUGS2U ❤️

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

U know they can be jerks too right? Just cause someone is disabled doesn't mean they're nice, but adversity often forms good people. I've met plenty of jerks who were fellow disabled peeps.

[@benjiebenjamin7810]

@@Memento_Mori_Morals I've met, known, several in my life....yes, they're people too. Tho I've seen, experienced more smiles than bad attitudes.

[@lisaandlilybass]

I think every baby deserves to live no matter what both my grandchildren were disabled when they were born now they live happy lives in school like normal children I love all children I don't care if my child was born blind I'd still love my baby I lost you babies and a miscarriage so I know how it feels

[@marionbowler5440]

Amazing 🍁 😎🇨🇦

[@ttbaby1342]

They all are Beautiful smart and wonderful people's ❤ I love them all💖💕🎉🎀💪🏾🙏🏽🌟💥💫👍🏽👏🏾🔥🧚‍♂️🧚‍♀️👨‍❤️‍👨👪🏾💕

[@busy_at_the_moment]

God truly does give special babies to special people. He really knows what he is doing.

[@brisvegasblonde6191]

I truly despise that glib, thoughtless, untrue and “stereotypical” of the religious “happy clappers” Sector, of any and all Beliefs, to “trot” out. People who obviously don’t have a Special Needs child or children of their own or within their own immediate Family. Nor have never spent time with any from the most”mildly” affected to the most”severe”, irrespective of their individual diagnosis. “God” had nothing to do with this!!! You think he/she would inflict these hideous Disorders and Syndromes on innocent children? Same applies to Cancers, Abuse of all kinds, etc?.. If that’s what you believe?(each to your own within reason). I don’t believe in this Paradigm. I am speaking from first hand, real life knowledge. As a Parent of a child who has different disability to Trisomy 13.

[@imsickoflife1651]

I know you mean well but divorce & suicide rates are very high for parents of disabled children because it can be extremely stressful. Even under the best of circumstances.

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

A baby forced to live a life of pain. Wow some God of yours. I'm disabled and my mom should have aborted me btw.

[@nic5264]

Yeah I know this means well, but a lot of parents of children with disabilities find comments like these unhelpful and insulting -- its overcompensating, and parents don't consider themselves "special" or "chosen" or particularly good for raising their kid...they see it as just doing what they need to just like any other parent with any other kid. They don't like being hero-ized just for being a parent.

[@06eyM3]

Im an elephant man. I wish my parents would have done away with me when the docs told them they had not birthed a human, but an elephant man.

[@06eyM3]

Downs is different. Seems they often live happy content lives. Not Elephants. Its awful being ELEPHANT

[@psgirlie2738]

You are worthy of a life! Know you are loved by God, the creator of all things, you included and He has a plan for your life!

[@Domina369]

God makes no mistakes. You have a purpose, just do good and seek it ❤

[@imsickoflife1651]

I also wish I were not born. Being this disabled sucks. I don’t even get breaks in my sleep because of the nightmares and night terrors.

[@imsickoflife1651]

@@06eyM3 I’m sorry elephant man.

[@lisaweakley7883]

Excellent video! We are all uniquely made! Glory to God!

[@saurannuraliyev1695]

What is the best life is? Absolute question so

[@annetteslife]

Every life is worth living

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

I'm disabled. My mom shoulda aborted me lol

[@annetteslife]

@@Memento_Mori_Morals but I am glad she didn't. Just like my mom didn't let me die, I am moderately brain damaged due to an irresponsible doctor who told my mom to push faster despite knowing the umbilical cord was tightly wrapped around my neck. The doctor was fired mid birthing and the on duty nurse took over, if it wasn't for her taking over I would have been dead

[@mikedoleuze820]

I will help

[@karenfitzpatrick6256]

It seems if medical needs are met, a healthy Down's child has so many ABILITIES they could, with family and individual special educational support could thrive with their natural gifts. For example, the child raised bilingual could make a very good living as a translator in unlimited capacities. The artistically gifted child could have an educational choice to learn any art expression that supports their talents. The focus on what is innately their gifts instead of forcing them on to those tasks that they cannot master only makes sense. To think a person who is outside the "average" to think they must accomplish the standard high school or secondary school certificate be successful is not realistic. Like every person the range of what "intelligence" capabilities one has is limited. What is known about Down's Syndrome indicates clearly what subjects are challenging, where special help is needed to reach the basic knowledge. Why push beyond that? The main focus should be on the wide variety of subjects where they can understand the concepts more easily, those they are individually drawn to. That is the best use of education. Where they thrive. Where they can support themselves financially or at least contribute to it Encouraged to live as independently as they can comfortably handle with whatever help they may need readily, I don't understand any reason someone with Down Syndrome Abilities cannot live a happy, productive and successful life. A good life.

[@Memento_Mori_Morals]

Yeah but many families cant afford it in the US. In Canada and Britain at least healthcare is affordable, and they give disabled people close to minimum wage. In the US you dont even see 900/mo if you're disabled. That is not a lot to cover medical bills let alone other stuff.

[@karenfitzpatrick6256]

@@Memento_Mori_Morals I was speaking my personal views which do not agree with the American Government. I'm ashamed of the US for it's lack of universal healthcare, among many other issues. Too much personal pride and greed has corrupted our concern for each other. And then, just add guns... I am a disabled RN and $900.00/mo is just about what I try to support myself on.

[@reuploadify]

Frank Stephens is so cringe.

[@dong6839]

5:06 I was going to make a joke and say, well, we found Joe Biden's speech writer. But on second thought, nevermind! He was WAY too coherent, it lacked lies, unfounded, angry, rhetoric and it was nowhere near evil and divisive enough to compare to a Joe Biden speech! I stand corrected.

[@nic5264]

Insulting a random person with down syndrome to make your little joke about politics...super classy.