Running head: A LIFE WITH DOWN SYNDROME 1

A Life With Down Syndrome

Arizona State University

Caitlin Doherty
A LIFE WITH DOWN SYNDROME 2

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to inform the audience of opposing sides of the issue, on if

individuals with Down syndrome can or cannot live a quality life. These individuals are able to

do so, however their life may appear different than the majority of the population. This is

because of the disability. Individuals with Down syndrome face different issues than those

without. This includes heath issues, different interactions with others, both romantic and

nonromantic, and have different options for careers and school, all of which impact their lives,

but do not necessarily negatively affect the quality of their lives.

Keywords: Down syndrome, Quality life

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A Life With Down Syndrome

How do individuals decide what a quality life is or is not? Does a quality life mean

success in the individual’s career, relationships, or if a person is overall happy and content with

their life? Another question that comes up with this topic is, are individuals with disabilities like

Down syndrome able to live a quality life? In recent discussions of Down syndrome, this has

become a controversial issue; whether these individuals can live a quality, happy life. On the

one hand, some argue that they cannot. On the other hand, however, others argue that they are

fully capable of it. My own view is that these individuals can live a quality life, however, their

lives will look quite different from you and I’s, which needs to be acknowledged and understood

by society in an effort to help these individuals fulfill a quality life by supporting the Down

syndrome community.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the development of chromosomes,

causing there to be an extra 23rd chromosome, (NDSS, 2018). The disability affects 1 out of

every 700 people in the United States (Edgin, J., Fernandez, F., 2014). This disability affects the

appearance of these individuals, as well as it causes developmental and physical delays. These

developmental delays hinder individuals with Down syndrome in their ability to communicate

with others and to learn. Down syndrome also causes individuals to be at a greater risk for more

health problems than individuals without the disability. These health risks are items like heart

defects, which usually require open heart surgery to correct as an infant (NDSS, 2018), a greater

risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life (Frank Stephans, 2017), and having a lower

overall life expectancy than the rest of the population (Szabo, L., 2013). All of these symptoms

associated with Down syndrome can affect the quality of life of a person.
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If an individual defines a quality life by a person’s success in the individual’s career, it

can be argued that individuals with Down syndrome do have a lower quality of life than the

majority of the population. This is because individuals with Down syndrome usually work

minimum wage jobs if they are able to hold a job since not all have the skill set necessary to hold

a job or can’t find a job. In a study from the charity Mencap, it was found 65% of people with

learning disabilities, which was not limited to only Down syndrome, wanted to work but fewer

than 20% of these people were currently employed (Eley, 2015). This allows the argument that

these individuals are not successful in their careers, as a lot of them cannot find work to begin

with. There are, however, multiple businesses that have been started up by individuals with

Down syndrome, which counteracts the argument that these people cannot be successful in their

career. Some of these businesses are: Sweet Heat Jam Company, which now produces over 5,000

jars of jam a year, Collettey’s, a cookie shop, and Da Bomb, which sells bath fragrances (Getting

Hired, 2019). There are also additional businesses that have been started up by individuals with

Down syndrome. The fact that these individuals have successfully started up their own

businesses goes to show that, if these individuals have a strong worth ethic, they are able to be

successful in their own career and support themselves, which is something that the majority of

people in society do not believe they are capable of.

Society today has created an order of events each person is supposed to follow in life;

graduate from college, get married, have children and then retire. This is not, however, usually

the case for individuals with Down syndrome. The majority do not have romantic relationships

with other people. In an interview with the parents of children with the disability, the parents

were asked if their child has had a boyfriend or girlfriend. Most of the parents did state that their

child at some point, past or present, has had a relationship. The parents, who stated that,
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however, said any relationships developed more so resembled a friendship, not a romantic

relationship, despite the child calling them their boyfriend/girlfriend (Foley, S., 2013). It is not

impossible for individuals to have romantic relationships though. In a video, a couple was

shown, both with Down syndrome, married, living in their own house together and each having

their own job (Down Syndrome Life, 2014). This couple proves that it is possible for individuals

with Down syndrome to be successful in romantic relationships and to be independent. While the

individuals shown in the video may have higher capabilities than the average individual with

Down syndrome, it gives others hope. It demonstrates the possibility for these individuals to

have success in romantic relationships, which is something that a majority of society deems

necessary to have a quality life.

Another aspect to consider in this discussion is nonromantic social interactions with

others, both as friends and the bullying faced by individuals with a disability. People with a

disability are 50% more at risk to be bullied than individuals without a disability (Haddad, F.,

Bourke, J., Wong, K., & Leonard, H., 2018). Bullying is known to lower a person’s self-esteem,

confidence, and can lead to depression, if it is a recurring issue (Haddad, F., Bourke, J., Wong,

K., & Leonard, H., 2018). The side effects of bullying faced by these individuals can negatively

affect their lives, which strengthens the argument that individuals with Down syndrome cannot

live a quality life. Especially the side effect depression, since depression inhibits a person’s

ability to be happy and can lead to suicidal thoughts. This can then make a person’s quality of

life decline, as it restricts them from enjoying their own life. One fact that argues against the idea

that the bullying individuals with Down syndrome face inhibits their ability to be happy and

content with their lives is a study that was conducted. The study stated, 284 individuals with

Down syndrome were surveyed and 99% out of the 284 people reported they were happy with
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the life they were living. (Edgin, J., Fernandez, F., 2014). This shows that either these

individuals do not face the bullying they are thought to or that it does not affect their mental

well-being. Another counterargument to the idea that they cannot be happy because of bullying

is that the majority of bullying happens on school grounds, and there are items put into place to

help prevent the bullying that does occur. One item is special education classrooms, which are

available for children with Down syndrome. (Center for Parent Information and Resources,

2017). These classrooms create an environment for these individuals that help to protect them by

being surrounded by others like themselves or with other disabilities. These classrooms,

therefore, also create a barrier between the children with disabilities and those without, which

would enable these students to feel like they are freer to be themselves since they are surrounded

by others who are similar to them.

If you go to a sporting event, a movie, or a concert, there is a slim chance to none that the

stars you paid to see will have a disability like Down syndrome. This is because these individuals

are usually not successful in areas like this. There are, however, numerous activities and groups

for individuals with disabilities to interact in and create friends with others, who are similar to

them, which can be very beneficial to these individuals (Pacific Little League, 2019). These are

organizations such as challenger sports teams, special education classrooms in schools, and

Special Olympics. Through organizations like these, individuals with Down syndrome are able to

create meaningful friendships through common interests like the general population does. These

organizations allow individuals with Down syndrome to participate in similar activities to the

rest of society. Almost all children are put into a sport when they are young. Challenger sports

teams allow children with Down syndrome to do the same by giving these children the same

opportunities, even if the rules to the games are altered to accommodate them. It can also be
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argued that organizations like challenger sports teams and special Olympics were created

because people who have disabilities like Down syndrome do not have the capability to compete

in the regular Olympics and were created to make these individuals not feel inferior to others.

While this may be true, individuals who win a gold medal in the Special Olympics or a gold

medal in the regular Olympics will feel the same amount of joy and happiness because all their

hard work and practicing has paid off. This supports the idea that people with Down syndrome

can live a quality, happy life. It may just appear different than the life of an average person in

society.

Laying in a hospital bed or going to doctor appointments is not enjoyable for anyone.

Unfortunately, because of the increased risk of health issues in individuals with Down syndrome,

this is something these individuals most likely have to face more than the average population.

This makes it easily arguable that these individuals, therefore, have a lower quality of life, as this

is not an enjoyable thing. They require more doctor appointments because individuals with

Down syndrome may require both physical and occupational therapy as a child, as well as many

need open heart surgery as an infant since these individuals are at risk for heart defects (NDSS,

2018). While this may seem like a lot and something that could negatively impact a person’s life,

the therapies are in place to improve the lives of these individuals by helping them learn

everyday skills and improve their communication (The Truth About Down Syndrome, 2014).

This is, therefore, helping these individuals be better prepared to be independent as an adult,

which would increase their quality of life. In the past decade, there have also been a lot of

advances in the medical field, (Edgin, J., Fernandez, F., 2014) which is believed to be the reason

why the life expectancy is improving in the Down syndrome community, and as of right now, the

life expectancy is 60 years (Eley, 2015). Advances in the medical field will also continue to
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make dealing with the medical side effects of Down syndrome easier and improve these

individual’s quality of life in the coming years. Therefore, it can be argued, while these medical

issues can take a toll on a person’s happiness, this toll is decreasing as advances continue to

happen.

An individual with Down syndrome may never be a CEO of a large company and have

less of a chance of starting a family of their own, but this does not mean they do not have a

quality life. I, personally, would define a quality life as a person who is happy and content with

the life they are currently living, which is a fully achievable task for an individual with Down

syndrome. As stated before, in a study of 284 individuals, 99% of them reported they were happy

with the life they were living (Edgin, J., Fernandez, F., 2014). This study, by my personal

definition of a quality life, supports the idea that individuals with Down syndrome can live a

quality life, even though the lives of individuals with Down syndrome may appear quite different

than the average person in society. This is why society, as a whole, needs to become educated on

the topic to not dismiss the idea that individuals with Down syndrome can live a quality life and

help make this possible by supporting the Down syndrome community.

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References

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