There are studies that identify the syndrome
She says many in society still believe that Down syndrome is a disease. However, it is actually a genetic disorder that is determined by the arrangement of chromosomes.
“Although our medicine and science are very advanced, we don’t have a single answer as to why this happens. There are certain factors that can increase the risk of having a baby with Down’s syndrome”, said M. Bielskytė-Lenktaitė in the program “Delfi diena”.
One of them is the woman’s age. It is recommended for expectant mothers from the age of 35 to undergo genetic testing. However, according to the interviewer, it is not possible to list specific factors that, if met, would make it clear that the baby will have Down’s syndrome. M. Bielskytė–Lenktaitė assured that mothers raising children with Down syndrome often joke that having such a baby is like a lottery.
“They say, someone wins a million, and someone gets an extra chromosome of happiness,” the interviewer quoted.
According to her, there are genetic tests that are 100% accurate and can determine with great accuracy whether a baby will have Down syndrome. However, it is not only paid, but also increases the risk of miscarriage, so many families hesitate to do it.
“In our community, we also have such families who knew that they would have a child with Down syndrome, and today they live a happy life,” emphasized M. Bielskytė–Lenktaitė.
She did not hide that the mentioned research is also not for everyone’s pocket.
People with Down syndrome are different
When asked about the intellectual and physical characteristics of people with Down syndrome, the woman said that despite the fact that they have the same genetic disorder and physical similarity, their desires and abilities are absolutely different.
“We really cannot make absolutes. A person with Down syndrome cannot and probably will never be able to speak or be independent. However, we have cases in which we can be happy that a person with Down’s syndrome works, pays taxes like any of us, goes to vote, has a strong opinion on political issues”, assured M. Bielskytė-Lenktaitė.
According to her, such examples are small steps that help break stereotypes about Down syndrome. According to the interviewer, the extent to which a person with Down syndrome can or cannot, regardless of genetics, is also determined by other factors. Considerable merit in this case goes to the parents themselves.
“After the birth of a child with Down’s syndrome or learning that it is suspected, not every family goes through a stage of reconciliation, which lasts a different time in each case. However, the sooner families start “working” with children, attend classes with them, educate them, in this case the child’s opportunities are increased,” said the woman.
According to her, the Association of People with Down syndrome and their guardians, together with active mothers in the community, is always ready to help parents who have babies with Down syndrome. In order to mitigate various emotional and psychological experiences as much as possible, they are given a support bracelet “Hello, Sunshine!”.
“Sooner or later, such families reach us (ed. association), we have prepared support bracelets, which were created by all mothers. There is a letter to my mother with words of support. I believe that the greeting “Hello, Sunshine!” helps a lot and softens that stage of reconciliation, but it also depends a lot on how the message is presented to the family, how the doctors introduce it. And it happens in any way”, said M. Bielskytė-Lenktaitė.
According to her, it was the painful stories of the families that inspired the creation of the support ring, because the community members’ aspiration is primarily to provide help and friendship.
Stereotypes must be abandoned
According to the interlocutor, society’s attitude towards such people is also very important and plays one of the main roles in their future life. Rejecting them or not allowing them to try something leaves a person without opportunity. Like society itself, there is no way to find out.
M. Bielskytė–Lenktaitė says that there are not many such cases when people with Down syndrome work or realize themselves in a normal environment. Most often, their workplaces become places that are specially created for this purpose. One of the examples is the cafe “Pirmas blynas”, well known to Vilnius residents, which is also unique in that it is the first restaurant in Lithuania to employ people with disabilities.
However, the interviewer assured that there are people with Down’s syndrome who live a fairly independent life.
According to the woman, the first thing that would help such people to create a more fulfilling life is to be guided by stereotypes as little as possible, and to approach the relationship with an open heart. And there are still countless stereotypes – that the syndrome is passed from generation to generation, that it is a disease and people live short lives, that they are all the same and always happy. According to M. Bielskytė-Lenktaitė, sometimes when people encounter people with Down’s syndrome, they are surprised that they are completely different from what they initially imagined.
“The first thing society can do is to put aside stereotypes and allow us to simply get to know each other, see the possibilities, not “write off” ahead of time, but support and see what we can do together,” the interviewer of the show shared her advice.
