There is an erroneous opinion that people with Down syndrome are absolutely not adapted to life, can neither study, nor work, nor achieve any success. However, this is not at all the case. Our heroes are filmed, taught, walk on the catwalk and win gold medals!
Among the "children of the sun" there are talented actors, artists, athletes and teachers. Read our selection and see for yourself!
Judith Scott
The sad and surprising history of Judith began May 1, 1943, when a normal family from the city of Columbus were born twin girls. One of the girls, named Joyce, was born absolutely healthy, but her sister Judith was diagnosed with Down syndrome.
In addition to this, still quite a baby Judith fell ill with scarlet fever and lost her hearing. The girl did not talk and did not react to the replies addressed to her, so doctors mistakenly believed that she had a deep mental retardation. The only person that Judith could understand and could explain to her was her sister Joyce. The twins were inseparable. The first 7 years of Judith's life were absolutely happy ...
And then ... her parents under the pressure of doctors took a disastrous decision. They gave Judith to a shelter for the feeble-minded and refused her.
Joyce broke up with her beloved sister for a long 35 years. All these years she was tormented by anguish and guilt. What Judith was worried about at the time, one can only guess. At that time, no one was interested in the experiences of the "mentally retarded" ...
In 1985, Joyce, unable to withstand many years of moral torment, sought out her twins and formalized her custody. It immediately became clear that Judith had not been engaged in development and upbringing: she could not read and write, she was not even taught the language of deaf-mutes. The sisters moved to the Californian city of Auckland. Here, Judith began to visit the arts center for people with mental disabilities. A turning point in her fate occurred when she got to the class on the fire-art (weaving technique from threads). After this, Judith began to create sculptures from the threads. The basis for her products were any items that appeared in her field of vision: buttons, chairs, dishes. She carefully wrapped the found objects with colored threads and created unusual, not at all similar sculptures. She did not stop this work until her death in 2005.
Gradually, her creations, bright, powerful, original, gained fame. Some of them fascinated, others, on the contrary, repelled, but all agreed that they were filled with some kind of extraordinary energy. Now the work of Judith can be seen in museums of outsider art. The prices for them reach 20 thousand dollars.
Her sister said of her:
"Judith was able to show the whole world how the one whom society threw into the trash can return and prove that he is capable of outstanding accomplishments"
Pablo Pineda (born in 1974)
Pablo Pineda is a Spanish actor and teacher who has gained worldwide fame. Pablo was born in the Spanish city of Malaga. At an early age, he had a mosaic form of Down's syndrome (that is, not all cells contain an extra chromosome).
Parents did not give the child to a specialized boarding school. He successfully graduated from the regular school, and then entered the university and received a diploma in pedagogical psychology.
In 2008, Pablo starred in the title role in the film "Me too" - a moving love story of a teacher with Down syndrome and a healthy woman (the film is translated into Russian). For the role of the teacher Pablo was awarded the "Silver Sink" at the Film Festival in Saint-Sebastian.
At the moment, Pineda lives and is engaged in teaching activities in his hometown of Malaga. Here Pablo is treated with great respect. In honor of him even called the square.
Pascal Duquesne (born in 1970)
Pascal Duquesne is a theater and film actor with Down syndrome. From an early age he became involved in acting, took part in many theatrical amateur productions, and after meeting with the director Jacques Van Dormal got his first roles in the cinema. The most famous embodied by him character - Georges from the film "Day of the eighth".
At the Cannes Film Festival, for this role, Duquesne was recognized as the best film actor. Later, he starred in "Mr. Nobody" in the episodic role of the double of the protagonist, played by Jared Leto.
Now Duquesne is a media person, he gives numerous interviews, is shot in telecasts. In 2004, the King of Belgium dedicated him to the commanders of the Order of the Crown, which is tantamount to knighting.
Raymond Hu
Pictures of the American artist Raymond Hu cause delight in connoisseurs. Raymond paints animals in traditional Chinese technique.
His passion for painting began back in 1990, when his parents invited the artist home to take a few private lessons from him. Then the 14-year-old Raymond drew his first picture: the flowers in a measuring glass. Painting carried him away, from flowers he passed to animals.
Maria Langovaya (born in 1997)
Masha Langovaya is a Russian sportswoman from Barnaul, the world swimming champion. She twice took part in the Special Olympics and both times won "gold". When Masha was melenkoy, her mother did not even think of making a champion out of her. Simply the girl often hurted, and parents have decided it "подзакалить" and have given in pool. The water was for Masha native element: she loved to swim and compete with other children. Then her mother decided to give her daughter a professional sport.
Jamie Brewer (born February 5, 1985)
Jamie Brewer is an American actress who gained fame after filming in several seasons of the American horror story. Already in her childhood, Jamie dreamed of acting career. She attended a theater group and took part in a variety of productions.
In 2011, she received her first film role. The authors of the series "American horror story" needed a young actress with Down syndrome. Jamie was invited to audition and, to her surprise, was approved for the role. Jamie tried herself and as a model. She is the first woman with Down syndrome, who defiled at the High Fashion Week in New York. She represented a dress from designer Carrie Hammer.
Jamie is an active fighter for the rights of disabled people. Thanks to her efforts, in the state of Texas, the offensive phrase "mental retardation" was replaced by "the intellectual defect of development."
Karen Gafni (born in 1977)
Karen Gafni is another amazing example of how people with disabilities can achieve the same results as healthy people and even surpass them. Karen achieved striking success in swimming.
Is every healthy person able to cross the English Channel? And to swim 14 kilometers in water with a temperature of 15 degrees? And Karen was able! Indefatigable swimmer, she bravely overcame difficulties, taking part in competitions with healthy athletes. At special Olympics she won two gold medals. In addition, Karen founded a fund to help people with disabilities and received a doctorate!
Madeline Stewart
Madeline Stewart is perhaps the most famous model with Down syndrome. She advertises clothes and cosmetics, defile on the podium and takes part in photo sessions. Her dedication can only be envied. For the sake of reaching the podium, the girl dropped 20 kilograms. And in her success there is great merit of her mother Rosanna.
"Every day I tell her how wonderful she is, and she believes in it without reservation. Maddy truly loves herself. She can tell you how wonderful she is "
Jack Barlow (7 years old)
The 7-year-old boy became the first man with Down syndrome who came on stage with a ballet troupe. Jack made his debut in the ballet The Nutcracker. The boy has been seriously engaged in choreography for 4 years already, and he, at last, was entrusted to perform together with professional dancers. Thanks to Jack, the performance, performed by the ballet company of the city of Cincinnati, was sold out. In any case, the video posted on the Internet has gained more than 50,000 views. Specialists already prophesy Jack a brilliant ballet future.
Paula Sage (born in 1980)
Versatility of Paula Sage could be envied and absolutely healthy person. Firstly, she is a wonderful actress, who won several prestigious awards for her role in the British film After Life. Secondly, Paula - a brilliant athlete, professionally engaged in netball. And thirdly - a public figure and human rights activist.
Noelia Garella
A wonderful teacher with Down syndrome works in one of the kindergartens of Argentina. 30-year-old Noelia does her job well, her kids adore her. At first, some parents objected to the education of their children involved in a person with a similar diagnosis. However, soon they became convinced that Noelia was a sensitive teacher, very fond of children and able to find an approach to them. By the way, kids perceive Noelia is absolutely normal and do not see anything unusual in it.