What Down Syndrome Really Looks Like
With 90% of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome being aborted in the U.S., there are sadly misconceptions about what a diagnosis of Down syndrome really means. Decades ago children with Down syndrome were actually institutionalized as it was believed that they couldn’t learn. What a sad state of affairs that time period was.
Fortunately, we now know that early childhood education can do wonders for children with Down syndrome, and they can grow up to be capable adults, going to college, and excelling in their lives. These children have been proven to be happy and very loveable, and their parents are the first to say they bring great joy to their families. Unfortunately, many expectant parents are never told this and are even urged to seek an abortion. This is why it is so important to change these old beliefs and give these kids a chance.
A Couple With Down Syndrome Have Been Married for 22 Years
Meet Maryanne and Tommy Pilling. They were one of the first couples with Down syndrome to marry. Back in 1995, Tommy asked Maryanne’s mother for permission to propose, and they have been happily married ever since. Maryanne is now 45 and Tommy is 59. They have their own apartment, are in great health, and love to play golf, go to the movies, and bowl like any other couple. Tommy was an orphan, but Maryanne’s family was very supportive of the couple and was impressed with their love for each other.
Two years ago Maryanne’s younger sister started a Facebook page about their romance, and thousands of people followed them. After PopSugar posted a video about the couple, it went viral and received over 1.4 million views. Their beautiful story has been an inspiration to many.
Welcome to Beau’s Coffee Shop
Meet Beau and Bitty Wright and welcome to Beau’s Coffee Shop in Wilmington, North Carolina. Beau and Bitty have Down syndrome, and the idea for the coffee shop was the brainchild of their mom, Amy. Both of their parents have been advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for many years, and the coffee shop just seemed to be a perfect venue. They wanted to create jobs for not only Beau and Bitty but also for many others like them. The shop currently has 18 staffers with disabilities, and hundreds of customers have been coming each week since it opened.
One employee who has autism says he loves working at Beau’s. He says he loves the camaraderie with his coworkers and customers and the fact that the coffee shop is packed with customers daily.
Amy Wright hopes that Beau’s Coffee Shop can be a model for creating additional shops in other communities.