This World Down Syndrome Day, Let's #EndTheStereotypes

 

A picture from Madison Tevlin's video advertisement for World Down Syndrome Day. Tevlin is standing in the center of the photo with several others next to her. In front of everyone standing is a gold phrase displaying "Assume That I Can So Maybe I Will."

This World Down Syndrome Day, Let’s #EndTheStereotypes

Last week, I checked my Instagram feed after I got off of work. The first thing I saw was a video update from Madison Tevlin, an actress I follow who stars in the movie Champions and is also part of Best Buddies.

The video was for World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), which is celebrated each year on March 21st to raise awareness and support for people with Down Syndrome. In the video, Tevlin shows how others treat her like a child—a behavior known as infantilization. Moreover, she demonstrates how we should break barriers and stereotypes. Indeed, the theme for this year’s WDSD is “End the Stereotypes,” a testament to the power of moving past harmful and stigmatizing stereotypes for individuals with Down Syndrome.

I find the video’s message to be true and relatable as a disabled person. I reposted it and moved on for the day. But what captivated me was throughout the evening, night, and the week everyone I follow who is disabled reposted that same video. It’s everywhere on my Instagram feed. Best Buddies participants, Special Olympics athletes, people I grew up with in special education, and disabled influencers all shared the campaign as an act of solidarity. This video continues to be everywhere on my socials.

Tevlin’s campaign has me thinking: the video was for World Down Syndrome Day, but I argue that it relates to virtually everyone with a disability. We often are treated like children as adults, and for a lot of disabled peers in my life and myself, it’s degrading and frustrating.

So, what can you do to #EndTheStereotypes? The easy part is treating us like any other adult. If we are at work, be professional. If we are at school, just think of us as another student. Another thing that is important is to listen to us and learn. One example is if you talk to me like you would a little kid and we ask to stop, quickly apologize and respect our request. It’s that simple!

Disabled people are regular human beings with wants, hopes, feelings, and dreams. If you think of us as such, then our lives will become easier to navigate and we can all work together to effectively #EndTheStereotypes.

In friendship,

Michelle Yoshimine

YLC Member, California