Down syndrome is a disease that occurs due to a chromosomal abnormality. This has nothing to do with their lifestyle or place of residence, but there is a relationship between the age of the parents and the appearance of a sick child: the older the expectant mother, the greater the likelihood that she will have a baby with deviations.
Doctors can diagnose already in the hospital, because such children have characteristic features. Babies are often born with weak immunity, most of them have mild or moderate mental retardation, there are many concomitant diseases.
But, despite the fact that modern doctors do not yet know how to treat chromosomal abnormalities, children with Down syndrome can lead a normal life. In many respects it depends on parents and teachers. They must instill in them the skills necessary in everyday life. There are patients who have achieved tremendous success in sports, in art, were able to graduate.
10. Tim Harris
When Tim was born, for his parents the diagnosis of the boy was a real blow. But they made every effort to ensure that he lived an ordinary life. He grew up among 3 brothers, but his parents never separated him, he, like others, performed his duties around the house.
In 2004, at graduation, he was elected King. He was able to graduate at Eastern New Mexico University. The boy studied and worked at the same time in various catering establishments, and after graduating from college in 2008, he got a job as a waiter. He loves sports, received awards in paralympic competitions.
Tim dreamed of his own restaurant. Parents helped realize his dream. In 2010, he became the general manager of Tim’s Place, popularly nicknamed “the friendliest restaurant in the world.” In addition to the ordered food, all visitors here received a portion of hugs from the owner, as well as a smile and good mood. It became a landmark of Albuquerque (New Mexico).
9. Madeleine Stewart
She became the first professional model in the world to suffer from Down syndrome. In childhood, like other patients with this diagnosis, the girl was overweight.
But Madeleine really wanted to become a model, so she was able to lose 20 kilograms. She refused high-calorie foods, swam in the pool, was engaged in dancing and physical education.
At 18, she and her mother went to a fashion show in Brisbane, after which she made a firm decision to become a model. The media wrote about her dream. In 2015, Madeleine's mother started the company, doing everything possible to provide her with a model contract.
After some time, she began to receive offers. She appeared several times on the catwalk of Fashion Week in New York, participated in a photo shoot. Now lives with her mother in Brisbane.
8. Pablo Pineda
Pablo is 44 years old, but by this time he was able to achieve a lot. The boy found out that he was special at the age of 7. He studied at a regular school, but was always an outcast. Due to illness, other children eschewed him, but he did not despair.
After graduating from school, he was able to go to university, and graduated from it with a bachelor's degree. Received a specialty "psycho-pedagogy". Pablo decided to become a teacher, he was the first teacher in Europe with a similar diagnosis.
In 2009, the film "Me, too," was released, in which Pinedo played the main role, for which he received the "Silver Shell", as well as the "City Shield" from the mayor.
Now he lives in his hometown of Malaga (Spain), is engaged in charity work, and helps people with Down syndrome find a job. He gives lectures, teaches.
7. Jamie Brewer
She was born in California. Not surprisingly, she was attracted to cinema and theater. While still at school, she participated in productions, and in 1999 she graduated from acting courses.
The first time she appeared on the screen in 2011, in the American Horror Story. After that, she was repeatedly offered small roles in the cinema. In 2018, she made her Broadway debut, and received 2 prestigious awards for this role.
Jamie is not only an actress, but also a model that could be seen in 2015 at New York Fashion Week. She devotes much time to the struggle for the rights of persons with disabilities.
6. Maria Langovaya
The girl was born in 1997 in Barnaul. Like other children with a similar diagnosis, she was constantly sick due to weak immunity. Parents decided to strengthen her health and gave Maria a swim.
The girl immediately conquered everyone with her perseverance, desire to win and cheerfulness. Her coach Sergei Tolkachev decided to send her to the qualifying round of the Olympics. Everyone was surprised that a little girl with Down syndrome was able to win silver and bronze. This was her first victory out of many.
Now other children with similar diagnoses are making great strides, but she was the first in the history of swimming in Russia.
5. Maria Nefedova
She is already 50 years old. Her whole life is proof that special children can achieve much success in life. Once the obstetrician advised Mary's mother to abandon the child, but she did everything possible so that the girl could adapt to life in society.
Mary went even further. She became an assistant teacher at the Downside Up Foundation, learned to play the flute and percussion, dance, and performed in the Theater of the Innocent.
She was officially employed in Russia. Maria not only leads a full life, but also helps other children to believe in themselves.
4. Karen Gaffney
The whole world knows her. It was this American who became the first person with Down syndrome to cross the English Channel.
Karen was born in 1977, she had a severe dislocation of the hips. The girl’s parents devoted all their free time to their daughter. The girl's father, Jim, was sure that water would help her recover. He began to teach her to swim even before she began to walk.
Studying was not easy for Karen, but her parents prepared her well: already before school she knew how to count and write, read, and then she constantly studied with a tutor. She was able to finish school, go to college, and then became an honorary doctor at the University of Portland.
3. Miguel Thomasin
Now he is called the guru of experimental music. Miguel became the leader of the fashionable Argentinean group Reynols. He is a famous drummer. His group has already released 2 albums.
2. Paula Soot
She was born in Scotland. Despite her illness, she was able to become an actress, starring in the movie "After Life" (2003), where she played the sister of the protagonist - Roberta, a woman with Down syndrome. For her, she received a couple of awards.
In addition, Paula works as a lawyer, defends the rights of people with the same diagnosis. She plays netball and competes.
1. Stephanie Gins
She also became popular as an actress, playing in 1996 in the movie "Duo". It became a world sensation, because the girl is the first actress with Down syndrome. The picture received many awards. But Stephanie didn't stop there.
She was able to get a degree at Walter Johnson University, becoming a doctor of medical sciences.