Did you ever watch the show Life Goes On? Remember Corky Thatcher? 1989-1993, we watched a boy with Down Syndrome attend normal classes, deal with normal life, and how family worked in a normal (ish) home. Corky was a person, damn it. He mattered. Not because he had Down Syndrome, and not because he had a "stupid" job that was "easy" for him. Corky mattered because he was Becca's Brother, he was Drew's Son, his mom Libby was a normal Mom with issues just like our own, and he was loved. He had a favorite food, and pet peeves, and incredible amounts of love to give.
So yes, I get really pissed off when Jennifer Lawrence says acting is "stupid," and shouldn't be compared with more challenging careers.
Really, Ms. Lawrence? Made it through life with Down Syndrome and change the way a nation perceived millions of people dealing with the same issue you have?
Awareness isn't just about knowing what Down Syndrome is, or how Autism presents, or any of the other million and a half incredibly technical things I could spout off right here regarding diagnoses and the implications that a specific diagnostic criteria satisfaction may have with regard to behavior.
We are talking about human beings.
So the next time you ridicule your job, or people who do the same things you do, consider what you're saying. Imagine through another's eyes how challenging your position might be.
Graciousness. Compassion. Please?
March. Mental Illness and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
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