Shifting Great Expectations: Parenting a child with Down Syndrome | Lito Ramirez | TEDxColumbus

In this talk, he explores the changing nature of expectations we have for our children, especially when they are born profoundly different than you expect.

Lito Ramirez is CEO of DownSyndrome Achieves, a charitable research organization that champions the development of critical research capabilities needed to better understand Down syndrome and to accelerate breakthrough discoveries. In 2015, DownSyndrome Achieves launched an innovative partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital to develop the first centralized and dedicated biobank for DS research.

[AliRaza-snfy]

great. I am father of 3 years down syndrome child. a great joy and happiness
he is hero of my life

[Sur_lb]

I am a mother of a child with Down Syndrome, and I had no idea about the relation of Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's. Wow. Will be doing some research on this.

[TikiStanford]

I had no idea the termination rate was so high in the US. My daughter doesn’t have downs, she has a spontaneous mutation that causes intellectual disability, and seizures in 2/3 to 3/4 of the kids. I’m fairly sure that had I known while pregnant I would never have terminated, but who knows for sure?
She is everything to us. Our family is so much richer and happy with her in our lives. She is a walking ball of happiness, and the most empathetic person I’ve ever met. I am thankful for her as well as my older son every day. Life without them seems unlivable.

[apachewolfscout]

Beautiful! Thanks ! I whole heartedly agree!

[Sur_lb]

Thank you for your contribution to this important research ❤️

[wilfredamalemba]

Someone who shies away from having a child with disability by choice needs to realise that, first, any child - disability or not - is a challenge to bring up. What with the unique personality each person has. Second, everyone of us has limitations and deficiencies of one type or another. We're not good at everything, and we depend on one another to live our lives. Third, getting a disability is a lifelong risk for everyone of us. Lying in bed can predispose you to getting a disability as much as being in a vehicle accident. Eventually, at one time or another, everyone will get a disability - it's the reality of aging. As such, let's develop the emotional fortitude to face the challenge that may arise in others, -the children born through us, or on ourselves - through accidents, degeneration or occupational hazards. Question to answer: when you do get a disability, would you want your dear ones to dispose of you to institutional care or would you prefer the care of family and friends?

[boldwarrior]

I'm so proud of my son for each thing hes done hes my sunshine who needs to win the lottery. I have

[melissaoiler]

Melissa Oiler and Mike Oiler
Danielle Pullin and Luis Steven
Misty Brown and Scott brown
Megan Ellis and Mike Ellis
Michelle Story and Kevin Story

[sorchaoreilly]

100% Alzheimer's that's false! it's 50!
I believe it'll drop with proper education and occupational stimulation

[quel]

People should know:

“Among those surveyed, nearly 99% of people with Down syndrome indicated that they were happy with their lives; 97% liked who they are; and 96% liked how they look. Nearly 99% people with Down syndrome expressed love for their families, and 97% liked their brothers and sisters. While 86% of people with Down syndrome felt they could make friends easily, those with difficulties mostly had isolating living situations. A small percentage expressed sadness about their life. In our qualitative analysis, people with Down syndrome encouraged parents to love their babies with Down syndrome, mentioning that their own lives were good. They further encouraged healthcare professionals to value them, emphasizing that they share similar hopes and dreams as people without Down syndrome. Overall, the overwhelming majority of people with Down syndrome surveyed indicate they live happy and fulfilling lives.”

[Meme-gots]

People with Down Syndrome can do awful things, be bullies, just like anyone else. Even as children (I speak from experience). Let's finally stop calling them "angels"... if you can't see that, then do you really know someone with DS?

[Reeseychoo]

This for my character. But I'm trying to make it too real, I'm trying to make it more recognizable saying "Doofhead".

[itravelforfood]

I don’t know about you guys but if my child was diagnosed with any disability that requires me to be there 24/7 for the rest of my life I would choose abortion or adoption if the first choice is not possible. I’m not nearly patient enough to care for a kid with special needs not wealthy enough to pay for the medical bills and not strong enough to deal with the reality of it all. Normalise choice. It’s not just the baby’s life that matters it’s also the quality of life the parents will have after the birth. It’s all emotional but romanticising situations to make myself feel better was never my thing.