what will you do?

My oldest sister was born with severe Downs Syndrome. This was in 1946 when the recommended solution was to take such infants and institutionalize them immediately. My mother refused to do this, instead she kept my sister with her. The challenges at that time were many as you might imagine. First children with born with Downs Syndrome were prone to infections and other physical ailments. Obviously one of the problems with Downs Syndrome is delayed development of communication skills, in my sisters case she never matured beyond that of a 7 year old emotionally or intellectually. She was never able to live independently. She had several health problems when she was younger as well, although I believe that because she was loved and cared for at home many of these were overcome. My sister worked for 24 years in a school caffateria. She earned a small living, a retirement stipend, and obviously Social Security. She has lived well beyond what was predicted; at the time of her birth people born with Downs Syndrome rarely lived into their 20's. She currently lives in an assisted living facility as she has other health problems and my mother can no longer provide on-going oversight and care for her. What if? It is easy, I would care for them and provide the very best circumstance for them to live and grow in. I would ensure that they were able to reach their full potential despite their disabilities.

I would hope to enable them to be independent people living on their own as most people with disabilities and mental illnesses are capable of. I'd be the best person for teaching these skills, as I had to learn them all myself in order to survive.

I have a son that is mentally challenged. He will stay with me. It is very difficult at times caring for him, but I would never give up the opportunity to care for him.