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Topic: occupations?

03-21-2006 12:35 AM



venessa
New Member

Location:
Registered: Sep 2005
Posts: 17
Last visit: 03-22-2006

I'm curious, do any of you guys know any adults with down syndrome? If so, what do they do for a living? I once saw a t.v. special on a couple who adopted nothing but children with disabilities. They couldn't have children so they ended up adopting a whole bunch of disabeled children. One of the older kids grew up to be a dog trainer for the police dept. That T.V. special really gave me a lot of hope for Noah's future. Any info you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated. Venessa (Noah's mom)

03-21-2006 06:29 AM



Tigger
Senior Member

Location: NSW, Australia
Registered: Jan 2006
Posts: 113
Last visit: 03-24-2006

There is a guy who works at Woolworths, he packs shelves and pushes trolleys and always says G'day. I see another guy around town too and he wears a suit. I think he works in an office.

I always keep in mind that when these guys were kids there was very little early intervention and they were treated totally differently than typical kids. Our kids are getting a much better start in life and going into a society that is prevented by law from discriminating against them! They will have many more opportunities than existed in the past.
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03-21-2006 08:08 AM



lespring
Super Member

Location: Twin Cities metro area, MN
Registered: Mar 2005
Posts: 3743
Last visit: 03-22-2006

My friend's son is a runner for a law firm. You know...running files from the records room to whoever is requesting it, etc. (he also lives independently!) Not too long ago she called him at work to see if he'd like to come over for dinner one night that week. His response? "I'm kinda busy right now mom. I'll have to get back to you on that, OK?" HA!

I think Angela would make an awesome restaraunt hostess. She can tell people where to sit (which counts as bossing people around, which she likes) and she would get to talk to EVERYONE in the place (which she already does when we go out to eat, this would just make it legit.) and she could hand out crayons and menus. So yea....it would be a perfect job for her!
__________________
~Leah~
mom to Noah 18, Tyler 17,Angela 9 (DS)
downcues.com

03-21-2006 08:15 AM



Koby'sMommy
Senior Member

Location: South Carolina
Registered: Feb 2005
Posts: 651
Last visit: 03-24-2006

There is a Guy named Jeremy here and his mother has BEEN HUGELY instrumental in developing DS organizations allover the country. They now live here. Jeremy has served on the NDSC board for many years. He used to work at the courthouse in Raleigh in PAYROLL making sure everyone got paid! a HUGE job for hinm and he did GREAT adn was paid well also! However he now moved to the beach with his mom(that is wehre we live) and works a more leisurly job at Kroger Grocery store. He bags groceries and stocks shelves, adn he might even ring people out one day a week, I can't remember. But he is a AMAZING. He is 35 or 36 now I can't remember. He is amazing he can read and write and drive. He plays instruments and allll kinds of stuff. BUT this si what gets me, he didn't even sit/crawl until he was 3 years old.He is a HUGE inspiration to me!

Then there is a guy with DS, don't know is age and can't remember his name(maybe barbara can help me) who works at the Medical university hospital and Childrens hospitals(they are connected) in Charleston. He works for the pharmacy division and delivers medication to all parts of the hospitals. He is such a nice and happy guy!He is probablyin his late 20's early thirties. -Courtney
__________________
Courtney-Wife to Chris- Mommy to Koby (12/16/04)

"Attitude, is the Disability"

03-21-2006 08:40 AM



Stephanie
Super Member

Location: Yardley, PA
Registered: Feb 2004
Posts: 2612
Last visit: 03-23-2006

Have you ever seen the Love and Learning DVD's.
The little girl w/ DS in those movies went to college and is now a teaching assistant.
__________________
Proud Parents Stephanie and Joe
Awesome Big Brother Joey 3/8/97
Beautiful Daughter Megan 11/8/03
Precious Lil' Livi 7/6/05

03-21-2006 09:14 AM



DanielsMommy
Super Member

Location: Rhode Island
Registered: Sep 2005
Posts: 1409
Last visit: 03-24-2006

I just met a mom at a baby shower a few weeks ago. Her son is in his early 20's. He was fully included in school, went to college and currently works independently at an architechural firm. I asked if he lived on his own..she said no...but he certainly could and probably will move out in a few years. It was so comforting to talk with her. Her eyes looked at me with so much understanding. She told me that her son has brought nothing but joy to her family. She gave me one bit of advice....enjoy your baby she said...because in the blink of an eye..they grow up!!

One of our supermarkets employs 4 teenagers with Ds. They bag groceries just like all the other teenagers. It is nice to see them interacting with all the employees and the customers. They are all quite popular in the store.
__________________
Lisa
Mommy to Elayna 10-1-02 and Daniel Ds 6-7-05
Always have hope....Without rain, there can be no rainbows.

03-21-2006 09:17 AM



LinMac
Senior Member

Location: Dublin, Ireland
Registered: Oct 2005
Posts: 581
Last visit: 03-24-2006

In my family there are a few adults with DS. Let me explain....

My SIL ( brother's wife) has a brother Jim who has DS. He's in his earlier thirties, and works for a large grogery store in their town. He was raised with a family of six and although he lives at home still he is quite independent. He is extremely social and has many friends.

Next my BIL ( sister's hubbie) has a sister with DS. Olive is in her early forties. Her folks were told she wouldn't live beyond twenty!!! Her mother refused to take that advice on board.

Olive worked in a workshop for years doing light assembley work. She has always lived with her parents, but she was able to travel to work, have friend, socialize on her own, etc. She loves music. A few years ago Olive had to give up her work cos she has serious heart problems. It wasn't possible to detect or correct that problem forty years ago..... I am in awe of her parents. They are wonderful people.

My mother's brother is developmentally delayed with an age of about 12. He's almost sixty now. He has lived on his own since my grandmother died, ten years ago. He has held down a few jobs, can cook and clean ( somewhat), travels, loves bingo. He was diagnosed with diabetics a few months ago and he is managing that by himeself. Ed was always with us when we were growing up. My mother helps him with things he has some difficulty with.

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 7), Robert (04/16/2004, DS)

03-21-2006 01:36 PM



Jackson's mimi
New Member

Location: Cheyenne, WY
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 11
Last visit: 03-24-2006

I know a young man in my town, about 29 or 30 now, who has his own business doing videography for local businesses and other groups. He does all the filming and his mom & other friends help him do the editing etc and with the business paperwork stuff. He also does inspirational speeches to groups about his life. He lives by himself in his own condo, he is the mortgage holder and pays all the bills himself. His mom said that helping him move out on his own was the hardest thing for her - but he loves it!
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Colleen, Mom to Sarah,Cody & Jackson

03-21-2006 02:57 PM



ajbest
Super Member

Location: NC
Registered: Apr 2005
Posts: 2070
Last visit: 03-24-2006

my PE Coach from Jr. High has a daughter (23/24yr. old) with Ds that is a Nurse Practitioner at a hospital in a near by county. aj
__________________
Momma to Janna (AVCanal-T21-02/02/05)
Wife to Joseph (TOF & still thriving)

"Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance." St. Francis of Assisi

03-21-2006 04:06 PM



JenBrock'sMom
Super Member

Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Registered: Sep 2005
Posts: 1322
Last visit: 03-23-2006

Vanessa, I feel blessed to have found several adults with Ds in my community who are living life to the fullest. Of course their is a range depending on the person's own abilities.

Mia Peterson lives in Des Moines and serves as a self advocate on NDSS' advocacy board. Mia is 32 and lives in her own condo (her parents live about 80 miles away). Mia works for Iowa Protection & Advocacy, assisting the office staff and serving on a number of committees. She is also a member of my communities Ds Buddy Walk Committee. Mia just moved back to Iowa after living in Ohio for 8 years on her own.

Here is a statement made by Mia regarding her high school education:

Mia started speaking up for herself when she was in high school. She had always been in special education classes, but she decided she wanted to take other classes.

"I told my teacher that there were some classes I wanted to be in, and I never got to be in those classes, journalism and especially chorus. That hurt my feelings. She said, 'The classes have already been put in the computer. ' I didn't know how to tell her off. You know what I did? I wrote letters. In one of my letters I said, 'Put that into your computer! ' It taught me a lesson to start thinking for myself for once. I learned that your answers to your problems won't get anywhere unless you do something about it first."

The second person I want to tell you about is Katie Meade, who is in her early twenties. Katie also lives in Des Moines. Katie was an International Global Messenger from 2002 through 2004 for Special Olympics and was the official spokesperson for the Special Olympics national Make the Point! promotion. She's been an athlete for more than 12 years, she trains and competes in aquatics, gymnastics, athletics, basketball and softball.

In February of this year Katie job shadowed our state House Majority Leader (I'm a lobbyist so this was so cool to learn about). As part of her day Katie participated in meetings with the majority leader, who introduced her to the entire Iowa House.

Katie works for city government, I'm not sure what her position is.

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JenBrock'sMom & wife to Jay
Brock 7/28/05

03-21-2006 04:30 PM



CJField
Member

Location:
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 66
Last visit: 03-24-2006

My husband's uncle had Down syndrome, but he was never encouraged to live outside of the home or get a job.

There is a man (two actually) who live in my community who both work at a local grocery store chain.
__________________
CJ
Mom to:
Brendan (10/96)
Emmalee (06/04: DS)
Jayna (09/05: DS)

03-23-2006 09:31 PM



mom2kbg
New Member

Location:
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 9
Last visit: 03-24-2006

The lead desk guy at the YMCA (must be in his early 20's) has DS. He answers the phone, greats customers, cleans machines, gets people towels and signs people up for memberships.

03-23-2006 09:46 PM



CJField
Member

Location:
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 66
Last visit: 03-24-2006

Oh, I ran into another adult in the community. I did not get to talk to her, but she had to be at least in her late thirties, but more like her early forties. (Full gray hair, granny dress, shawl, the works.)

I ran into her at the mall and watched her from a distance. She got soemthing to eat and sat near us reading a book. When she was done eating, she got up, got her keys out of her purse and I watched her drive away.

I heard her on the phone with someone telling them she had to stop at the pet store and get her dog some food before heading home, but she would call the person when she made it there.

It was very apparent she was completely independant. I wish I would have struck up a conversation with her, but I am always SO hesitant to approach people.

Some people don't want to acknowledge the fact that their child has Down syndrome (or that they do) and I'm afraid I'm going to offend them by approaching them.

Can you tell I'm new at this?!?
__________________
CJ
Mom to:
Brendan (10/96)
Emmalee (06/04: DS)
Jayna (09/05: DS)

03-24-2006 12:25 AM



bonniepd
Senior Member

Location: Minneapolis area
Registered: Jan 2006
Posts: 140
Last visit: 03-24-2006

Venessa, I have work for 6 1/2 years in a DTH (Day Training and Rehabilitation Facility) or sheltered work shop. We have some people with DS but many of them are over the age of 40. Most of these folks were in intuitions and never had the opportunities that our children will have. Many of these people don't know how to read and write but they are happy and have goals and dreams just like the rest of us. The DS adults are the most fun to be around and everyone wants them on their team.

What is hard for me to see is the Alzheimer Disease. Maybe it will be different for the younger generation and I expect it will be different but many of the people I work with start showing signs of Alzheimer desires as early as 40. It is hard to see them change. Sometimes the Alzheimer is slow progression and sometimes it happens quickly. Sometimes the DS adults don't show any signs until they are in their middle 50's. It will be interesting to see what happens with the next generation as many of them do keep their minds much more active then the older generation.

I am glad to hear some stories of other adult is DS as I do no know of any other than at my work. I suspect that we have not seen many younger DS adults come into our program because they are much high functioning then the people we are severing. I suspect DS adults are working in the community.

I dream that Anthony will be one day very "successful" I don't care if that would mean he is in a DTH and living in a group home or living independently. Success will mean to me that he is happy, health, has friends and a good job. Sure I hope that he will be independent and will not have to rely on his brothers or parents much. But, realistically we all need our families and whatever Anthony will need I sure hope his brothers or his parents will be there for him. For me Anthony�s success will be measured by his happiness.

If you want to see the DTH that I work at here is a link:
http://www.accessability.org/

__________________
Alexander (8/7/99), Andrew (9/26/02), Anthony (12/29/05 DS)

03-24-2006 08:17 AM



Mashpotato_69
Senior Member

Location: Birchington, Thanet, Kent, England, UK
Registered: Aug 2005
Posts: 136
Last visit: 03-24-2006

I've posted several times about a guy in my community, whom unfortunately i haven't had teh pleasure of meeting, that lives independantly, cares for his elderly parents and owns his own buisness.

The Downs association in the UK are having a photo exibition this year in the Oxo gallery London. There are 4 photographers - 1 doing birth - 6 months for there awareness week campaign focusing on how parents are told their child has Downs. Another photoing birth - old age, which includes a theatre group, film actress, chef, married couple and students. The other two are complimenting the theme.
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03-24-2006 09:22 AM



fixedyang
Senior Member

Location: Orlando, FL
Registered: Dec 2005
Posts: 166
Last visit: 03-24-2006

Bonnie....I LOVE what you said in your reply.....

"we all need our families and whatever Anthony will need I sure hope his brothers or his parents will be there for him. For me Anthony�s success will be measured by his happiness. "

It's a great way at looking at things!

__________________
Sherri & Chad married 12/16/00
Mom to Cooper (14), Hunter (12), Ethan (2), and our sweet baby girl Sadie born 10/3/05 (DS)

"Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child
Listen to the DON'TS
Listen to the SHOULDN'TS the IMPOSSIBLES the WON'TS.
LISTEN TO THE never haves
Then listen close to me-
ANYTHING can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be"

Shel Silverstein

All times are ET (US)

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