Down Syndrome Family Network: More inclusion needed

Chairman and founder of the Down Syndrome Family Network (DSFN) Glen Niles says having Down syndrome doesn’t mean a person can’t live a normal life, earn an income or be independent. He said such people, however, need opportunities and a sense of inclusion if this is to happen.

Speaking with reporters yesterday at the Nelson Mandela Park, St Clair during the sixth annual DSFN Buddy Walk, Niles said, “Everybody with Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy is different.”

“They have different needs, different wants, different emotions. So we want them to be given that opportunity to be able to discover what their real potential is rather than us deciding what their potential is and setting them aside.

“The Buddy Walk is all about awareness and inclusion of people with any sort of disability. We’re fed up of people with intellectual disabilities being considered ‘special’ and being sidelined for their lives when it doesn’t have to be like that.”

Although awareness levels in TT are still relatively low, Niles said the organisation “keeps pushing and we have a strong social media presence. We also try to have articles published in the newspapers regularly. It’s all about changing the culture from a strong charity model to a more social model.”

Niles explained that under a social model, there’s more acceptance and inclusion of people with all types of disabilities, which in turn allows those people to live full lives, as independent as possible from their families.

Talking about what’s possible in TT if people are willing to give others an opportunity, Niles said what started out as a three-month internship for his son Tyrese more than two years ago, is now a full-time job at Aeropost Trinidad.

“This is the (direction) we want to go in. We have a slogan on the back of our Buddy Walk T-shirts - Opportunities Reveal Potential, because it’s time we start going past the excuses about why this or that can’t work and instead, look for the solutions.”

Sharon Rowley, wife of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, participated in this year’s event. She told Newsday it was actually her second time; having accepted an invitation in 2015.

“It’s such a worthy cause,” Rowley said.

There are a number of people who are affected by Down syndrome but we find that there is not the inclusiveness that you require.”

Asked how the rest of TT can be encouraged to be more inclusive and open-minded, Rowley said it must start with awareness.

Noting that money “is always an issue” in terms of funding awareness programmes, she saidthe country is however on the right track “for a better future for children and adults who have Down syndrome, thanks to individuals, NGOs and corporations “who support any venture which encourages and supports Down syndrome awareness.”