KIDS PAGE: Meet Josh from Nickelodeon
10/08/2007
Hi I’m Josh.
You might have seen me on the TV. I love playing in the park with my friends. I also like going to the cinema, and I go to gymnastics club once a week.
I was born with Down’s syndrome. This means that I look a bit different from other people, and I sometimes need extra help to do things.
On this page, you can find out more about Down’s syndrome and read some stuff about what it’s like having a brother or sister or friend with Down’s syndrome.
What is Down’s syndrome?
In our bodies are trillions of cells, the tiny parts of us that make us who we are. Inside each cell are even smaller things called chromosomes. Most people have 46 chromosomes in every cell. Babies born with Down’s syndrome have an extra chromosome in each cell. It is this extra chromosome that causes Down’s syndrome.
People who have Down’s syndrome are born with it and will always have it. You can’t pick up Down’s syndrome or pass it to anyone else. We don’t know the reason why some people have an extra chromosome, it just happens by chance when the baby is made.
People with Down’s syndrome can look a bit like each other, but they will mostly look like their family, just like you do. Sometimes people with Down’s syndrome might have to see a doctor more often than other people because they are a bit more likely to get certain illnesses.
People with Down’s syndrome have a learning disability. This means that they will take longer to learn things than other people. They will be able to do the same sorts of things as everyone else, but might need a bit of extra help to do them. People with Down’s syndrome can make friends, go to school, get a job and enjoy their lives just like anyone else.
Do you have a brother or sister with Down’s syndrome?
The relationship you have with your brother or sister is always a very special relationship, so enjoy it! You don’t need to feel differently towards your brother or sister because they have Down’s syndrome – it is just something else that makes them special and one of the many things about them that makes them who they are. You will always have lots of different feelings towards your brother or sister whether they have Down’s syndrome or not.
Sometimes you might feel happy, proud, jealous, protective, annoyed, embarrassed, guilty. It is fine to feel all these things, and it often helps to talk to someone else about how you are feeling.
Your brother or sister is an individual just like everyone else. They might like cooking, music, video games, reading – whatever. The Down’s syndrome is just part of who they are - it is their likes and dislikes and the things they say and do that make them fun or interesting or a role-model – or sometimes just plain annoying!
Sometimes your friends might ask you questions about your brother or sister. You could try to tell them about Down’s syndrome, or ask your mum or dad to help you explain if you want. You can let your brother or sister join in your games, so that your friends can see for themselves that having Down’s syndrome doesn’t stop them having fun!!
And remember that all brothers and sisters fight sometimes, whether they have Down’s syndrome or not!
Quiz
Do you know which of the following statements are true or false? Check the answers at the bottom of the page.
True or false:
1) People with Down’s syndrome are always happy.
2) People with Down’s syndrome don’t live very long.
3) People with Down’s syndrome can’t get married.
4) People with Down’s syndrome can’t take exams.
Colouring fun
Click here to colour in me and my friends!
Click here to colour us in on the climbing frame!
Have you met Josh yet?
If not, click here to find out when you can spot him on his special DSA advert on Nickelodeon.
Want to read more?
There are loads of books out there about people with Down’s syndrome, for all ages. Click here to see the list of books that the Down’s Syndrome Association particularly likes. You may like to ask your mum and dad to have a look at the list with you.
Quiz answers:
All the statements above are FALSE. These are the TRUE statements:
1) People with Down’s syndrome have the same feelings and moods as everyone else.
2) People with Down’s syndrome today usually live until about 60 or older
3) People with Down’s syndrome are able to fall in love just like anyone else, and they can get married if they choose to
4) People with Down’s syndrome can go to school and pass exams