Downs

             Many people with Down syndrome suffer from a variety of health problems. The most common and significant symptom is mental retardation, which ranges from mild to moderate. People with Down syndrome suffer from congenital heart defects, which affect approximately 40-50% of these people. Their poor muscle tone makes much physical activity difficult. There are many hormonal problems, mainly thyroid disease. People with Down syndrome suffer from circulatory problems, respiratory ailments, and digestive problems. Nearly 70% of infants have some type of problem with their eyes. The most common eye problem is eye muscle imbalance, known as strabismus which causes the eyes to cross. About 50% afflicted with Down syndrome will suffer from hearing loss. Many of these problems can be serious or even life threatening but fortunately, most of them can be treated if they are detected early. Due to the nature of the disease and the many health issues involved, the life expectancy for a person with Down syndrome is only 50-65 years. Babies are born with poor muscle tone causing weak muscles and making it harder for them to develop motor skills such as using their arms and legs. It is harder for them to grasp objects, crawl, and walk. Children with Down syndrome have difficulty with their cognitive (thinking) abilities, problem solving, memory retention, social, language, and motor skills. This is one reason why people with Down syndrome become frustrated very easily.
             Although people with disabilities are becoming more acceptable in society, we still have a long way to go. Congress has passed many laws to help the disabled such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, and the most well known, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. People with Down syndrome just want to be like every one else. Many of these people live "normal" lives. They go to school and learn, they are taught skills and learn to be independent, they work and even get married.