In an interview with the Washington Post, AnnaRose says how people are surprised to learn that she goes to college, that she dates, competes in sports and even has a job. This makes her feel sad and disappointed, like she’s not treated with respect. She graduated from high school last year, with honors and a 3.68 grade point average.
People with Down Syndrome are smart individuals that for many years have shielded from society. Over the last couple of decades, their IQ’s have increased by 20 points, the majority of them can read and write and many are graduating from college. People with Down Syndrome used to have an average life expectancy of just 28 years old back in the 80’s, but now they’re living up to their 60’s.
They are hitting the runway, finding love and getting married, and developing into amazing athletes in the Special Olympics. One of the reasons they are living longer is due to the end of institutionalizing and more and more are living their lives independently and are working members of society.
