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People with Down syndrome can speak for themselves

"My name is Ruth Cromer. I live in Sydney near Bondi Beach with my parents and my brother. I am 26 years old. I have Trisomy 21. What is Down syndrome for me? When I was a school student, I went to normal schools (whatever they are!), and I was in regular classes. I liked my schools and I liked my teachers. I found the work hard, but Mum helped me with homework and my reading.

"They have always said that people with Down syndrome would not learn very much. When I was eleven years old, my teacher wrote in my report that 'We should not expect too much of Ruth'; but I want to show people that they are wrong about me having Down syndrome: I had that feeling inside me that I can do things.

"But I had to change schools as there was no help for me in the senior school. So when I was thirteen I had to start at a new school. I was a bit nervous at first. I did some classes with the other students doing English, textiles and dressmaking, and did special education classes. I wanted to learn to type, but the teacher said learning to type was too hard for me, but I did it anyway'

"so what was it like being a person with Down syndrome at school? I didn't have many friends in senior school, and sometimes I felt 'outside'. At lunchtime, I used to go to the school library and read books. When people were mean to me, I just walked away. And when some people were not interested in me, I felt left out. I felt lonely then. They were not friends of mine. And some people stared at me, and sort of pointed at me, and I found that rude.

"Having Down syndrome means it is hard to get a job. And when they do offer jobs they are not suitable, like the job at the airport, which was shift work ending at midnight! And then I would have to get home! How would I do it? But I had two office jobs, and I was the relief switchboard operator. But those jobs finished.

"But acting is the thing I wanted to do most and I have done it! I have worked as an actor on TV and on the stage. I started doing drama classes when I was 11 years old. So as an actor who happens to have Down syndrome I have been able to get lots of work! I have done videos promoting rights at work and in the community. And I perform at launches and promotions.

"I never thought I would be an actor on TV, but I was asked to be in 'A Country Practice' in a guest role. Then I got another job. I got a part in a play on the stage. How did I get involved in it? Well, I auditioned and I got in'

"People always ask me how do I learn my lines? Do I have to have help? Well, I don't. I learn all of my lines myself and I keep at it. I also know the whole script. I never miss a cue. I do my job, and I work very hard. I am always ready on time, and I am very well organised'

"What Down syndrome means to me is that I can have a life just like anyone else. And I have made a life for myself. I represent people with disabilities on three committees. I am a member of the management committee of the Down Syndrome Association of New South Wales. I do drama workshops at the National Institute of Dramatic Art with other actors who have intellectual disability. I do aerobics with my friends and swim with Dad every Sunday with the Bondi Mermaids in the ocean pool right through winter. Mum and I go shopping and we get to have lunch together. Sometimes we go to the art gallery, and we also do power walking several times a week. My brother Michael is cool and twenty-one. Nanna is dead now but I still love her. We had the best times together. I like to walk down and visit my grandfather on Sundays and have coffee with him. I write letters to my aunts and they write back to me'

"I have learnt to be strong and can cope with people who are mean to me. I don't let it worry me, I forget it. I feel secure.

"But there are things that I cannot do. Michael stays out overnight. Why can't I? Michael goes away on weekends. Why can't I? I know why. Because I can't get there, and I can't drive a car, and my friends can't drive either.

"Now this kind of thing makes me mad. I went to the bank with my mother to open a cheque and key card account because I had a job and I was earning money. The lady in the bank kept asking Mum all the questions, and she didn't ask me anything! I felt like saying 'Hello! I'm over here, lady!'

"What is Down syndrome for me? I do not feel any different. I know it is there, but I do not think about it. I carry on with my life. It is not going to stop me having a flat one day and getting married. If my husband and I agree to have a support person to help us with the money, that's fine.

"I recommend that adults with Down syndrome need to be in the community a bit more. I strongly believe that our adults with Down syndrome can have a life. So what do you think about that!

"In the play I did, my final speech is a powerful monologue, it really hits home: 'I have Down syndrome. It's not a disease. There is no cure. I was born that way. I don't like it, but I've learnt to cope with it. So have my parents. I'm not a disabled person. I'm a person with a disability. I'm a person first'." Ruth Cromer, Australia

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