Respect to Eleanor Bailey

Here is a speech by Eleanor Bailey. She is an advocate for people who have Down syndrome. When I first started writing this blog I posted an article that I found on the internet - she had written it when she was just 11. Now she is 19 and it's great to see that she is still going strong and standing up for other people who have Down syndrome.

Eleanor Bailey: Buddy Walk Speech
September - 2007

"Good Morning. Welcome to the Buddy Walk.
Thank you for asking me to speak. It is a great pleasure for me to see you all here. It is always
a great pleasure to see so many people with Down syndrome together in one place.
People with Down syndrome all want freedom, just like everybody else!

All people with Down syndrome have the right to be included in every part of the world.
Children with Down syndrome have the right to go with school in a regular classroom with other children.
Adults with Down syndrome have the right to a good job that makes them proud and independent.

People with Down syndrome have the right to marry and have families just like everyone else.
People with Down syndrome have the right to a nice place to live.
People with Down syndrome have the right to good medical care.
People with Down syndrome have the right to transportation to wherever they want to go.
People with Down syndrome want to be happy.
No one belongs in an institution or nursing home.

Here is my message- always be proud. Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing
the game!!
Be proud!
Make your own choices!
Make good choices!
Remember disability pride. Be proud of who you are.
Be proud to be a person with Down syndrome.
Thank you for coming today. Have a wonderful celebration.

Free Our People!!
Thank you"

Brothers playing

Alfie and Noah love to play together. Alfie can't take his eyes off his brother.

Thank goodness for Holland!

This is interesting. The Down Syndrome Society in the Nederlands has launched a new poster campaign. The caption reads "I can.... May I? - Down Syndrome is a chronic illness and we are looking for suitable treatment".







This strategy is to renew interest into research into Down syndrome and counteract the prevention of Down syndrome via termination of pregnancy.

The Nederlands Down Syndrome Society is very successful. In Holland a pregnant woman will be given counselling when she recieves a positive diagnosis for Ds and will have to take three weeks of counselling before she makes a decision about the continuation/termination of her pregnancy. The country's termination rate, (I believe - don't quote me) is around 50% rather than in the high 90%'s (for UK, Canada and USA).
Down Syndrome Awareness Day is a big deal in Holland too, with the Queen attending a special ceremony and loads of press coverage.

Hopefully our Down Syndrome Society will follow suit.

Ooh Ooh! I've won something!