Two young Down's syndrome patients discuss their experiences growing up with a developmental disability, and reveal their thoughts and feelings on friendship, school, careers, marriage, independence, and other topics
In this ground-breaking volume, Mitchell Levitz (22) and Jason Kingsley (19) share their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship - and their experiences of growing up with Down syndrome. While scores of textbooks and "as-told-to" accounts offer secondhand descriptions of people with developmental disabilities, none enable such a direct understanding of their perceptions.
Count Us In draws from more than fifty conversations Mitchell and Jason had with each other, as well as with family and friends, over the course of three years. With wit, intelligence, candor, and charm, these two young men speak about what matters most in their lives: careers, friendships, school, sex, marriage, politics, finances, and independence. Their concerns echo those of most young people at the cusp of adulthood, yet they also reflect the special challenges of growing up with a disability.
In telling us about themselves in their own words, Mitchell and Jason make a powerful and inspirational statement about the full potential of people with developmental disabilities. Jason: "Somehow when I get older I can overcome my disability, but right now I have to adjust to it. I have to do the easy parts and the good parts of this whole life." Mitchell: "I was born with Down syndrome and I said to my parents that I have overcome my disability. I believe that I've come so far . . ."
