CHESHIRE ACTORS BUST MYTHS ABOUT DOWN’S SYNDROME

A group of Cheshire drama students living with Down’s syndrome are launching a campaign to challenge common misconceptions about the learning disability.

The six ‘myth busters’ which include false ideas such as “People with Down’s syndrome can’t read or write” and “People with Down’s syndrome all look the same!” are being released across social media by the charity Down Syndrome Cheshire (based in Northwich) to coincide with World Down Syndrome Day on 21^st March.

The short clips feature members of the charity’s weekly drama club as they challenge the views that act as a barrier to their inclusion and have a negative impact on their lives. The campaign will run alongside the charity’s World Down Syndrome Day message of #ichoose which advocates the life choices of their members.

The drama group was set up by Down Syndrome Cheshire in response to the loneliness and isolation many people with Down’s syndrome felt during the pandemic, particularly those who were advised to shield for medical reasons.

Down Syndrome Cheshire CEO Lawrence Caygill comments,

“All of us experienced what it was like having limited choice and less control over our lives during the pandemic. For some people with disabilities life can be like that far too often. This campaign seeks to dispel misconceptions about Down’s syndrome and urges the public to get real about our members having their own choices and achieving in life. We celebrate World Down Syndrome Day every year so it’s the perfect opportunity to raise public awareness and smash some of those outdated myths that can have a damaging impact on people’s lives.”

The ’myth busters’ will be released on the charity website and across social media during the month of March in the build up to the big day and members of the public are urged to view them at: 

www.dscheshire.org.uk 

and by following:

@DSCheshire (Facebook)

@downscheshire (Twitter)

@dscheshire (Instagram).

Pictured - L-R Theo Avraam, Jordan Dunderdale, Jamie Goodier.