World Down syndrome day

I'm not a therapist here, or someone writing an advice column. The problems in my life are not that different to other people's lives. I hope that's something people will understand.

Its World Down syndrome day on Tuesday 21st March. This day is about people like me. Celebrating why we are important in everybody's lives. My Sister Rhiannon and my friend Nathan went on the news to talk about the amazing ordinary lives people with Down syndrome have and about World Down syndrome day. They were on Morning show, and Nathan was on Lateline. I love my sister on there, she likes to speak up on behalf of people with disability so they too get the same opportunities as everyone else. I would like to go on the news too. But I worry that I don't understand the questions, I'm afraid I would freeze up a little.

Not everyone is an advocate you know. Some people with Down syndrome are just living normal lives. We don't all have to be on T.V. talking about ourselves just because we are born "different" in some ways. Different in some ways, but not all ways. Some of us are writers and poets, who like watching movies, going to the theatre, spending time with family and friends and listening to music.

I'm Twenty Eight years old. The issues I face in my life are similar to the issues most people face around this age. People with disability face the same challenges as everybody does. Sometimes people with disability struggle with health. There can be challenges for people with disability in having relationships. Starting a family is a big question. Just like for other people, because they're not perfect.

It can be difficult to live the life that you want to lead, and to ask for the kind of help and support that you need to do that. Because I need help, sometimes people don't understand it’s still ok for me to know what I want.

I'm lucky I have my own family with me to support me through. With a councillor I've been making a tree. I've posted it on face book. It is a tree about the things that are important to my life. Just like people without disability, I have emotions too. People with disability also experience all the positive emotions. Like joy, happiness, excitement, magical love. I think everybody wants to have those feelings.

I love who I am and the life I have! #MyVoiceMyCommunity #WDSD Down Syndrome Australia Down Syndrome NSW Not special needs :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNMJaXuFuWQ