Down Syndrome Acceptance Month- A Self Advocate Perspective

Down syndrome does not define me as a human being

Guest Blog by self-advocate and college student, Maya Greengus

Maya’s words are powerful. We think that hearing her share this blog in a video is even better. You can read everything she shares below and can listen to her here: Maya’s Perspective

Living a life with Down syndrome for 20 years feels more like an accomplishment than living with it everyday. I went along with my life by ignoring my disability that I’m born with because I know I’m human just the way I am. I don’t want the way I live my life as a label.

The word Down syndrome feels like a label to me and I just want to live a life where I shouldn’t have to be labeled as I have Down syndrome when I already know that I have it. I mean just the way I live my own life shouldn’t be defined through Down Syndrome. I personally just don’t like labels just because of how people look at me. I feel that it is important to love yourself more, for me it took me time considering when I was in middle school I had my own self doubts, but now as an adult it truly matters to me that loving yourself for the way that you are gives me better self esteem.

If I were to give advice to my younger self from my own childhood now at age 20, it would be to look at how far you have come as an individual through the negativity that was thrown at you for having Down syndrome, through the hard times where people would make fun of you for being different. I could see in my memory that I used to cry because I had a hard time dealing with that as a kid.

That gave me a voice now to speak up for myself when someone throws a judgement at me considering when I was a kid that I had a struggle with that. At one moment in my life when I ran away from elementary school which I shouldn’t have done, I couldn’t even admit this, not even to my parents that I got made fun of that day for being some different, weird girl. I mean as an adult now, I understand my pain back then as a kid but I know now that people can be mean but I don’t pay attention to that.

Having Down syndrome is one part of me. I don’t even care about that past negativity because I am strong enough to be me as I am. I already went through my childhood when that did happen but I am over it because as an adult now with Down Syndrome, I just care about being me, me finding real happiness in my life.

I found someone who truly cares about me the way that I am because he says that I am beautiful as an individual with Down syndrome which brought me a warm smile. That is when I found real love with someone who cares about me as I am. The past is the past and I honestly don’t care about the hard times that I went through because I have been loved for 20 years of my entire life. I have made a significant impact on myself and others. I am blessed to be born under the supportive, loving, caring arms of my mother and father. I am incredibly grateful for the life that I lead so far for 20 years.

I keep a sentiment saying that helps give me a reason to be grateful I’m alive like when I am first born when the doctor tells my mom that I am born with Down syndrome, she says, “ Let me hold the miracle of life in my arms, the perfect name for my child is Maya.”  I have felt my entire life loved by the mother who raised me to be who I am today. I am not just saying it because I lived with that my entire life. My mom is the reason why I am alive, she was the one to help me have a life I deserve. She taught me significant life lessons. I will never stop learning from the woman who gave me a life. My mom truly brings an impact to my life because she knows what is best for me in my life, even for me.

Having Down syndrome brings a light in my life. I grew up with a family who loves me as I am, I am beyond grateful to have 5 cousins in my life because I grew close with all of them. They are my family and I love them with all my heart. Being a part of a family means to me personally is that all you need is love. That is where a family grows. The most meaningful relationship I had throughout my life is with my built in best friend, my younger sister. Since I was 6 years old, around my 6th birthday, my sister arrived in this world. It was the best birthday gift I could ever have. I am incredibly honored to be a big sister to her.

Down syndrome has greatly impacted my life in a positive way that I am beyond thankful for. I am proud to be me, I am extremely proud to be a daughter, a cousin, a niece, a sister. I love myself for who I am. Down syndrome is one part of me but overall I am glad I’m human.