Moving Bodies, Moving Boundaries
Image above – Cate Sayers and her daughter Alle.
I am a mother of four daughters – one born with Down syndrome.
Twelve years ago, our second baby arrived as planned – healthy but not traditionally beautiful, with extremely rashy skin, a small face, beady eyes and a thick black Mohawk on her head. Not resembling her blond blue-eyed sister, we lovingly joked that she must have been delivered by the milkman.
On the second day our jokes abruptly vanished and our world was turned upside down when we were told that our baby needed hospitalisation with severe jaundice… and that she had Down syndrome.
I remember every minute of that day vividly and can replay it in my head on autocue. Shock, tears, anger and disappointment. But whilst tears flowed, so too did an intense emotion. The same basic human emotion that drives most parents – unconditional love and protection at all costs.
I was determined to change the status quo for my daughter. I promised myself that she would have a life full of health, happiness and respect – to participate fully in life and to fulfill her potential.
We quickly learnt that Down syndrome is a genetic condition – it is not an illness or disease. It is the most common chromosome disorder with an estimated seven million people living with the condition worldwide.
People with Down syndrome have some characteristic physical features, some health and development challenges and some level of intellectual disability. But many people with Down syndrome go to mainstream schools and have mainstream jobs. Life expectancy has increased dramatically, and is now the same as the general population.
These facts were what spurred me on to fulfill my promise to my daughter. The misinformation and lack of understanding in the community made me determined to provide opportunities for people with Down syndrome and in the process, better educate the public about what people with intellectual disabilities can achieve if given the chance.
In 2009, after being unable to find an appropriate dance class to meet my daughter’s learning needs, I set up e.motion21 -
A not-for-profit volunteer organisation that provides a dance and fitness program designed specifically for children and young adults with Down syndrome.
Our vision is to enhance lives and change perceptions of Down syndrome within society through dance, fitness and performance. We achieve this by ‘Moving Bodies and Moving Boundaries’. This means that in addition to providing programs to children and young adults we also engage with the community to combat the negative perceptions of Down syndrome, promote understanding and raise expectations.
The benefits of the e.motion21 program are wide-ranging, including health, exercise, social and self-esteem outcomes for participants. These benefits in turn positively impact our student’s families who often face ignorance and discrimination.
Every year, World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on 21 March.
On this day, people all around the world celebrate the lives and achievements of people with Down syndrome, creating a global voice, advocating for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome.
This year (2014), World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) was celebrated in Melbourne’s iconic Fed Square. It was a wonderful opportunity for the e.motion21 dancers to once again change pre-conceived notions of what those with Down syndrome can do. We are delighted that we will be back at Fed Square in March 2015 with another lively and energetic program to inspire our community.
These events and opportunities show our city that people with Down syndrome have the same goals, dreams and aspirations in life as everyone and highlight that the condition can affect one’s physical and intellectual abilities but it does not define them.
We have come a long way in the way we manage intellectual disabilities in our society but the future is yet to be realised. People need to know that given the right learning environment and opportunities, people with Down syndrome can lead happy and healthy lives.