Heavy statistics says that in 90 percent of cases, children with Down syndrome are killed in the womb, having an abortion. Even if a child is born, in 9 out of 10 cases it is abandoned by the parents. But it’s completely in vain, because it’s ordinary people, just with some (sometimes very significant) features in development. People with the syndrome have their own talents, and if they are developed, they can become successful, famous, and, with the help of their own work, not just self-sufficient, but even rich.
Strong people
Some famous people with Down syndrome are described and. Many people with this congenital disease have achieved success and worldwide fame. For example, actors with Down syndrome - Pablo Pineda, Paula Sage, Stephanie Ginz, Pascal Dukenne, Max Lewis, Sergey Makarov, athletes - Karren Gaffney, Maria Langovaya, Andrey Vostrikov, restaurateurs - Tom Harris, Nikita Panichev, musicians and singers - Miguel Tomasin , Ronald Jenkins, artists - Raymond Hu, Josie Webster, teacher Maria Nefedova. Many of those named have higher education, work as teachers, and have achieved success due to their perseverance in life.
A person, even if he is sick, can achieve his dreams, his joy makes everyone around him happier. We need to help those who need help and each of us will feel more comfortable in our small world, where everything is interdependent.
In the state of Illinois, in the United States of America, Michael Jurgue Johnson draws. This versatile artist with Down's Syndrome paints people, animals, and has many landscape works. The execution style is special, but the paintings are quite realistic, he not only paints at will, but also receives many orders for certain paintings.
Michael has websites that showcase his work. He also shows on his Internet resources the work of other artists who have the same disease. Mike periodically organizes exhibitions of his work.
In Ukrainian regional center Lutsk lives an interesting guy Bohdan Kravchuk. He became famous after he became the first Ukrainian student who has a gene anomaly. Despite the fact that he has Down syndrome, he is interested in history and geography, knows the capitals of all European countries, as well as the dates of the most important historical events in the territory of Ukraine.
Bogdan from the first grades was interested in books, textbooks, geographical maps. The grandfather, Vasily Kravchuk, worked with the child, who helped develop the child's photographic memory and imagination, which helped the child in his studies. Much is given to Bogdan with difficulty - he does not count well, he cannot tie his shoelaces. But most ordinary peers can envy his success - he knows by heart a huge number of poems by Kotlyarevsky, Shevchenko, Lesya Ukrainka.
The child began to walk late - after two years. He also did not speak for a long time, but his mother began to teach him to read early and the baby suddenly began to talk. There were no special methods, the training was ordinary, but my mother needed a lot of patience. The boy went to the first grade in a rehabilitation center, he really liked geography, literature, history, his interests coincided with his grandfather's and he enjoyed working with his grandson. He was also assisted by a history teacher Larisa Bondaruk, whose classes with Bogdan became his favorite.
Having finished school well, he entered the Eastern European National University in Lutsk. There were problems with admission, they did not want to issue a medical certificate, since, according to the law of 1967, children with special genetic development cannot enter the university. However, in 2006, a decree was issued in Ukraine, according to which such children can study at correspondence department, this form of education was chosen by Bogdan. A history teacher helped in obtaining a doctor's note. By the way, I passed the testing on admission on a general basis - the tests included three subjects - Ukrainian language, world history, History of Ukraine. After graduating from the university, Bogdan plans to work in the historical archive, he likes to study ancient documents.
Artist Maryam Alekberli
Azerbaijani artist Maryam Alekberi is known all over the world, she paints in an interesting, rather realistic style, which is compared with the manner of Paul Gauguin and Henri Mattis. Exhibitions are held in many countries, the most famous is a solo exhibition at the Louvre in 2015. The girl is not only well-developed intellectually, but also quite beautiful, you can’t even say that she has Down syndrome.
The girl was born in 1991 in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. She studied at a school for ordinary children, after graduating from school she additionally studied in Baku and Moscow educational institutions. From childhood, she loved to draw, showing her imagination, her mother helped the girl develop her talent, and at the age of 19, the first significant exhibition was held at the Art Garden Museum in Baku.
There is only one step from sadness to joy. This immutable truth is familiar to every person. However, in all cases, trouble overtakes a person absolutely unexpectedly. The statistics are relentless: in the US, autism affects one out of every 88 children, Down syndrome - every 700th. Many celebrity families have faced developmental disorders in their own children, but have not given up.
1. Irina Khakamada
Irina amazed many by deciding to have a baby at 42. In 2004, she experienced a terrible family tragedy. Doctors diagnosed her youngest daughter Masha with a terrible diagnosis - leukemia. The girl underwent a course of chemotherapy. Fortunately, she overcame this disease. And two years ago, Irina Mitsuovna came to the premiere of the blockbuster "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" with the matured Masha. This publication was not easy even for the strong-willed Khakamada. Everyone saw: her daughter suffers from Down syndrome - and imbued with respect for this persistent woman.
2. The Beckham family
Athlete's wife Victoria, she former member musical group Spice Girls, she herself confirmed the information about the illness of the offspring. According to the mother, her middle son reacts very painfully to camera flashes, which make the child fall into tantrums, the continuation of which may well become a seizure.
It is known that people suffering from epilepsy, although not terminally ill, are nevertheless extremely limited in their actions. So they are forbidden to ride cars and motorcycles. Almost all patients are required to take mountains of pills throughout their lives, since it is extremely difficult to cure epilepsy.
3. Lolita Milyavskaya
Lolita does not hide the fact that the child has health problems. Until the age of four, Eva could not speak, besides, she has poor eyesight. The singer herself never mentioned what the girl was sick with. But it has long been rumored that Eve has Down syndrome. They say that, having learned about this diagnosis, the singer was initially shocked, and now she is trying to do everything so that her daughter can realize herself as fully as possible.
The singer said that the birth began in the sixth month of pregnancy. The baby weighed less than one and a half kilograms, and she was nursed for a long time in a pressure chamber.
4. Evelina Bledans
The 43-year-old actress became a mother in the spring of 2012 - the first-born Bledans and her husband Alexander Semin were born.
the boy was named Semyon and soon the whole family moved out of town, deciding that village life on fresh air much more suitable for mom and baby. No one could have imagined what was hiding behind this pastoral idyll.
The baby, whom Bledans gave birth to on April 1, suffers from a severe genetic pathology - Down syndrome.
According to the actress, the doctors noticed the first signs of an anomaly during an ultrasound examination at the 14th week of pregnancy. Then the doctors suggested that Bledans have an abortion. But the couple resolutely refused.
5. Katie Price
Recently, former model Jordan defended the title of a good mother in court. Inspired by the fact that the court found her completely right, Jordan decided that she could well take another baby into her family (recall that she has three children). Katie is determined to adopt a disabled child, something no celebrity has yet dared to do before her. By her own admission, Jordan's thoughts about a foster child with developmental disabilities arose after she saw a report on TV about the life of disabled orphans.
It is worth noting that it is Kathy who knows how to take care of a child with a diagnosis - her first son, Harvey, was born blind and suffers from autism.
6. Colin Farrell
4-year-old son James suffers from a rare disease - a neuro-genetic disorder. Colin has been praising his baby ever since he revealed James's Angelman syndrome.
7. Sylvester Stallone
Sergio (born 1979), the youngest son of Sylvester Stallone, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. For the actor, this news was a real blow, and his then wife, Sasha Czack, saw her husband's fault in the child's illness.
8. Toni Braxton
In October 2006 American singer burst into tears at a concert at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, talking from the stage that her youngest son Diesel (born March 31, 2003) has autism, and also stating that if the diagnosis had been made earlier, the boy could would be of much greater help.
9. John Travolta
Jett, the son of actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston, suffered from autism.
10. Fedor and Svetlana Bondarchuk
The daughter of Fedor and Svetlana Bondarchuk Varvara mostly lives abroad. Barbara was born ahead of schedule, after which the girl began to have developmental problems. In the Bondarchuk family, they do not use such words as illness, and they believe that they are raising a child with developmental disabilities. True, since the adaptation of such children in Russia is difficult, the girl has to spend most of her time abroad. There she studies, there she receives appropriate medical care.
The problem of autism also affected the family of the American actress Holly Robinson Peete- On October 19, 1997, she gave birth to two twin boys, one of whom, Rodney James, was diagnosed with a terrible diagnosis at the age of three.
According to the star, after a period of desperation, she decided to "move from survival tactics to conquest mode." Ten years later, this struggle turned into undoubted success: by now, 15-year-old Rodney has not only learned to express his emotions, but also began to attend a regular comprehensive school.
It is also impossible not to mention that the woman and her husband became the founders of the Holly Rod charitable organization, which studies all kinds of disorders that slow down social development and make communication difficult, in particular, Parkinson's disease.
“We must accept mental health as an integral part of our existence, and stop ignoring the problem of autism because of shame and fear for our reputation ... Delay in taking action can cost your child a part of the life that you can never make up,” Holly is sure .
Son Doug Flutie, an ex-NFL quarterback, developed at a normal pace until the age of two. Later, the boy gradually stopped talking.
Intensive therapy brought its results - soon Doug Flaty Jr. spoke again. Today, the young man actively helps his father at events aimed at raising public awareness of the disease and funding related funds.
“Since my daughter Ava was diagnosed, the incidence of autism in the world has increased by 500%,” says the American actor Aidan Quinn, globally supporting organizations involved in autism research.
Son of the star of The Dukes of Hazzard (1997) and the television series Smallville John Schneider, suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, sometimes called a form of high-functioning (mild) autism. With a high level of intelligence, the boy had to learn all communication skills from scratch.
To the son of the head coach of the Spanish national football team Vicente del Bosque- Alvaro - suffering from Down syndrome - is already 21 years old. Thanks to his light and friendly disposition, he is adored not only by his parents, but by the entire Spanish team, which seems to consider the guy their talisman.
Alvaro is often with his father in training, but he could not go to Euro 2012. Leaving, Vincente promised his son to return with a victory and kept his promise. And to the ceremony of congratulating the national team on receiving a well-deserved champion title young man personally invited by the Prime Minister of Spain.
In numerous interviews, coach del Bosque does not hide his pride in his son and recalls with surprise the times when he and his wife cried because he was not born like everyone else: “How stupid we were!”
Russian actress, singer and TV presenter Evelina Bledans the second time she became a mother on April 1 of this year - her son Semyon was born. Three months after his birth, the 43-year-old star gave a candid interview in which she admitted that her child had Down syndrome.
While the baby develops fully and is no different from his peers. However, newly-made parents are ready for difficulties, and are even going to open a public foundation called "Love without conditions", which would help children with similar disabilities and their parents.
Lolita Milyavskaya did not abandon her daughter Eva (born 1999), having learned that the baby would be born with Down syndrome. Later, according to the artist, doctors changed the diagnosis to autism. Be that as it may, the singer adores her daughter and celebrates her every success with special pride and delight.
It is worth noting that until the age of four the girl could not speak. In addition, she has poor eyesight. But despite this, Eva is currently in the sixth grade, speaks fluent English and is only slightly behind her healthy peers.
Irina Khakamada, head of the Our Choice Interregional Social Solidarity Fund, created it in 2006 to lobby for the interests of people with disabilities of all ages, which she imbued with after the birth of her daughter Maria in 1997.
Not all stars' smiles are happiness smiles, it might just be a smile for the cameras. Sometimes we forget that the rich and famous cry too. And the most painful thing in a person's life is the troubles that touched his child. In the world, every 88th child is born with autism, and 1 in 700 is born with Down syndrome. Terrible statistics, which also include star children.
Colin Farrell 
At first it seemed that Colin's son weighing 3.43 kilograms was born a completely healthy baby, later it turned out that James was suffering from Angelman syndrome. He is developmentally retarded, laughs too much and has disturbed sleep. In addition, sometimes James has seizures. Unfortunately, the disease is extremely rare, which is why it is not well understood and cannot be treated. However, Colin does not consider his son disabled.
“Only once did I remember that my son is a little different from everyone else, that he has some developmental disabilities, something that prevents calling him normal - that was when I saw him next to his peers. But I don’t think about it for a long time, ”says Colin.
Irina Khakamada 
Irina Hokomada, a talented business coach, designer and former politician, also had a daughter with Down syndrome. In addition, the girl was overtaken by another terrible disease - blood leukemia, which she coped with thanks to a course of chemotherapy. Irina devotes a lot of time to her daughter and believes that they are best friends. Also, in 2006, she founded the Our Choice interregional social solidarity fund to help people with disabilities of all ages.
Fedor and Svetlana Bondarchuk
Due to premature birth, the daughter of Fedor and Svetlana Bondarchuk was born with Down syndrome. Basically, Varya lives abroad, where she receives the necessary treatment and education. Svetlana does not lose heart, and in one of the interviews she said: “Yes, we have a child with certain problems, but something terrible can happen to anyone at any moment. Nobody is safe. Living in misery and despondency is wrong.”
Lolita
Initially, doctors diagnosed Lolita's daughter with Down syndrome, then they changed it to a more comforting "autism". Today, the girl is 16 years old, she, despite certain health problems, goes to a regular school and does not lag behind her peers.
“She constantly works with a psychologist, draws, plays music, her breasts began to grow, pimples appeared on her forehead. Fortunately, Eva is not yet interested in boys, but the guys are very interested in her ... My daughter and girlfriend have it, ”Lolita said in an interview.
Konstantin Meladze
Konstantin Meladze's son, Valery, was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old.
“This is not a sentence, this is a shooting, after which you were left to live. This is a serious disease that has not yet been cured. It is being corrected. I'm talking about a severe form of autism. These kids can be trained. I think that parents who are faced with a similar problem are familiar with the feeling of fear, helplessness in the face of grief, and shame. Our society does not accept, does not recognize “others”. But when the first successes appear in a child, hope and faith wake up - and then a new starting point for true victories and bright pride in your child begins, ”says Yana, ex-wife Konstantin Meladze.
A genetic anomaly in the structure of chromosomes can be expressed in different ways. There are very difficult cases, in which a sick person is not capable of almost anything. But a mild form of the disease allows you to maintain a quality lifestyle, as we are convinced by famous people with Down syndrome, about whom it makes sense to talk in more detail.
Regardless of the causes of a chromosomal abnormality leading to a serious illness - Down syndrome, for parents, the birth of a child with such a diagnosis is a real tragedy. It is impossible to cure, congenital pathology will accompany a person all his life. There are only auxiliary methods, thanks to which you can teach the baby to serve himself, to develop elementary skills. With a serious form, hope for more or less quality life do not have to. But if the disease manifests itself in a mild form, then it makes sense to take care of the child from childhood and not give up. Celebrities with Down syndrome are proof that their beloved child with the “child of the Sun” syndrome has a great future ahead of them.
Madeleine Stewart is an Australian model with Down syndrome.
The main action of parents at the birth of a sick child is not to despair. Anyway, new life means happiness. Yes, unlike others, you will have to devote more time to the newborn, but it is worth remembering the golden rule - Down syndrome is not a sentence.
A baby is a blessing from above, for the sake of which it is necessary to live and enjoy this life. Famous people with Down syndrome and their grateful, happy parents repeat this many times. The latter, in turn, reap the fruits of their love and participation in the life of their beloved child and do not regret for a second that their child is a little different from others. Let us recall at least a few outstanding personalities who have reached unprecedented heights in this difficult life.
Famous people with Down syndrome: the disease is not a problem for targeted
Few people know that there is a day when people with the diagnosis we describe are treated with special respect. March 21 is the day of people with Down syndrome, accepted by the world community. Someone will say that there are other dates dedicated to other types of diseases. But the category of Downs includes great people: lawyers, actors, models, athletes, outstanding scientists, philosophers, etc.
Model with Down syndrome - Madeleine from Australia
About a few years ago, young Australian Madeleine Stewart made her debut on the catwalk. Her first appearance caused a mixed reaction - some were delighted, others wondered how the girl with a serious illness managed to achieve such success. The conversations did not have time to subside, as she again conquered the podium already outside her homeland. Mad's career has gone uphill, and there is no reason to stop and grumble at life. And so, the week of the highest fashion in New York was marked not only by a unique show of the leading couturiers of the world, but also by the appearance on the stage of Mud Stuart. The girl pranced along the catwalk in tight leggings, a light top and amazed the audience with grace, ease of movement. It is for this reason that she is trusted to defile in a sports type of clothing, directly associated with lightness and ease.
Sergey Makarov: an actor with Down syndrome received a prize
Another refutation of misconceptions and monstrous myths about this disease is a vivid and instructive example of Sergei Makarov. From childhood he was prepared unenviable fate. It is difficult for Sergey to remember those years when no one wanted to be friends with him, to accept him at school. The worst thing is that the doctors refused to treat the child and, according to them, his life will last up to a maximum of 17 years. It would be interesting to look at the faces of these specialists when Makarov became the movie hero of the year and gained true fame as an excellent actor. This event happened already in 2004, when he, with a congenital ailment, had long crossed the line of a 17-year-old boy. Unfortunately, domestic cinema rarely attracts a talented sunny person, and, apparently, loses a lot.
People with such a disease can manifest themselves brightly in rare cases, so it is necessary, no matter how rude it may sound, to use their individuality and abilities, the extraordinary image.
Russian film actor Sergei Makarov also suffers from Down syndrome
Celebrity Sunshine Kids
A well-known politician and simply a beautiful, smartest woman, Irina Khakamada has always been distinguished by her determination. At the age of 42, she again surprised the public by giving birth to a child at such a respected age. At first, she steadfastly endured the test, her daughter Masha was treated for leukemia. When the disease was over, a couple of years later, Irina visited the premiere of a foreign film with her daughter and everyone saw that Mashenka was suffering from Down syndrome. In the eyes of people, Irina Khakamada has earned even more respect and honor, because in spite of everything, she continues to enjoy life with her children and makes every effort to make them feel maternal love and care.
Iya Sergeevna Savvina: the only joy is a sunny son
The famous actress, the heroine of the film adaptations of great works, Iya Savvina, raised her son with a severe form of Down syndrome all her life. Rumor has it that immediately after the birth of a sick baby, she was persuaded by her own relatives to abandon him. But the actress flatly refused. Savvina made every effort to ensure that Sergei grew up in an atmosphere of love, harmony, and care. Thanks to the efforts of his mother and grandmother, the boy has extraordinary talents: he delightfully plays the piano, knows foreign languages. Despite the national fame, she was afraid that her beloved Seryozha would be difficult to live without her. She dreamed of only one thing - to leave with her son on the same day. Doctors claimed that Seryozha would not live long, but he managed to outlive his mother and cross the 50-year mark, which became amazing fact in the circle of experts.
Important: Sergey is included in the Guinness Book of Records as a person with sun sickness and a long lifespan. According to the stepfather, the son of the actress has a light and kind disposition, always welcoming and in a great mood.
Successful people with Down Syndrome
It is difficult to get world recognition not only for a person with some kind of illness, but also for a completely healthy person. But it's already been done famous actor with a solar diagnosis, Pablo Pineda. The Silver Shell Prize was awarded to him for the best male role in the film Me Too. For Pablo, cinema is not an end in itself, it’s just that the Spanish director noticed his talents. Up to this point, the actor received several diplomas, including in the field of pedagogy, art, teaching. Pineda works in the city municipality, and received from the hands of the mayor of Malaga the important award "Shield of the City".
Pablo Pineda is another successful actor with Down syndrome
Important: Pablo Pineda is the first, and so far the only person to have graduated from a university.
Roni is a youtube star
Famous people with Down syndrome also include the YouTube star, American composer, musician Ronald Jenkins. His parents began to panic after the birth of a sick child and put all their care and love into their beloved child. When Ron was 6 years old, he was given a synthesizer, and surprisingly, he began to play on his own, without the help of teachers. At first, light, uncomplicated melodies were played. A positive thing in Ronald's life is that he always had friends, and no one refused to communicate with him. It was with such friends that he began to play musical group at school, playing without notes. Now Roni is the most famous musician, most listeners consider him a modern genius. Since 2003, he has performed under the name "Wig Cheese" and every new composition posting on the net.
Children of the Sun - public attitude
If we continue to list the most famous people with Down syndrome, then the list will be long. And what is nice, in recent decades, attitudes towards people with such a diagnosis have become an order of magnitude better. Much credit for this modern medicine and the indifferent public, striving not only to alleviate, but also to create all the conditions for the full development of people suffering from pathology. After all, an ailment can affect anyone, because for this the slightest pathology in the structure of chromosomes is enough. The disease has no racial, age boundaries, there are even blacks with Down syndrome, whose photos will convince every reader.
Musician Ronald Jenkins is a real Youtube star
It is important to see a full-fledged child in the baby and devote your life to him. After all, doctors still cannot determine exactly what Down syndrome is - famous people completely refute the assertion that this is a disease, but a truly sunny condition.
