Down’s syndrome – Kathleen speaks out on behalf of people with Down’s syndrome
A teenager with Down’s syndrome has addressed the United Nations in Geneva to call for more equality. Kathleen Humberstone spoke out against discrimination during the event marking World Down’s syndrome day on 21 March.
The theme of the 2017 campaign is #MyVoiceMyCommunity which aims to enable people with the condition to be treated equally in all aspects of life.
The 17-year-old travelled from her home in Surrey to Switzerland with her mum Denise and dad Andy to give the talk in front of hundreds of people.
Chromosomes
She began by saying: “Do you know why I am here? Because I have 47 chromosomes. That’s just crazy! Thank you Down’s syndrome!”
Kathleen made her speech at a time when we were hearing about a new test being introduced which allows women to find out more accurately if they’re expecting a Down’s baby. From 2018, the new test will be offered to all pregnant women who have been found through initial screening to have at least a 1 in 150 likelihood of having a Down’s baby.
Referring to the test Kathleen said: “I love everybody. I can’t help it! I hope everybody loves me. I have Down’s syndrome.
Is that so wrong? So, why all this testing? I love my life!”
“My parents didn’t know I had Down’s syndrome, they don’t care about Down’s syndrome. They love me. I have a younger brother, Andy, he is 13, and a younger sister, Jessica, she is 15. They don’t care I have Down’s syndrome. They love me.”
Mum Denise said: “I have mixed emotions. On the one hand I’m incredibly proud of Kathleen. But on the other I feel like I have to show off her every achievement just to remind society that her life is worth living. Whatever happened to unconditional love? When did society decide we should want and love a child only if it is as perfect as medical research allows?”
Before going to Geneva, Kathleen posed for Radical Beauty Project who challenge opinions in the fashion industry by using only models with Down’s syndrome.
“After college, I am planning to live independently. Just like everybody else. My dream is to be a fashion model and maybe, one day, I can do a catwalk in Paris, London, New York, Geneva, anywhere”, she said.
