Young Adults With Down's Syndrome Reassure Expectant Parents

Young Adults With Down's Syndrome Reassure Expectant Parents

Young adults with Down's syndrome have made a heartwarming video to reassure parents who are expecting a baby with the same genetic condition with the message: "Your child can be happy. Just like I am. And you'll be happy too."

The film was created by Saatchi & Saatchi for CoorDown - the Italian Coordinator of the National Association of People with Down Syndrome.

The actors involved in the film include Sarah Gordy who has Down's syndrome and who has appeared in BBC1's Call The Midwife.

They each share a comforting message in response to a mum-to-be's concerns.

The video opens with her statement: "On the 9th of February, we received this email from a future mom.

"I'm expecting a baby. I've discovered he has Down syndrome. I'm scared: what kind of life will my child have?"

The film, which has currently been viewed 1.6 million times, then shows a group of young people with Down's syndrome, all of whom address the mother to explain what her child will be able to do.

They say: "Dear future mom, don't be afraid, your child will be able to do many things.

"He'll be able to hug you. He'll be able to run towards you. He'll be able to speak and tell you he loves you."

The participants, who speak in a range of European languages, go on: "He'll be able to go to school, like everybody. He'll be able to learn to write. And he'll be able to write to you."

They conclude: "Sometimes it will be difficult. Very difficult. Almost impossible. But isn't it like that for all mothers?

"Dear future mom, your child can be happy. Just like I am. And you'll be happy too."

Down's syndrome is a genetic condition that causes some level of learning disability and a characteristic range of physical features.

It is one of the most common genetic causes of learning disability and around 750 babies are born with the condition each year in the UK.It is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21 in the baby's cells.

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