CNN
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What happens if others think that people with Down syndrome can't hit hard, aim high, or drink bad margaritas?
Well, it could become a reality.
A new Down syndrome awareness ad cuts sharply to the philosophical heart of this often misunderstood condition, reminding us that the way we treat people with Down syndrome can break down or reinforce false boundaries. .
For example, the false restriction that adults cannot drink alcohol just because they have Down syndrome.
“Suppose if your hypothetical were to come true, I could drink a margarita. So, since you served me a margarita, I would drink a margarita,” said actress Madison Tevlin. This is mentioned in the currently popular advertisement.
The same goes for living alone, having sex, and any other accomplishments big or small.
“Assuming we can, we might do that,” the meeting concluded.
The ad was created by the Italian Down syndrome organization Cool Down and was released to commemorate World Down Syndrome Awareness Day on March 21st. Its tagline, #AssumeICan, is used to refer to the many assumptions people have about Down syndrome. Their willingness and ability are just assumptions.
Tevlin, a 22-year-old actress who appeared in the ad, spoke to CNN about breaking stereotypes while celebrating the differences people with Down syndrome make.
“When I was born, the doctor told my mother and father that I could not talk, walk, dance, model, act, drink, get married, etc. , I said life was going to be very difficult for me. This is part of normal life,” she said. “And it's a lot of fun to prove people wrong.”
Tevlin, who is involved in the Cool Down campaign through the National Down Syndrome Association, said she's been loving the response to the ad, which has been viewed 160,000 times on YouTube and is setting social media feeds on fire.
“I'm really happy that people look up to me as a role model.”
Other Down syndrome activists and achievers are sharing their own ways of defying stereotypes, like this 17-year-old triathlete. Caleb Prewittor its members hijinx theateran inclusive theater company in Wales.
Down syndrome is a condition caused by an extra partial or complete chromosome. According to the National Down Syndrome Association, one in every 772 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome. It's not disease or suffering, it's just that some people are made that way.
Although Down syndrome causes slight cognitive delays, the NDSS says these problems are typically “mild to moderate” and can affect people's ability to vote, contribute to their communities, and make decisions about their lives. states that it has no effect.
As an actress and an advocate, Tevlin has taken control of her life. She says that overcoming her stereotypes about her Down syndrome allows the whole person to shine through.
“I always say I have Down syndrome, but that's the least interesting thing to me,” she said. “A part of who I am, well, it's not all of me. We should all celebrate each other's differences in our own special and unique ways.”
CNN's Taylor Galgano and Krista Bo contributed to this report.
