Louise Brown was born in 1961. At that time, it was appropriate to describe her as “mentally and physically handicapped” and “a mongoloid child.”
A team of medical professionals predicted that, while therapy and the care she received at home would enable her to reach her full potential, she still would not be able to pronounce her words.
Fast forward to the celebration of her 50th birthday and her father describes her as loquacious, which Louise repeats. Predictions, expectations are just that, and often they are wrong. Click here to see Louise Brown as a child in a governmental film from the 1960’s and to see her when she celebrated her 50th birthday.
absolutely loved (and shared) this video. What a testimony to her parents, who loved and nutured her in an age went most kids with Ds were sent “away”.
My sister, who had Down syndrome, was born in 1954. The expectation was that she would go to an institution. But my parents said no. Why would they do such a thing. They would raise their daughter just as they were raising all their children. That generation of parents were the first to say no to institutionalization. Their fight for education and acceptance was a long and hard one. My sister was a charming, bright, engaging and very wise woman. She had no education until she was 9 years old since public schools did not take those types of children. Had my sister been born today she would be employed and independent I’m sure. But she and my parents were pioneers who eased the way for future generations just as the family depicted in this video. Thanks for sharing the video and the story of these pioneers.
And thank you for your parents blazing the trail that my daughter is thriving walking upon.