Comments on: Adopted Family Helps Man, 70, Become Oldest With Down Syndrome http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/02/08/oldest-man-down-syndrome/6935/ Developmental Disability News Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:55:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: twinkie1cat http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/02/08/oldest-man-down-syndrome/6935/comment-page-1/#comment-1172 twinkie1cat Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:05:08 +0000 http://www.disabilityscoop.com/?p=6935#comment-1172 This is remarkable indeed. NOt many years ago, the life span of a person with Downs was thought to be about 10 years. Parents were told to institutionalize their children and forget them. This is remarkable indeed. NOt many years ago, the life span of a person with Downs was thought to be about 10 years. Parents were told to institutionalize their children and forget them.

]]> By: adaptmt http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/02/08/oldest-man-down-syndrome/6935/comment-page-1/#comment-1168 adaptmt Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:56:13 +0000 http://www.disabilityscoop.com/?p=6935#comment-1168 Please, please, please don't equate a 70 year old man with child....it is disrespectful. Using language like "... He's just one of the kids" and "...has the mental abilities of a toddler" only serves to perpetuate the stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities as being "childlike," thereby rationalizing their being treated like babies, or as incompetent. A 70 year old gentleman with an intellectual disability is a 70 year old gentleman, worthy of being treated as an elder, not a child. Congratulations to Edgar on his longevity, and to his "family" for helping to make it possible! Thanks, Marsha Katz Please, please, please don’t equate a 70 year old man with child….it is disrespectful. Using language like “… He’s just one of the kids” and “…has the mental abilities of a toddler” only serves to perpetuate the stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities as being “childlike,” thereby rationalizing their being treated like babies, or as incompetent. A 70 year old gentleman with an intellectual disability is a 70 year old gentleman, worthy of being treated as an elder, not a child.

Congratulations to Edgar on his longevity, and to his “family” for helping to make it possible!

Thanks,

Marsha Katz

]]>