HOMEPAGE

DISABILITIES

By Daniel J. Vance

Charisse is not her real name. She is well spoken, married, has a teenage son, and at age 44 is buying a home.

"I also like doing jigsaw puzzles, oil painting by numbers and word puzzles," she recently said over the telephone. "When Im with my friends I like to watch scary movies, talk, and play foosball. Some of my friends like playing gin rummy and darts."

Charisse was born with Down syndrome, which is caused by a defective cell division that creates three No. 21 chromosomes in an embryo instead of two. It is the most frequently noted cause of mental retardation. About 350,000 Americans have it.

Growing up, she sometimes faced classmates' taunts. "I got along with the kids at school as long as they didn't call me names, such as 'cow face' or baby kaboom,'" she said. "I didn't fist fight with anyone, though."

In high school she especially enjoyed learning American Civil War history.

In 2000, she returned to the workplace with the help of MRCI Workforce, a provider of community-based, supported employment for people with disabilities. "To keep my medical assistance I had to be working," she said. "We do such things as factory work or packaging stationery or packaging cans of chicken. I've also worked in a shop and had a job doing laundry. I'm glad I went back to work. I like being around people. Work gives me a great social outlet."

Throughout life she has faced a number of physical problems that have required surgery. When she was younger, for instance, doctors removed a small leg tumor.

As for her son, she said, "He has ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). He's a super-neat kid as long as he doesn't get mad at me. He's a typical 15 year old." ADHD affects about two million U.S. children. They often struggle greatly with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Charisse also loves her dog and her niece's cat. She said she likes the cat only because her dog does. "They run around the house and enjoy playing," she said. "The cat comes flying past me, then the dog comes flying past."

Overall, she lives a rather "normal" life.

As for people making fun of her because of her disability, she said, "A person shouldn't be put down for having Down syndrome. In fact, nobody should be put down for any disability."

For more, see www.danieljvance.com or www.nih.gov