"Down syndrome is not a disease. It’s a genetic disorder with a variety of symptoms"

http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/threadforweavingjoyl.htm


Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
“A Thread for Weaving Joy”
Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life
January 22, 2012
Washington, D.C.


"Down syndrome is not a disease. It’s a genetic disorder with a variety of symptoms. Therapy can ease the burden of those symptoms, but Down syndrome is permanent. There’s no cure. People with Down syndrome have mild to moderate developmental delays. They have low to middling cognitive function. They also tend to have a uniquely Down syndrome “look” – a flat facial profile, almond-shaped eyes, a small nose, short neck, thick stature and a small mouth which often causes the tongue to protrude and interferes with clear speech. People with Down syndrome also tend to have low muscle tone. This can affect their posture, breathing and speech.

Currently about 5,000 children with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year. They join a national Down syndrome population of about 400,000 persons."