I help people with mental/physical disabilities do activities around town and I noticed that some people are disturbed when they see us. Is it unsettling for you to see someone with down syndrome? (Honesty appreciated)
by 
PillowEatsBear
ANSWERS: 17
-
Not me but I do find my cousin are disrubed not because they are disgusted by thrm but because of the immense sympathy they have for them. Some people see them and automatically become depressed because they picture their life so some just grow a colder side and give you those disturbed looks to mask their empathy and pain for them.
-
No, but my best friend's little sister had Downs and I became habituated to it. The issue is that we make it unsettling by removing these people from civil society by placing them in isolation. So much so that many people can go a long time without ever having to acknowledge in an immediately personal way that such persons actually do exist outside of television. This is a deliberate construct of our society in an effort to sanitize it - to remove from it what we consider to be "blemishes" so that it might appear as perfect as possible.
-
No. I wouldn't be disturbed but it wouldn't mean that I'm not going to stare rudely even though I don't intend it. I'm rather interested more than unsettled. I dont have a close friend who is disabilitated so it is unique to me and I'm curious of the behaviour and such.
-
Not me. But maybe you're just noticing surprise. Some people can't help but show their surprise after all a lot of people don't see people with mental/physical disabilities on a daily basis.
-
No, it isn't for me. When I see people with disabilities two things cross my mind: how sad and boy am I grateful that isn't me or a close relative. I'm sure both of those feelngs show up on my face and it probably looks as though I'm disturbed. Maybe that is what you are noticing on other's faces.
-
No, I don't, but I was at the coffee shop on a few occasions when a group of mentally disabled kids/teens came in with two caregivers. The younger ones were very excited about getting a treat, but very well behaved. Only once did I notice a man who seemed put out by the whole thing, he started to mumble to his partner, but he seemed like it wouldn't take much of anything for him to feel disturbed anyway.
-
People with Down Syndrome get paid simply for having it. I am not saying that I would want Down Syndrome, but you aren't pressured to work for the ruling class if you do have it. I would use that opportunity to research how to best dispose of my labor for utilitarian ends.
-
I never know what is acceptable behavior, should I acknowledge them or not? It's the same situation when I deal with someone in a wheelchair.
-
i got a little brother who has physical disablities and i have been in close proximity with people with mental disabillities for long periods of time and its not a big deaal for me at all. I usually try to figure out what they have, but its all learning for me. They are normal people jsut special, so i like to see how they react to the world around them. And for down syndrome, some of the funniest and the sweetest kids i have known were those that had down syndrome. They really are awesome people.
-
It is disturbing, just like a cat with an extra leg, or a dog with a missing eye. Just because we are humans does not mean we dont get taken aback by other that have something wrong with them. Animals will kill off or eat their young if they suspect abnormalities. My horses beat the shit outta my white horse just because he is albino. So a person's FIRST reaction is discomfort. But then the person in you kicks in and you feel bad for the disabled person.
-
No, but I do feel akward, because I SOO do not want to offend.
-
Not at all, I worked with the developmentally disabled for 12 years, it was a very rewarding career.
-
I did your job for 14 years and I can understand what you are talking about.The more community inclusion you do the better.It helps to desensitize people when they see something more often.Is the agency you work for doing any community related events?Do you have an open house at your agency inviting the public in?Do you volunteer with your clients in community events?If someone has serious issues just because they see someone with disabilities there most likly is not much you can do.That is thier loss.......Ripple
-
I don't know why anyone would be disturbed by people with Down's Syndrome. Keep up the good work.
-
No. I see people with Down Syndrome many times. Some work at the local supermarket. It is not disturbing to me at all.
-
It doesnt disturb me at all. There is a lot of ignorance around though I'm afraid. We all fear things different that we are not used to. Some people may have just not seen the specific psysical characteristics of some of the clients you work with before.
-
I realize that this is going to sound messed up of me to say but I have this horrible disease called blatent honestly so... here goes nothing. For most of my life... I was afraid of people with down syndrome. A legitimate fear because when I was a little girl, only about 4 or 5, a much older, bigger girl with down syndrome took and stole my muff from me and almost choked me to death with the strings when I tried to take it back. *Go ahead... laugh. I can now too... In those days... everyone said stupid ignorant things about just about everything they didn't understand. I was always told, after that happened, that down syndrome people are extremely strong and could and would hurt you if you made them angry, that just about anything could make them angry and that they were all therefore very dangerous. That was my mothers 1960's ignorant fear talking. I don't have that fear anymore and I feel very comfortable interacting with them now. But for most of my life... I was terrified of them.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC