Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Abstract

Down syndrome reveals itself in distinctive facial features that make the condition so recognizable that even people who know nothing about it technically can recognize it. Such ready recognition often creates continuing discomfort for parents who have children with Down syndrome when they are out in public together. Wherever they go, the threat of stares, behind-the-hand whispers, and unkind comments shadow them. Some parents adapt to this threat eventually and do not curtail their social activities. Others, however, withdraw to the safety of predictable environments—their home, local church, and neighborhood shop—hoping with all their hearts that some day soon labels such as “mongoloid” will drop out of society’s vocabulary forever. Happily, looking across the history of society’s attitudes toward people with disabilities shows that remarkable progress has been made toward accepting and integrating people with disabilities. However, studying that same historical record also suggests that it would be “Pollyannish” to assume that labeling and stereotyping die rapidly or easily.