Powerful photo series challenges the perception of older people with Down syndrome

There is a persistent stereotype that people with Down syndrome do not live into their senior years, though this has changed significantly over the years. In Canada, life expectancy for those with Down syndrome has more than doubled in the past 40 years—from 25 years in 1983 to over 60 years today. A new campaign from the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) for World Down Syndrome Day today (March 21) addresses this. A series of wonderful portraits by by photographer Hilary Gauld shows older people with Down syndrome—their very existence proof that the assumption is outdated. The photos are simple in format but achieve a number of goals—celebrating the greater longevity, drawing attention to the lack of representation in the media of people over 40 with Down syndrome, and shining a spotlight on the Canadian healthcare system’s growing dependence on unpaid caregivers. The full series of photo is posted at cdss.ca/Here-I-Am, a landing page that includes a link to download a free copy of CDSS Today and Tomorrow: A Guide to Aging with Down Syndrome, created to help people with Down syndrome and their caregivers learn more about the aging process and how to plan for the future. “After photographing Canadians with Down syndrome and their caregivers for almost a decade, adults with Down syndrome over the age of 40 have continued to be the least represented,” said Gauld. “While statistics show that the average life expectancy has increased for people with Down syndrome, the visibility of seniors and elders remains limited.” As they age, people with Down syndrome have a higher risk for health conditions requiring additional care, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Much of the burden for health service falls on family members—Canadians spend 5.7 billion unpaid hours each year on caregiving, with many of them struggling to balance the demands of care and paid work, according to The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence. “As we continue to change the public narrative, this work spreads awareness about Down syndrome. Aging Canadians with Down syndrome and their caregivers should have comprehensive, unbiased information about aging issues, and have access to all of the government support that is available to them,” said Laura LaChance, executive director of CDSS. “No parent should be left asking, ‘Who will provide care for my child once I’m gone?’ This photo essay raises awareness and challenges the stereotype that people with Down syndrome don’t live long lives.”

Powerful photo series challenges the perception of older people with Down syndrome

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