Any big sister would feel proud of a younger sibling who picks up a book and reads for the first time. But when Daniela Roeder's little brother, Alex, said it was his turn to read to her, she felt exceptionally pleased. For Alex, the milestone of reading underscores his incredible determination and his unlimited potential to achieve anything he wants despite being born with Down syndrome.
Inspired by her litter brother, the 21-year-old Hollywood resident has taken it upon herself to become an advocate for individuals living with Down syndrome, a disability she doesn't even recognize in Alex anymore. He is simply her little brother. And in an effort to make others feel the same way about people living with the disability, Roeder started volunteering at the Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization, which strives to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome by helping them reach their full potential by providing family support, education and social activities, according to its website.
In the 11 years Roeder has volunteered for the organization, she has planned and participated in dozens of events and fundraisers to increase awareness about individuals with Down syndrome and to improve the lives of families and individuals living with the disability. While many young adults her age are consumed with their personal social life, Roeder now sits on the board of directors with her mother so that people with Down syndrome can live fuller, richer lives.
“I thought that volunteering would help me understand my brother's disability better and understand him better,” Roeder said. “And it did. These events raise awareness and help people accept individuals with Down syndrome for who they are.”
Named after John Langdon Down, the first physician to identify the syndrome, Down syndrome is the most frequent genetic cause of mild to moderate mental retardation and associated medical problems and occurs in one out of every 691 live births in all races and economic groups, according to the National Association for Down Syndrome. It is a chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an additional third chromosome 21 or “trisomy 21” and that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. The association points out, however, that individuals with Down syndrome are more like others than they are different.
Roeder wants the community to understand that individuals born with Down syndrome deserve love and respect just like any other human being, and she said it's organizations like Gold Coast that help make that possible.
Gold Coast hosts a series of events to give individuals with Down syndrome the opportunity to interact with other people and families in their same situation. The organization, for example, hosts the Buddy Walk each year on Hollywood Beach and hosts workshops designed to educate families on ways to improve and fulfill the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Roeder loves being a part of this.
“I know I can't change the world and I can't change society, but we can teach Alex how to adapt to society,” she said, noting that she and her family teach Alex to accept who he is. “He's a blessing in our lives.”
Roeder's little sister, Arianna, has also taken it upon herself to educate people about Down syndrome in her own way. Roeder said that when children were teasing Alex because of his slow speech, 4-year-old Arianna told them his slow speech was a result of his Down syndrome and they shouldn't bother him about it.
In addition to volunteering at Gold Coast, Roeder also started a theater program at South Broward High School that incorporates children with disabilities into the production. She enlisted the help of 10 children in special needs programs for the “Wizard of Oz” play she directed her senior year of high school. For her efforts, the “Miami Herald” presented her with a Silver Knight Award, which acknowledges 15 students from all over Broward County as leaders and contributors to society. The Silver Knight Awards program recognizes students who have not only maintained good grades but who also unselfishly apply their special knowledge and talents to contribute significant service to their school and community. Roeder said winning the award, as well as having the school incorporate her initiative into its curriculum for the last four years, is the most heart-warming thing to her. And her brother and his sparkling personality inspired it all.
“He's such an inspiration,” she said. “He doesn't let his disability defeat him, and he puts so much effort into everything he does. People with Down syndrome are beautiful, and we can all learn from them.”
For more information about the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization and upcoming events, visit www.bgcdownsyndrome.org.
...