0:00:09 > 0:00:10Hello, I'm Kate.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19Like 40,000 other people in the UK, I have Down's Syndrome.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26People with Down's Syndrome have one extra chromosome.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29This means we need some extra help.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34And this is the home of a charity who understand
0:00:34 > 0:00:36how to help people with Down's Syndrome.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39They're called the Down's Syndrome Association
0:00:39 > 0:00:40or the DSA.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42I've worked here for years,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44raising awareness about the condition.
0:00:44 > 0:00:50I love working here. I write a blog and edit the magazine.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52We have readers from across the world.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56Thanks to the DSA, attitudes to people with Down's Syndrome,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00have really changed, and the DSA's dedicated
0:01:00 > 0:01:03information officers can change lives, too.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Good afternoon, Down's Syndrome Association.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07The DSA offers specialised support
0:01:07 > 0:01:11to help people live the lives they choose.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20Oh, happy! Can you crack an egg? Eh? Can you crack an egg...?
0:01:20 > 0:01:26Roger is nearly 60 and lives alone, with help from carers, like Sarah.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Now, just break them up...
0:01:28 > 0:01:31When he was young, people with Down's Syndrome weren't always
0:01:31 > 0:01:37given the same chances as I've had to live with some independence.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Roger used to live in a residential care home.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47It can work for some people, but Roger found it difficult.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06What day shall we go?
0:02:06 > 0:02:07What about Thursday?
0:02:07 > 0:02:09No, not Thursday.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14Roger has faced challenges, but now he and his carers have
0:02:14 > 0:02:18the support of the DSA, to help him live more independently.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Do you want to get the train or the bus? Bus. Bus.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27I am sad to hear that people with Down's Syndrome had difficult lives,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31but now the Down's Syndrome Association can help them
0:02:31 > 0:02:32to achieve their dreams.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Roger's carers often turn to the DSA for advice.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43They've helped Roger build a wide network of support
0:02:43 > 0:02:45in his local neighbourhood.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49'What I think is really important is that Roger
0:02:49 > 0:02:52'has a natural support network, cos if you rely totally on staff,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54'they are ultimately paid
0:02:54 > 0:02:55'to be in Roger's life.'
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Thank you, Roger, have a nice day. Thank you.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Just by going to the cafes, local shops, they all know him.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03He's really a part of the local community.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Life for Roger is now very different from his time
0:03:07 > 0:03:09in residential care.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Geometry and fractions and all sorts of things.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29And many of those are visual, which our learners are.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33The DSA helps people through all stages in their lives.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38They have a helpline and also run training sessions,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41like this one, for teachers and parents
0:03:41 > 0:03:46of children with Down's Syndrome starting primary school.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Marie-Claire has used the DSA's services
0:03:50 > 0:03:52since her daughter Lia was born.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Marie-Claire now comes to the DSA to talk about
0:03:55 > 0:03:58what has worked for her family.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05I think knowing that there is an association or a group that is
0:04:05 > 0:04:08fighting on your behalf
0:04:08 > 0:04:10for the rights of your child,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13that is researching and collating
0:04:13 > 0:04:15information on your behalf,
0:04:15 > 0:04:16is so important.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18I think there's always an assumption
0:04:18 > 0:04:21that if you have a child with a disability,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23there are going to be too many problems.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Different doesn't have to be something you fear.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Actually, different can be great
0:04:29 > 0:04:31and we feel very lucky to have her in our family.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34And I mean that.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41The DSA helps people to have a voice...
0:04:42 > 0:04:43..but it takes time.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48And it's fantastic when people do listen to you.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53This is Lucy. Say nut cake.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57She lives in a house with three friends.
0:04:57 > 0:04:58I like it here.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03I have my friends around me, and Claire.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05She is kind to me.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07So, shall we have a look at planning for the week?
0:05:07 > 0:05:11With help from Claire, her care worker, Lucy makes
0:05:11 > 0:05:13the choices she wants.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Going shopping.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18I like shopping.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21I've got my bank card. I remember
0:05:21 > 0:05:25my PIN number in my head...
0:05:25 > 0:05:27to get my money out.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Because my money is important.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33I do my own washing.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37I do my own cleaning in my bedroom.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Lucy's mum has come to visit.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45Their family has always relied on the DSA.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47When she was born, we were given
0:05:47 > 0:05:50really very little information.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53We took her in a carry-cot to Birmingham,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56to the Down's Syndrome Association,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00and that first help that they gave us was vital.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03It changed our whole picture of the future.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06You have the dilemma of wanting, or I did, of wanting Lucy
0:06:06 > 0:06:09to go out there and have as much independence
0:06:09 > 0:06:12as she could, which she's achieving.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18But, also, just as a mum, still feeling protective of her,
0:06:18 > 0:06:19even now.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22The DSA helped Lucy's family believe
0:06:22 > 0:06:25she would have choices in life.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26They backed them up
0:06:26 > 0:06:30when Lucy went to mainstream school.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31She now has a part-time job.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36I work on reception,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39doing the post for other people.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42If someone comes in...
0:06:44 > 0:06:46..and someone is signed in
0:06:46 > 0:06:48and signs the book.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50I like the people there.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51They like me there.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56These days, she really does believe she is listened to,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59and what she has to say has value.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03With support from the DSA,
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Lucy has made a lot of positive changes.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10She has started using technology, to make her life easier.
0:07:14 > 0:07:20The Down's Syndrome Association has helped us right through Lucy's life
0:07:20 > 0:07:24and, at times, we've had to fight for the opportunities that she has.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27It's wonderful to see Lucy more independent.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31It's what we always hoped for her.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33I know I will have to face
0:07:33 > 0:07:36big decisions as I get older,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39but I know I'll have the DSA's support,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42as they have always been there for me.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45The Down's Syndrome Association has already transformed
0:07:45 > 0:07:51thousands of lives, but all of their services cost money and the DSA
0:07:51 > 0:07:54can only carry on with your support.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Please, give what you can,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59and help people with Down's Syndrome
0:07:59 > 0:08:01to achieve their dreams.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03To donate,
0:08:03 > 0:08:05please go to the website,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08bbc.co.uk/lifeline
0:08:08 > 0:08:09To give by phone,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13call 0800 011 011.
0:08:13 > 0:08:14Calls are free
0:08:14 > 0:08:16from mobiles and landlines.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19You can also donate ?10
0:08:19 > 0:08:22by texting SUPPORT to 70121.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Texts cost ?10, plus your
0:08:24 > 0:08:26standard network message charge,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28and the whole ?10 goes to the DSA.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Full terms and conditions
0:08:30 > 0:08:34can be found at bbc.co.uk/lifeline
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Or if you'd like to post a donation,
0:08:36 > 0:08:37please make your cheque payable to
0:08:37 > 0:08:39The Down's Syndrome Association
0:08:39 > 0:08:41and send it to FREEPOST
0:08:41 > 0:08:44BBC LIFELINE APPEAL, writing
0:08:44 > 0:08:45"Down's Syndrome Association"
0:08:45 > 0:08:48on the back of the envelope.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50And if you want the charity to claim
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Gift Aid on your donation,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54please include an e-mail or postal address,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57so that they can send you a Gift Aid form.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58Thank you.