"This single volume will do more to change stereotypes about Down syndrome than any book I have read. These two young men steal our hearts and wash away generations of misconceptions."--Mary L. Coleman, MD, Emeritus, Georgetown University

At ages nineteen and twenty-two, respectively, Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz shared their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship?and their experiences growing up with Down syndrome. Their frank discussion of what mattered most in their lives?careers, friendships, school, sex, marriage, finances, politics, and independence?earned them numerous national awards, including the EDI Award from the National Easter Seal Society. In Count Us In, reissued here with a new afterword by the authors that recounts their successes and challenges as adults, Jason and Mitchell’s wit, intelligence, candor, and charm make a powerful and inspirational statement about the full potential of people with developmental disabilities.

JASON KINGSLEY graduated from high school in 1994. A television actor, he has received many awards recognizing his contributions toward better understanding and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. He lives in Hartsdale, New York.

MITCHELL LEVITZ works as a disabilities specialist for the Westchester Institute for Human Development and the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. He serves on the board of directors of the National Down Syndrome Society. He lives in Cortlandt Manor, New York.

About This Book: "Every Single One Counts"

Jason: I hope a lot of people will read this book. They will learn that people with Down syndrome can share the same feelings as disabled and nondisabled kids.

And in the time line of history in 1993 it will say: "Jason and Mitchell wrote a book!"

March '91

Jason: But there's a problem about this book here. That some people may not read this book.

Emily: Yes, I certainly wish that everybody would read this book!

Jason: You mean to tell me that the Persian Gulf guys, that Saddam Hussein should read this book?

Emily: I think it would be nice if everybody in the whole world would read this book — but I don't think that's too realistic. I doubt that Saddam Hussein will ever read this book. But that's okay. If a lot of people here in the United States read it, that will make me very happy.

Jason: And the president? And the news?

Emily: That would be nice.

Jason: People would understand more about people like me with Down syndrome who have this problem. I really wish Down syndrome would be on the news. They could tell us news about Down syndrome on television. Like: "And now the news! A Down syndrome is someone who was born with an extra chromosome. A Down syndrome kid can be special in the normal outside world with everybody else. They can live in a regular house and work in a regular school and work in a regular job. 'Cause they're just like everybody else — except different because they have Down syndrome. That's very different because when you have Down syndrome your learning might be slow. That's your disability. Sometimes it's a big disability that they have."

The commercials. The commercials should know about Down syndrome, too. People with Down syndrome and sometimes people without Down syndrome should be in the commercials. And they will read: "The best part of waking up is Down syndrome Folgers in your cup!" "We're all connected — Down syndrome Telephone!" "Buckle up with Down syndrome — it's the law!" "Get Down syndrome — it's the real thing!" "Get Down syndrome — don't leave home without it!"

Mitchell: I think I have a perfect title for this book. I think we should name this book The Successful Story of Having Down Syndrome.

May '92

Mitchell: I want all people to read this book so they can understand the perspectives of two young adults who have Down syndrome ... so that they can understand the same situations that we were involved in.

Jason: I think this book can accomplish by teaching how people with disabilities and people not with disabilities can learn more and be more understanding about us because we also are a part of life. They will understand how it is to be ourselves and how it is to be themselves. To feel a part of this whole life ...

They can change their views when they're thinking about people with disabilities and with Down syndrome. They thought before that we never can be understanding, and they are insulting us that we are not smart than anyone else. Now when they read this book they'll change and they'll think about the good parts of life can lead us into a good happy life.

There are parts of life that you have to deal with. Social life: You have to associate with others like go to parties together, hang around. Lovelife: like you and your girlfriend. Family life is having your family and independence. And fun life is to be joyful and playful. All that is lead up to a big world of life.

And another part of life is your disabled life. Your disabled life is what you see in yourself, what you're accomplishing even though you have a disability and pain. What you're accomplishing by doing the best you could.

Mitchell: And living independently is another part of the success. By living independently away from your parents is important so you could realize the important part of the other life. The other life is living on your own and taking responsibility for yourself. By taking responsibilities for yourself is a new meaning of life to the next stage. You're taking your life farther. Toward the future.

And my future, not only to live independently ... for my future is to live my life the way I want to be instead of being told how I should live my life, either by my parents or by the people I live with. They are not the ones to tell me how should I run my life. Because I feel it is my decision to make. Nobody else's. Because that's another part of the success, by dictating to people the way you want your life. By taking the initiative and the responsibilities yourself instead of people telling you this is your life, this is the way you have to live it. It's not.

Part of life is you deal with situations yourself. Because we put ourself in situations, we have to take ourselves out of situations. Even with the support of family and community and loved ones as well.

Jason: And making decisions is part of your own life, too. Decisions of your disabled life. That means you're deciding the things you're trying to accomplish and doing the best you could.

I could change my disabled life with Down syndrome by doing the best that I can do and to teach people how they would understand because it might be difficult with a disability because you may be very slow.

Down syndrome is a part of your disabled life. Even though you have the pain and you want the pain stopped, you still have it. All you have to do is lift up your anxieties and do all the good parts of your life. ... All you have to do is live with it. Even though you have the pain, but work things out to make it a good one.

I realize from there [that] I really want to have Down syndrome because I would be missing some good things about my disabled life ... about special ed, your parents, how does it affect your girlfriend, your lovelife, and now you want to have this disability. Because you can keep doing a lot of stuff and enjoy the good things to have some fun in your life. Be passionate of your life. Even if you have Down syndrome.

Mitchell: If I cannot change my disability, I would deal with it in any case because I know for sure that nobody can change their disability. It will be a difficult process...