6 Years Ago Around Now

I still remember getting the phone call from the doctors office.  It was a Friday night and Lisa was out shopping.  I was sitting in the living room on the floor ( I still know the exact spot) playing with my daughter, Lauren.

It went something like this:

• Rich – “hello”
• Caller – “hello, can I speak with Lisa”
• Rich – “she’s not here right now.  Can I take a message?”
• Caller – “can you please tell her the doctor’s office called and her PROCEDURE is set for Tuesday”
• Rich – “Procedure?  What Procedure?”
• Caller – “She’ll KNOW what it is in reference to.  Any questions, ask her to please call us”

At that moment, time stood still.  It was kind of surreal. I was completely caught off guard (if you know me, you know that I’m rarely speechless or caught off guard)

Lisa came home and I told her that the doctor’s office had called.  She asked in regards to what?

I told her, “the doctor said YOUR PROCEDURE is all set for Tuesday”

I have to be honest, I don’t really remember what happened after that. It was kind of a blur.  But I think we both realized that we were in for a LONG next 4 or 5 months.

Time Stood Still

The doctor had ASSUMED that we were going to terminate the pregnancy.  Apparently 90% of the people who find out that they are having a Down Syndrome child terminate the pregnancy.  I have to be honest again, until that phone call, THAT, had NEVER crossed my mind.  That just wasn’t an option.

So we moved on and I can tell you that the next 4 or 5 months, were the most MISERABLE months of our lives!

We met some very nice people along the way, but by and large, we met a medical community that was inconsiderate, uncaring, unattached, judgmental, and in some cases just down right rude!  One doctor in particular, talked about MY SOON TO BE SON, as if he was an object.  If he said the word RETARDED and NORMAL one more time, I wasn’t going to be held responsible for what would happen next.

July 27, 2005

Mattie was born on July 27, 2005.  And it didn’t get easier.

He was born with 2 holes in his heart and baby leukemia.  Doctors were talking about Open Heart surgery in November and there wasn’t a clear understanding about why the platelets in his blood were acting kind of crazy.

So there he stayed in the NICU in Morristown Memorial.  For almost 3 weeks, until one day, his blood count was NORMAL.  The doctor’s were kind of perplexed. They weren’t sure what had happened, but the doctor walked in one day and told us that his blood count was NORMAL.

Imagine that?  A doctor using the word NORMAL about my son!  The doctor told us that people with Down Syndrome are very special in a lot of ways.  Sometimes things happen that the medical community just can’t explain.  And this was one of those times.

There Is Absolutely NOTHING NORMAL or TYPICAL About Mattie

We took Mattie home and our life changed dramatically!

The first years of his life included therapy and blood work every month.  My son would get stuck with a needle every month to check his blood.  I couldn’t do it.  It was to hard for me to watch.  I give Lisa a lot of credit.  She’s a great mom with a strong heart and stomach.

It’s 5 1/2 years since we were BLESSED with Mattie.

• Is it easy?  No, but having any child is not easy
• Do you need patience?  Mattie has his own clock.  There is time and then there is MATTIE TIME (the kid will never have high blood pressure, thank goodness)
• Have we been able to teach him?  Well, actually, I think that we have learned more from him, than he’ll ever learn from us.
• Does he have challenges? Yes, but none that we and he can’t handle.
• Is having a special needs child hard on a family?  I’ll shoot that right back to you and ask if having ANY child is hard on a family?  It’s all about patience and perseverance.  It’s a journey.  Enjoy each day!

I would like to thank the doctor in Morristown for exposing me to the word NORMAL.

The doctor was absolutely correct.  Mattie is not normal, nor is he typical.

You see, Mattie is 5 years old and is responsible for NO LESS than 1 million smiles in his short life.

• Mattie wakes up EVERY DAY with a smile.  Comes down to the top of the stairs (my office is in the basement), squats down and hollers “DADDY”.  I walk up the stairs each time and Mattie turns to Lisa, smiles, and says “DAD HOME!”
• He then makes us hug each other and pick up the cat and hug the cat too!  He then wants a kiss from each of us and then another hug (remember MATTIE TIME) It’s a long process, but boy is it worth it.
• Mattie gets on the bus, all by himself.  Has done it since he was 3.
• Mattie knows everyone at the public school he goes to.  He’s like the mayor.  He makes himself right at home in the Principals office. (smiles)
• Mattie knows all the ladies at our local Curves.  He goes in and starts to use the machines. (smiles)
• Mattie goes to the front of the line at Chester Bagel.  They all know him there (smiles)
• Mattie knows the guys at Chester Meat Market. He loves Lou and the guys love him (smiles)
• Mattie does therapy for his speech on a horse named Lucy on Friday nights.  He seems to have charmed a group of ladies who weren’t sure if he was quite ready for Lucy (imagine that!  More smiles)
• Mattie takes swimming lessons in an Assisted Living home.  His instructor LOVE him (smiles) and the people in the home SMILE REALLY BIG when they see him running down the hall (he’s not supposed to run naturally, don’t tell Lisa)

I could go on and on and on, but I think you get the picture.

Who’s Your Hero?

People go through their entire lifetime without heroes. I’m 48 years old and it took me 43 years to meet my hero.  Mattie is everything that I wish I could be.  He’s smart, friendly, very handsome, sharp as a tack, and most of all he NEVER, EVER judges people.  NEVER!  It’s a characteristic that I wish was contagious.

Mattie is not NORMAL and NOT TYPICAL.  But you know what?  Don’t you think the world would be a better place if there were more NOT NORMAL and NOT TYPICAL people in it?

Happy Down Syndrome Day 2011 Buddy!

Please help us support Down Syndrome Research on Improving The Cognition of People with Down Syndrome – www.researchds.org

Starting, owning, and running a business is a big endeavor.  It’s not to be taken lightly.  You need to invest time, consistency, focus, and yes, money!

Steady Paycheck

I’ve been a business owner for almost 10 years and I would like to say that I’ve LOVED EVERY MOMENT of it!  But that would be a flat out lie!  It’s not easy and there are times when I’ve wanted to just have a steady paycheck.  But then I remind myself, “there is no such thing as a steady paycheck anymore.”  Look at the unemployment rate that’s been hovering close to 10 percent.  Does that lead you to believe that anyone is guaranteed a steady paycheck?

Being A Business Owner

The best thing about being a business owner is that I play a major role in determining my future.  Not the government, not a manager, not another owner of a company.  I play a huge role in what I do and how I make a living.  As do my CUSTOMERS!

I’ve been an Arbonne business owner for almost 2 years.  It’s very different than any other business I’ve ever owned.  The business model is very, very SIMPLE, NOT EASY, but simple.  And it makes a lot of sense.

The potential is unlimited.

• I can work when I want (I like to work, so I work a lot)
• I get to work with people that I like (the team I’m building is awesome and a lot of fun)
• I get to help my team build their businesses ( I like this part the best.  It’s a simple concept.  If they grow their businesses, we both win!)
• I determine my income based on how smart I work my business
• I can leverage my time.  (I get paid based on what I do and what others do)
• Arbonne products are consumable (this means that my customers love the products and will run out.  And order more!)
• Arbonne products have a lot of great ingredients in them (no mineral oils.  check the shampoo in the shower)
• Arbonne offers products for every member of the family.  check out www.richm.myarbonne.com
• I can build a business and leave this business to help my family, especially my son Mattie, when I’m no longer here

The health and wellness trend is really growing.  And Arbonne is at the leading edge of it.  This business has a huge UPSIDE and my business is growing every day!

So is this business for you?

If you think it might be, please contact me or the person who referred you to this website.  We’d be more than happy to help you understand more about the business.  It’s a 30 minute conversation, that may have a huge impact on your life and the lives of others.

To learn more, please download this sheet (it will get you thinking) >>>> Is This Business For You

Not knowing ANYTHING about lipstick, I found this very entertaining.  Go into the

This event on June 14th will be great for a prospect or to help you understand more about the huge potential in the Hispanic market.

Here is a link to the event.  June 14th Long Island Event .  Buena Suerte (Good luck!)

If you’re interested in going, please contact me.  908-507-2151 or rich.mistkowski@proforma.com

The NYC 1/2 Marathon will be held on March 20th.  Research Down Syndrome www.researchds.org is going to sponsor runners to participate in this event.

On March 4th, we will be holding an Arbonne event to help raise awareness and raise money for Down Syndrome Research.  The night will be a Ladies Night out to learn about the benefits of Arbonne products and commissions from any sales that take place will go directly to the Team Mistkowski sponsoring a runner in the NYC 1/2 Marathon on March 20th in NYC.

If you would like to stop by or if you know someone who might be interested in stopping by, please be sure to pass this information along.  The more people who know about Down Syndrome Research, the better off people like my son Mattie will be.

• Event:  Ladies Night Out to Support Down Syndrome Research
• Place:  Fairmount Fire House – Parker Rd, Long Valley NJ 07853
• Contact for Information:   Rich Mistkowski – 908-507-2151  – rich.mistkowski@proforma.com
• Sponsored by:  Arbonne – www.richm.myarbonne.com
• Time:  7:30 PM

The month of December has:

• Christmas
• Hanukkah
• Kwanza
• New Year’s Eve

But being in the marketing and promotions business, I think that anyone can celebrate the TRADITIONAL holidays.  Don’t you want your business to be different?  Don’t you want to NOT blend in?  After all your goals for remembering to send a holiday card or gift is most likely tied to your marketing and sales goals. (I’m sure that you’re a nice person, but let’s face it, we want others to remember our company, product, or service)

So dare to be different.  Stand out and AWAY from the crowd.  Celebrate a different type of holiday with your prospects or customers.

Here are a few opportunities, (from www.brownielocks.com) to celebrate some holidays in December that may just be a tiny bit untraditional:

• National Tie Month
• Bingo’s Birthday Month
• Cookie Cutter Week (1-7)
• Gluten Free Baking Week (14-20)
• It’s About Time Week (25-31)
• Special Education Day (2)
• Bathtub Party Day (5)
• National Cotton Candy Day (7)
• UNICEF Birthday (11)
• Day of The Horse (12)
• Cat Herders Day (15)
• National Re-Gifting Day (17)
• Underdog Day (18)
• Humbug Day (21)
• National Thank You Note Day (26)
• National Whiners Day (26)
• Universal Hour of Peace Day  (31)

My personal favorite is National Chocolate Day (28 & 29) This could be any day at our house!

I think you get the point.  In sales and marketing, we just want to be remembered.  I think it’s great to be remembered all year round.  And these types of holidays are not only fun and educational, but they will help you be remembered for being just a little bit different.  In business, it’s NOT A BAD THING.

Every month, we’re going to share some of these holidays with you.  Give it a great and have some fun with them.  Send a card, a note, a gift, or pick up the phone and wish a prospect, customer, supplier, or employee a Happy UnderDog Day!  I think they’ll remember!

Have fun!

Until recently!

The DSRTF www.dsrtf.org was founded a few years ago and since then tremendous strides have been made on Down Syndrome.  The goal of the DSRTF is to improve the cognitive ability of people with Down Syndrome.  And they are kicking butt!

Scientists at Johns Hopkins and Stamford have made some unbelievable discoveries that may help children and people like my son Mattie in the near future…

What was once thought to be boring has come up with findings about these “miracle people” with Down Syndrome like:

• People with Down Syndrome do not get heart disease
• People with Down Syndrome do not get cancer
• People with Down Syndrome do not get tumors
• People with Down Syndrome do not have strokes

The progress that is being made is truly a miracle.  As of right now the government gives NO MONEY to support this research.  You can learn more about this research and how you can help by going to DSRTF.ORG

If you would like me to come speak with your group, company, organization about this tremendous research, please contact me at 908-507-2151

Every little bit helps!

My son Mattie was born with Down Syndrome.  At 4 years old he has been through a tremendous amount in his lifetime.  But through it all he NEVER loses his PRICELESS smile.  The kid is amazing.

He’s happy, handsome, very smart, and he is healthy.

He was born with 2 holes in his heart and baby leukemia.  Spent the first month of his life in the NICU in Morristown Memorial (they are awesome)  The good news… the holes in his heart have closed and the baby leukemia went away after 6 weeks.  (baby leukemia is a lot different than adult leukemia.  A lot different!)

I’m going to share more and more about the experiences that we have as a family with Mattie over the years, but I can sum it up this way.  My life is much, much more full life because of my son.  He truly is my hero.

Being the dad of a son with Down Syndrome is not easy.  But neither is being the dad of a daughter without Down Syndrome.  Being a parent is challenging, it’s just the challenges are a bit different being the parent of little boy with DS.

I love both of my kids more than anything else in the world.  They each have taught me a lot.  The most IMPORTANT job I have in life is to be a good parent.  If I do NOTHING else right, I want to make sure that I do a good job with my kids.  My wife, Lisa, and I both realize how important this job is!

You’ll hear a lot about Mattie and Lauren over the years.  They’re both “goofy” kids who really live life to the fullest.  I hope they always help me to keep my perspective and not take life too seriously.

The cost of acquiring a customer is an unknown to most businesses.  It’s hard to put a number to it, but it can be expensive.  Let’s take a look at some of the “costs” involved to see if I can make my case:

• Finding a prospect = time, money
• Qualifying a prospect = time, money
• Research on a prospect (may not apply to everyone) = time,money
• Initial communication (remember this could take a while) = time, materials, money
• Follow up with prospect (this could take months/years) = time, material, money
• Continued follow-up = time, materials, money
• Getting an appointment = time,transportation,materials,money
• More follow-up = time,materials,money
• Opportunity = time,materials, money
• Sale?

Do you see the point that I am trying to make?  This process is a very expensive process.  And I would venture to say that MOST businesses don’t have an exact cost for this process.  The exact cost is not important.

The understanding of this process is what’s most important in this example.  Once you understand this process and then put into place a process for NEVER losing a customer once they become a customer, then you’re well on your way.

I would submit, it is MUCH more expensive to GET a customer than it is to KEEP a customer.  Here are some simple and inexpensive ideas:

• A call right after the sale to make sure the NEW or EXISTING customer was thrilled with your service and their purchase. (if they weren’t you’re going to find out anyway, so you might as well take the initiative)
• A simple thank you note after your initial sale.  Handwritten is always a nice touch.
• Add them to your monthly communication plan, via email, phone, or mail.
• Call them monthly or quarterly just to “check in”
• Send them something in the mail or drop it off in person.  A nice promotional product is always nice.
• Be proactive with solutions for your new customer.  If you see an opportunity to save them money or increase their business, let them know.  Nothing bad will ever result from being proactive.
• Ask them for referrals within their company and at other companies.
• Don’t forget that your customer works in a dynamic work enviroment.  Simply put, don’t forget that things change and the person that you are currently working with might NOT always be there.  Develop your relationships at your customer BEYOND your current contact.  This has happened to me in the past.  DON’T MAKE THIS MISTAKE!

It’s a pretty simple concept.  Don’t take your customers for granted and your business will prosper.

What are some ways that you help KEEP your customers

Mattie was born with 2 holes in his heart and baby leukemia.  He’s been poked and prodded repeatedly, but through it all, he never, ever loses his smile.  Sure, there are tears, but very often after he is poked and prodded he can be seen hugging the technician that just drew his blood with a big smile on both faces!

I’ve learned more from Mattie than he’ll ever be able to learn from me in his lifetime.  We have our challenges as a family, but through it all Mattie just keeps on smiling.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Mattie is a big reason for why we are so thankful.  He’s happy, healthy (the holes in his heart have closed & the baby leukemia is gone), handsome, and has taught me the importance being positive about everything.

I received the document below from someone last year and I wanted to share it with you, so that you may get an understanding of the life of someone with Down Syndrome.  If you know someone with Down Syndrome, then you will get it immediately.  If you don’t know someone with Down Syndrome, you’re in for a treat!

Happy Thanksgiving!

———————————————————————————–

Dennis McGuire, PhD, Adult Down Syndrome Center of Lutheran General Hospital – Park Ridge, Illinois

This paper was originally delivered as a plenary address at the conference in Chicago in July of 2005, co-sponsored by the National Down Syndrome Society and the National Association for Down Syndrome. It was well received by the audience, and we have received many requests for a written form of the presentation. In this paper I will try to maintain the spirit and humor of the original.

If I am going to describe what it would be like if people with Down syndrome ruled the world, it may be helpful to explain how I came by this information. I am the Director of Psychosocial services at the Adult Down Syndrome Center in Park Ridge, Illinois, a unique partnership between the National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS), Advocate Medical Group, and Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. Our multidisciplinary team has served the health and psychosocial needs of over 3000 teens and adults with Down syndrome since we started in January of 1992. Our patients have let us into their world, and what a rich and interesting world it is.

Development of the

Adult Down Syndrome Center

Before beginning, let me provide a little history. NADS, as the oldest Down syndrome parent organization in the country, had many members who had teen and adult age children. These families found there were few health or social services available to them. Sheila Hebein, Executive Director of NADS, was determined to develop resources for these individuals and their families. She recruited the Center’s Medical Director, Dr. Brian Chicoine, and myself to help develop and then run the Center, and we continue to have a very close working relationship with NADS.

Why us? Brian had some experience in his medical practice with persons with disabilities, but he also did not have a great deal of contact with people with Down syndrome. One could say I also had led a sheltered life. Sheila’s son, Chris, was probably the first person with Down syndrome I had ever met. Still, Sheila seemed to know this would work. The good thing about our lack of experience was that we were able to listen to the families and the people with Down syndrome without any preconceived ideas, assumptions, or biases.

We learned quickly that the families are the experts with regard to their sons and daughters-because they had to be. We view the information we have gathered from families as a repository of their wisdom. We hope this paper will be helpful to families who are searching for ways to improve the lives of their sons and daughters

————————————————————————-

What would happen if people with DS ruled the world?

If people with Down syndrome ruled the world:

• Affection, hugging and caring for others would make a big comeback.

• Despite the fact that my family was not terribly affectionate, I have had a crash course in hugging at the Center. I am confident that if people with Down syndrome ran the world, everyone would become very accustomed to the joys of hugging. Fortunately for me, I had a head start. My wife is a native of Argentina, and I got some intense exposure to hugging when I landed in her country and found there were 6000 members of her family waiting to be hugged as we got off the plane.

• All people would be encouraged to develop and use their gifts for helping others.

• In our world, too often people with Down syndrome are “DONE FOR” by others, when in fact they are great givers. If they ran the world, their ability to minister to others would not be wasted.

• People would be refreshingly honest and genuine.

• People with Down syndrome are nothing if not straightforward and unpretentious. As the expression goes, “what you see is what you get.” When you say to people with Down syndrome, “You did a good job,” most will answer simply and matter-of-factly, “Yes, I did.”

• We believe, too, that a stuffy high society would probably not do well in the world of Down syndrome.

• However, we believe that BIG dress up dances would flourish. People with Down syndrome love dressing up and dancing at big shindigs. They have a ball, and …can they dance! (and by the way, who needs a date… “Just dance”).

• Most people we have met with Down syndrome also love weddings. This should not be a big surprise. They love getting dressed up, being with family and friends, having good food, and, of course, dancing until the wee hours of the morning. (Many people love it so much, they will chase the band down at the end of the night, begging them to continue.) Perhaps, too, part of the reason they love weddings so much is not just because of the food and dancing, but because in many cases the rules against hugging are temporarily suspended. This may give people a little piece of what I experienced in Argentina. Whoa! Can you imagine what the world would be like with so much affection unleashed?

• People engaged in self talk would be considered thoughtful and creative. Self talk rooms would be reserved in offices and libraries to encourage this practice.

• People with Down syndrome have a reputation for “talking to themselves.” When conducted in a private space, self talk serves many adaptive purposes.

• It is a wonderful means to ponder ideas and to think out loud. It allows people to review events that occurred in the course of their day. It allows people to solve problems by talking themselves through tasks. It allows them to plan for future situations. It is also helpful in allowing people to express feelings and frustrations, particularly if they have difficulty expressing their feelings to others. There is even evidence that athletes who do not have Down syndrome use self talk to motivate themselves. Certainly people without Down syndrome talk to their computer (particularly when it crashes), and likewise many people talk out loud when driving in Chicago. (Of course they may also make odd gestures as well; not recommended if long life is one of your ambitions.)

• Order and Structure would rule

• We have heard that many people with Down syndrome are stubborn and compulsive. Now, I know what many of you are thinking…“Did you really have to bring that up?” I’m sorry, but—we do. What we hear is that quite a few people have nonsensical rituals and routines. They can get stuck on behaviors that can drive family members a little crazy.

• Despite the irritations, there are also many benefits to these “obsessive compulsive tendencies.” We actually have termed these tendencies “Grooves” because people tend to follow fairly set patterns, or “grooves,” in their daily activities.

• What are the benefits of Grooves? Many people with Down syndrome are very careful with their appearance and grooming, which is especially important since they often stand out because of their physical features. Grooves also increase independence because most people are able to complete home and work tasks reliably when these tasks are part of their daily routine. (And while they are not fast … they are very precise.) For many with Down syndrome, grooves serve as a way to relax. Some people repeat a favorite activity in a quiet space, such as writing, drawing, puzzles, needlepoint, etc. Grooves also serve as a clear and unambiguous statement of choice (very important for people with language limitations). This may even be a way for teens with Down syndrome to define their own independence without getting into the same rancorous conflicts with parents as many other teens.

• So given what we know about people with Down syndrome and grooves, how would they use this to run the world? Here is how:

• Schedules and calendars would be followed.

• Trains & planes would run on time.

• Lunch would be at 12:00. Dinner at 6:00.

• Work time would be work time.

• Vacation would be vacation.

• At the Center, our receptionist, Shirley, will often have people at her desk pointing to the clock or their watches. Obviously, she hears about it when we don’t take people back at their appointment time, but she also found that some people refuse to go back early: “Nope I am not going at 9:45, my appointment is at 10:00,” nor does going over into the lunch period work. I am sure all of you have similar stories.

• But there is much, much more:

• People would be expected to keep their promises.

• Last minute changes would be strongly discouraged (if not considered rude and offensive).

• Places would be neat, clean, and organized (not just bedrooms, but cities, countries, the whole world).

• Lost and founds would go out of business (even chaotic appearing rooms have their own sense of order).

• The “grunge look” would be out, way out.

• “Prep” (but not pretentious) would be very big.

• In the world of Down Syndrome, there would be a great deal more tolerance for:

1. Repeating the same phrase or question
2. Use of the terms “fun” and “cleaning” in the same sentence
3. Closing doors or cabinets that are left ajar (even in someone else’s house)
4. Arranging things until they are “Just so.”

• Despite their compulsions and grooves, people with Down syndrome rarely have the really ‘bad habits’ that so many of us have. In fact, out of approximately 3000 people we have seen at the clinic, we have not seen any drug addicts or gamblers and just two alcoholics and a very small number of smokers. However, we think that pop may be a common addiction in the world of Down syndrome, and of course some people are incurable savers and hoarders of just about everything, but especially paper products and writing utensils. Because of this, I could see maybe a Betty Ford Center for pop addicts and extreme paper hoarding.

• The words “hurry” and “fast” would be not be uttered in polite society. “Plenty of time” would take their place.

• At the Center, we frequently hear about pace, or how fast or slow people move. Quite often these issues are discussed in disparaging terms by harried and frustrated family members. In this world, people with Down syndrome have a reputation for having two speeds, slow and slower.

• Therefore, in the world of Down Syndrome:

• Our current mode of dealing with time, also known as the “Rat race” (or rushing around like our hair is on fire), would not survive.

• Here and now would command a great deal more respect than it currently does.

• Stopping to smell the roses would not be just a cliché.

• Work would be revered, no matter what kind, from doing dishes to rocket science.

• We have consistently seen respect and devotion to work by people with Down syndrome. This is such a strong characteristic for many that they don’t want to stay home from work even if feeling ill. Perhaps more importantly, they value any kind of work.

• Therefore, if people with Down syndrome ran the world:

• Speed would be far less important than doing the job right.

• Work would be everyone’s right, not a privilege.

• However, we think there would probably be no work conducted during the time that “Wheel of Fortune” is on TV.

• All instruction would include pictures to aid visual learners.

• Many studies have shown that individuals with Down syndrome have deficits in auditory memory. If they cannot remember verbal instruction, they may be considered oppositional or less competent in school, home, or work environments. Despite this, they have exceptional visual memory-they are visual learners. If they see something once, they can usually repeat it. They also have an exceptional memory for facts and figures of interest (favorite celebrities, movies, music, sports teams, etc).

• If people with Down syndrome ran the world:

• School and work sites would have picture, written, and verbal instructions to accommodate different learning styles.

• Counselors would be able to use visual mediums to help solve problems.

• What About News?

1. Weather would be the only essential news item
2. News would be more local (“A new McDonalds just opened up,” or “A dance tonight,” etc.). After all, what is more important than that?

• What About Bad News?

1. If people with Down syndrome ran the world, would there be wars or murders? We don’t think so! There may be too many McDonalds but definitely not the wars or murders we have in our “civilized societies.”

• What About “Behaviors”…

1. …and terms such as (the ever popular) “Incident reports,” “Outbursts,” “Unprovoked outbursts” (one of our all time favorites), and of course “Non compliance”?

• We believe that in the world of Down Syndrome, anyone writing “incident reports” would have to go through sensitivity training, which would consist of someone following them around writing down everything they did wrong. Brian Chicoine and I both figure that we would have been on major psychotropic medications long ago if we had people writing up incident reports on us.

• We have found that most people with Down syndrome are very sensitive to expressions of anger by others. I imagine they would do all they could to help reduce and solve conflicts between people.

• Therefore if people with DS ran the world:

1. Anger would only be allowed in special sound proof rooms.
2. Trained negotiators would be available to everyone to help deal with any conflicts.

• The word “non compliant” would not be used (except as a very rude comment). It would be replaced by “assertive,” as in “he or she is being assertive today.”

• What About Self Expression?

1. Art and music appreciation would be BIG.
2. People would have time to work on paintings and other art projects.
3. Acting and theatrical arts would be encouraged for all.
4. Dancing
5. You probably would not hear a great deal about exercise, but you may hear a phrase like, “Dancing tonight … absolutely.”
6. The President’s commission on physical fitness would probably recommend dancing at least 3 times per week.

• People would be encouraged to get married several times to have more weddings for more music and dancing.

• Richard Simmons and John Travolta would be national heroes.

• Music

1. Elvis, The Beatles, and the Beach Boys would still be number 1 on the hit parade (Music of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s would be BIG)
2. Musicals would be very, very, very, big (such as “Grease,” and “The Sound of Music”)
3. John Travolta would be the biggest star.

• Television

1. Classic TV hits would be very BIG and take up at least half the TV schedules.
2. “I Love Lucy,” “Happy Days,” “The Three Stooges,” etc. would be very BIG.

• Wrestling would be very Big.

• “Life Goes On” would also be very Big and replayed regularly.

• Movies

1. There would be fewer movies, but they would be replayed over and over.
2. Movie theaters would allow people to talk out loud to tell what happens next.

• No Secret Agents

• People would not hurt the feelings of others and they would also not lie or keep secrets.

• Therefore there probably would be no secret service agents, spies, or terrorists.

The purpose of this article is to give back some of what we have learned to the families and people with Down syndrome who have come to the Adult Down Syndrome Center and who have been so giving and open with us. If people understand more of the special talents people with Down syndrome have, they may be more able to help them use and develop these talents to improve their lives. We also wanted to reassure families of younger children with Down syndrome who are concerned about their child’s future that there is much to be optimistic about.