Graduation is something many young people look forward to, and that long-awaited diploma often comes after overcoming many challenges. Some leading this scene will enter into history. Marina Gutierrez is one such example. Marina is the first student with Down Syndrome to graduate from higher education in the state of Pará, and just one of only 74 others with Down Syndrome to attend college in Brazil.

Marina began to dream about college when she saw her brother, Fábio, six years older, celebrating the entrance exam. "She also wanted them to break an egg over her head," her mother, Marilia, humorously recalls, referring to veterans' custom in various colleges to greet the freshmen with an "egg-bath." In February of this year, the family celebrated her graduation with a degree in Human Resources Management.  

Marina has fond memories of her time in college, especially of friendship with teachers. Now, in addition to working at her father's company, she wants to pursue other projects, such as her favorite hobbies: makeup and painting courses. 

CHALLENGES

Only in the delivery room did Marina's parents find out that their baby had Down  Syndrome. "It's something that we did not expect, because we did the tests and they did not show anything," recalls Marília. "We were shocked, but we received it very well, thank God. And I went to fight anyway. I thought she would develop, and that I would do anything for that. And that's what happened. "

The fact is that the arrival of a child with Down Syndrome completely changes the plans and routine of the whole family. Marilia says that she and her husband sought help and studied about the syndrome in order to provide Marina with a life like any other child.

When it came time for education, they wanted a school where Marina could attend all basic classes—from literacy to high school. However, Marília reports that "at that time, it was more difficult. Today there are still schools who do not want to accept Down Syndrome students because they do not have experience to provide the instruction necessary.” But in this search, they arrived at the Adventist Institute Grão Pará, in Belém. "I was received by the coordinator. She told me that there was already a student with Down Syndrome. That was a good thing, because it was not new to the school, and they were prepared to welcome my daughter," she says.

Marília points out, however, that the biggest challenge was to enter college, "because there are positive and negative people. I even went to a psychologist who said, 'Why do not you put Marina in technical education? There's so much going on in college!' This was a little discouraging; we were afraid something would happen."

Overcoming

Faced with so many challenges, Marina’s parents see her graduation as an achievement. "I'm very proud of her! And I am very happy knowing that we provided her with all the joys a young woman could want. She debuted, finished her studies, passed a college entrance exam and now she graduated!" says Marília, who defines her daughter as "loving, caring and sensitive."

Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome is the most common genetic variation that exists, occurring in about one in every 700 births. Although science does not understand why, the syndrome is caused by a third copy of chromosome 21 in all or most of an individual's cells. This results in peculiar physical characteristics, a slower rate of psychomotor development and a greater propensity for certain diseases.

The Down Movement team stresses, however, that the syndrome is not is not a disease, and should not be treated as such. It is a genetic condition that requires special care in the individual’s development. People with the syndrome have more similarities with the rest of the population than differences, have great potential for personal, intellectual and social development, and can easily lead an autonomous life.

It is to promote this awareness that World Down Syndrome Day has been established. Its purpose is to contribute to the struggle for inclusion, well-being and equal rights of people with Down Syndrome in society. The date, 21/03 , was chosen by Down Syndrome International, on the initiative of geneticist Stylianos E. Antonarakis of the University of Geneva. It alludes to the third chromosome that occurs in pair 21 of human genetic material, originating the syndrome, and is part of the official calendar of the United Nations.

Story was originally posted on the South American Division’s website