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My name is Anthony Padilla
and I spent a day with people with Down syndrome.
We'll hear how bullying
and use of the R word has impacted them to this day
and how a drive to live fully enriched
lives has resulted in independence, romantic relationships,
and even starring in a major feature film.
By the end of this video, we'll find out if living with this disorder
has led them down a thriving path of love
and self-acceptance or if the harsh judgments
and assumptions forced upon them have broken their hearts
and pushed them to feel isolated from the rest of society.
[music]
Hello, Kennedy.
Hi.
[music]
Matthew.
Hello.
[music]
Zack.
Hey.
[music]
Can you define what Down syndrome is?
Down syndrome is the most common genetic disorder.
Down syndrome affects the third copy of the 21st chromosome
and affects 1 out of 700 babies.
How does Down syndrome affect you personally?
For me, it takes longer to to do and learn things.
I work at a slower pace.
People with Down syndrome prefer to have more of a routine.
What are some of the ways that Down syndrome
has affected the way you look?
Smaller bridge on the nose, short neck, almond-shaped eyes,
and a single crease in the palms.
One crease right here instead of two?
Yes.
The cool thing is that these traits help us identify each other.
When you see someone else that has these traits,
do you feel like you're part of a secret club with them?
I think so. [chuckles]
Since we wear our diagnosis on our face,
people tend to have low expectations until they get to fully know us.
Do you remember when you first discovered that you have Down syndrome?
I was seven.
My mom walked up to me and she said, "You have Down syndrome."
The first time but then in first grade, I repeated first grade.
My mom, she told me before I was three years old.
Do you remember what you thought
when your mom told you that you have Down syndrome?
I was so scared.
I was so anxious to have--
That I have Down syndrome.
My mom just keeps saying that word in my head.
That gets me really uncomfortable.
In middle school, I knew I had Down syndrome but I didn't know
how it truly affected me until freshman year.
I have a friend and I kept talking to her in the hallway
building everything out on her and she helped me through.
What do you think is the most difficult thing
for you to do in your daily life?
To find better jobs.
Most people doesn't feel like to hire a Down syndrome person.
Transportation.
People with Down syndrome tend to rely
on their caregivers for transportation.
People with Down syndrome have a slower mentality,
so I don't want to risk in crashing.
[music]
Have you ever been bullied for having Down syndrome?
No.
I think that's partially
because I've been fully included in the school system.
They usually pick on me and take off my glasses
and stomp it in and just break it.
They are not very nice people.
"Shut up" or "retarded"
and "oh, he's always wearing a hearing aid or wearing glasses."
For me, it eats my stomach and they don't apologize to me.
I was trying to be their friends and they didn't go for respect.
That must be heartbreaking.
You were trying to be their friend
and then they disrespected you like that.
Yes.
Did you try to report it?
Did you try to do anything about it?
I always go for teachers and principal
and they did not solve the problem.
They always have something [?] I don't get
any of the respect from them at all.
If they won't be your friends, just do it without them.
Just keep on going forward.
You keep going forward toward a happy place,
you don't get caught up in the past
and your memories and what things used to be like,
you keep your sights forward?
Oh, yes.
How do you feel when people use the R word?
It's really hurtful because ever since I was in middle school
always some people are bullying me, they said, "You're retarded."
"No, do not say the R word. Change that to respect."
I think that word is a no-go word.
It basically implies that people with any intellectual
and developmental disability are stupid.
The truth is that we and I are not stupid.
Anja wants to know how you feel about the assumption
that people with Down syndrome are always happy.
We have the same emotions and feelings as everyone else.
We're happy, we're sad, we're excited, we have our off days.
I get sad, I get angry, I get mad, and when I get hangry--
Because I eat.
Did you ever feel like you had to try to fit in with other neurotypical kids?
At first, in freshman year,
I felt isolated and jealous of what everyone has.
These people are just doing stuff that I wish I could do.
Pursuing a higher level of education doing more,
pursuing a career, and I felt like I couldn't have that.
Do you think that you were jealous of the fact
that people could do those things
or do you think that you are more jealous of the fact
that those things seem to come easier for other people?
More naturally, and it felt that I wanted to do more.
I felt like I wanted to be like them.
How has your perception of yourself changed from when you were younger?
Totally.
Have confidence and plenty of friends and they always support me.
I have a very strong network of friends with Down syndrome
and a really good network of friends that don't have disabilities.
I have a very strong commitment in wanting to do more.
I always say that I want to be a better person
than I was the day before.
How much independence do you have in your daily life?
I just do my own things.
I make my own stuff like money.
I made more money than my mom last year.
How does that make you feel knowing
that you made more money than your mom last year?
Freaking awesome.
[laughter]
My life is good because for me I always have apartments.
You live completely independently?
Yes.
How long you've had that apartment?
15 years.
I do like living by myself.
My middle brother and I just moved out
on our own together in an apartment.
I have now independence.
Do you remember the feeling of when you got those keys
for the first time that this was your place?
It felt awesome.
It felt like a renewed person.
It felt like I was Matthew 2.0.
Matthew 2.0, what's up.
[music]
Some people might assume that people with Down syndrome can't
or don't have romantic relationships.
Are you currently in a relationship?
Yes.
I want to live in Malibu when I get married to my boyfriend
and [?] because I need someone to live with.
Who do you think that person might be?
My boyfriend.
[laughter]
We started developing the relationship in December of 2013
and I just loved her ever since.
She and I have been doing a lot of stuff
together to further our relationship, in fact,
it was actually her idea and she wants to Dancing with the Stars.
I was like "Wait a minute, I can see myself doing that with you."
The first day we got in, we just learned the basics,
and then she and I just fell in love with it.
We were addicted to ballroom dancing and over a year later,
we've done two showcases.
I can't believe people underestimate you.
I don't know anyone that could ballroom dance, to be honest.
I don't know anyone who can.
[music]
You said you want to have kids
but then there's some things holding you up?
I considered that in freshman year
in high school where you have to do that baby project
and I regretted doing that.
[laughter]
It's just too much because the baby would have Down syndrome
because of our genetics including our Down syndrome genetics
pass down to the child and they'll be the same deficit.
It would be tough for you with limitations
to help a child with limitations?
Yes, and then I can't do that
without adding stain to my parents.
[music]
What are some of your passions?
Dancing [?] since I was five years old.
I know how to learn to dance a lot sometimes but it's really cool.
Theater is part of my passion.
To show the people just how I would become a pretty good actor,
I always go through that script,
I always remember all the people's lines.
You knew everyone's lines?
Yes, everything.
[laughs] You act like that's easy.
You know that's not easy for people to do, right?
I know yes.
If someone else forgot their line, would you say, "I know it."
I would say "Monkey uncle."
I want to say, "Hey. Hey, please don't do that."
Then I would say, "Oh, I am a jerk."
I was asking you what you would say when they needed help,
and you literally pulled the line out from 20 years ago,
and you said verbatim what you would say to help them with their line.
Why, because I always end up being--
I'm smart.
I always keep on reading and reading, I just got it.
So humble, our humble king.
Oh, yes, the humble king.
[laughs]
[music]
You have multiple jobs, is that right?
I'm an entrepreneur.
I have a public speaking business.
With that, I was able to do a TEDx Talk.
The others are more part-time.
I work out 321 Coffee,
a coffee shop where individuals with IDD run the coffee shop.
We do everything.
People with disabilities often hear the word "No,"
because they immediately assume that we're too slow in doing stuff,
but in truth, we're not slow.
Consider hiring us because really,
studies prove that we are valuable,
we are punctual, we're loyal, and reliable.
Do you feel like you are representing the Down syndrome community
whenever you're out there entertaining,
starring in a movie with A-list actors?
Before we continue learning about the world of Down syndrome.
I don't get a stutter at all.
I always keep on reading my script.
I want to let you in on a little secret.
Come here.
We have a couple other episodes that you might be interested
in like I spent a day with autistic people,
people with Tourette syndrome, and people with schizophrenia,
all of which are available here,
but also on the uncensored podcast version of this show.
While you're here,
I'd also like to thank you for sitting through these sponsor segments,
because without them,
many of these episodes wouldn't be possible,
so huge thank you to Purple for continuing to sponsor
and support this series.
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with my face smashed down and my neck completely massacred,
but not with Purple.
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We're just getting started because I'd also like to thank DoorDash
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Subject to change, terms apply, so be quick and nimble, please.
Now back to the world of Down syndrome.
Do you feel like you are representing the Down syndrome
community whenever you're out there entertaining,
starring in a movie with A-list actors?
Yes, I am.
For me, it's about one thing.
Be yourself.
Does acting help or change you in any way?
I would say about my acting,
I don't get a stutter at all.
I always keep on reading my script.
You only stutter when you don't quite know what you're going to say next
and you're trying to process the information,
but when you know exactly what you're going to say with a script,
you can just say it straight through?
Oh, yes.
Juliet, Juliet, Juliet.
My love.
Juliet.
My love.
Is that the scene in Romeo and Juliet where Romeo dies?
Yes.
I know everything about my lines.
[music]
What is it about having Down syndrome that brings you the most joy?
I just love myself because I want to be a really cool independent woman.
Sometimes I get pretty happy when I'm different and I always say,
I'm glad to be different.
Down syndrome is a gift.
It feels like an added part to my life.
If there's anyone watching who has Down syndrome
and is struggling to fit in or to be understood,
is there anything that you want to say to them?
Be strong, be brave, and be fearless, and be capable to be independent.
You can do it.
Talk to your parents and find ways to help each other out.
If you're an adult,
advocate to your parents that you want to do more stuff
and that will prompt your parents to give you
or find any necessary resources.
All right, you got five seconds to shout out
or promote anything you want directly in the camera.
Go.
Please visit matthewschwabspeaks.com
if you want to purchase my merchandise,
recommend me for speaking engagements,
or book me for any speaking engagements.
I am in the At Last ON HBO Max.
God Save the Queens.
Follow me on my social medias [?] follow me on Instagram,
TikTok, Facebook.
I encourage all of you guys to watch Anthony Padilla.
All of his videos are awesome.
Well, there you have it.
I spent a day with people with Down syndrome
and I realized how much I could learn about effortless self-compassion
and focusing forward rather than focusing on hurtful memories of the past.
If we could find a way to truly absorb these lessons,
maybe we could experience more of what life really has to offer.
[music]
My mom walked up to me and she said, "You have Down syndrome."
She just walked up to you and told you?
Then I said, I was like, "Wow."
Then the other time, my mom knocked at my door and said,
"Clean your room, Kennedy,"
and I said, "No, thanks, I have Down syndrome."
[laughter]
You found a way to make it a good excuse not to clean your room.