An end to stereotypes
Stephanie Papaleo talks about growing up and challenging herself to do things that she didn’t know how to do.
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When I was three years old I started talking with ABBA music. My mother did not know that I could sing, but I knew all the words by heart, and sang them for 24 hours every day over and over.
My mum’s side of the family comes from an Italian background. I spoke Italian to my grandparents when I was a child (because they did not understand English). Some people may not know that I speak two languages, but I can.
When I was at school, I learnt lots of things, speaking Italian, learning how to sing and dance, learning about religious backgrounds, acting, etc.
Now that I’m an adult, I’m challenging myself to do things that I didn’t know how to do. For example, at my job at Down Syndrome Victoria, Zoe (my supervisor), taught me to create animated videos on PowToon, and I also regularly update the DSV website with Lucy.
I am also a personal assistant to our CEO, which includes tasks like organising events with other DSV staff, hosting staff monthly meetings, and creating articles for the DSV website.
When I was a child, it was very different to now, because people did not know what people with Down syndrome could achieve.
My whole family believed that I could do things that I did not know how to do, and that has always been important for me, (as my mum would say, you are a role model for people with Down syndrome). Having people believe in me has helped me achieve my goals.
Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to stereotype other people, e.g. why did you become blonde or actually blondes have ‘lots more fun’. Believing in people as individuals will help people be the best they can be.
Download the full digital edition of Voice here.
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