Kristina Kelly not letting Down Syndrome stop her

Despite being born with a condition that some might consider debilitating, Kristina Kelly has never allowed Down Syndrome to deter her from pursuing her goals.

On this World Down Syndrome Day, Kelly, who is the first person with the disability to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Jamaica Down Syndrome Foundation, embodies the day's theme 'End the Stereotype'. Down Syndrome is a genetic condition used to describe persons born with an extra chromosome; they have 47 instead of 46. As a result, the condition affects how their brain and body develop resulting in a unique appearance and learning challenges.

Still, Kelly, who is one of 13 children, is able to care for herself and has travelled overseas on her own. The 32-year-old told THE STAR that she has a passion for helping those around her and looks forward to making a continuous impact as a director of the foundation.

"I love helping other children live their life and helping them with what they need...working with them and sharing with them," said the soft-spoken Kelly, adding that she really loves her family. Her sister Reshima Kelly Williams also told THE STAR that although her sister still lives with their parents, the family has taught her to be self-sufficient.

"She's pretty functional you only know she has it because they have a certain look," Kelly Williams said.

"She lives a pretty normal life, she's able to help herself do absolutely everything. She can make her meals, she showers herself. If she needs to comb her hair, she can do that outside of going to the hairdresser," she added.

She also said that she believes people need to stop seeing persons with Down Syndrome as inadequate but as persons who can make a tremendous contribution to society.

"Though it is a disability, we should see their ability. They're just differently abled and with Kristina in my life for the 32 years she has shared with me, I've realised that if you don't expose them or treat them as if they're not different from anybody else, they can only learn whatever it is we are exposed to. But if you coddle them and behave as if they are different, or it is odd for them to have the disability that they have, then they will only behave in such way," Kelly Williams said.

Still, there are challenges that comes with Kelly's condition such excess weight gain. So her calorie intake has to be monitored by her family. She also has a short attention span which makes learning difficult. But Kelly is able to read, write and do basic mathematics. In 2014 she graduated from Genesis Academy, a high school skills training centre for students with learning challenges. While there, Kelly was able to work for many companies in various positions such as store clerk and office attendant. However, since graduating, Kelly has not been able to acquire a job because of stereotypes associated with her condition.

"Nobody is willing employ her and I keep saying to the people that I interact with, she doesn't have to be there for a full day, she doesn't have to even be there for the full week. It's just to really keep her stimulated and keep her active, but we just have not been successful in getting her employed," Kelly Williams said, adding that despite the stereotypes, she knows her sister's capabilities and is looking forward to her starting culinary training at the HEART/NSTA Trust in June.