Assume that I can
We are proud to have supported our network member, CoorDown, with their international awareness campaign for World Down Syndrome Day 2024, 'Assume That I Can'.
The ‘Assume That I Can’ campaign is a call for everyone to put an end to prejudice and support the concrete potential of each person who has Down syndrome.
Stereotypes, biases and low expectations affect every aspect of the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. They represent an often-impassable boundary that limits their ambitions; their opportunities at school, in the workplace, in sports, in their communities, friendships and romantic relationships.
The campaign was inspired by a speech made by Marta Sodano, a 29-year-old Italian woman with Down syndrome.
Marta said:
“I discovered that in psychology there is a concept called “self-fulfilling prophecy”, whereby a teacher who thinks that a student cannot understand would just act accordingly and therefore they would not teach the student. And there you go: the prophecy self-fulfills.
But in my opinion, there are no difficult or easy concepts, there is always a simple way to explain things.
If I think of all the things that were not explained and taught to me, well I really get angry.”
In this film, a young woman with Down syndrome, challenges the low expectations others have of her and proposes a reversal of perspective. Initially, those around her believe that she cannot drink a cocktail, be a boxer, study Shakespeare, live alone, or achieve important goals.
Then, halfway through the film, there’s a twist: the protagonist forcefully invites the viewer, and society at large, to think outside the box and use the self-fulfilling prophecy positively: if you believe in me, if you trust in me, you can have a positive impact, and then, maybe, I will achieve goals, even unexpected ones.
Meet the leading lady.
Madison Tevlin began her career at the age of 12 when her cover of John Legend’s All of Me went viral.
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Madison is a model, advocate and actor.
You might recognise Madison from her iconic role as Cosentino in the film Champions, starring Woody Harrelson and directed by Bobby Farrelly.
Madison loves to challenge misunderstandings by presenting her own story as a person who has passions and goals and is capable of much more than people expect of her.
Learn more about how we use evidence to make change happen:
Developing and sharing evidence.
Examples of people with Down syndrome being included help make change happen.