At ages nineteen and twenty-two, respectively, Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz shared their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship--and their experiences growing up with Down syndrome. Their frank discussion of what mattered most in their lives--careers, friendships, school, sex, marriage, finances, politics, and independence--earned Count Us In numerous national awards, including the EDI Award from the National Easter Seal Society. More important, their wit, intelligence, candor, and charm made a powerful and inspirational statement about the full potential of people with developmental disabilities, challenging prevailing stereotypes. Now, thirteen years later, the authors discuss their lives since then--milestones and challenges, developments expected and unexpected--in a new afterword.
At ages nineteen and twenty-two, respectively, Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz shared their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship--and their experiences growing up with Down syndrome. Their frank discussion of what mattered most in their lives--careers, friendships, school, sex, marriage, finances, politics, and independence--earned Count Us In numerous national awards, including the EDI Award from the National Easter Seal Society. More important, their wit, intelligence, candor, and charm made a powerful and inspirational statement about the full potential of people with developmental disabilities, challenging prevailing stereotypes. Now, thirteen years later, the authors discuss their lives since then--milestones and challenges, developments expected and unexpected--in a new afterword.