More than 19 years ago when I arrived in the United States pregnant with my first child, Emir, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome in utero, I had no idea what the word inclusion meant. Like many or most of those who have not had first-hand experience, I believed that people with Down syndrome or other neurodiversity diagnoses belonged to separate spaces and worlds, since they did not have the ability to integrate into standardized spaces.
I didn't even imagine that the birth of my son was just the beginning of a new life, since three years later I gave birth to my second child, my daughter Ayelén, who was also born with Down syndrome. Curiously, his arrival came to change everything and teach me the most important lesson: the diagnosis does not define people, nor does it determine their future.
Emir was always shy and in a certain way, being the first and having an affable personality, the prejudices surrounding his condition became truths. He was the typical sweet little angel full of love. I grew up overprotected and perhaps in many ways, even limited in my fear of not knowing what I was capable of.
But everything changed when Ayelén arrived with her overwhelming, demanding and strong personality. Unlike Emir, Ayelén was strong and determined, which allowed her to make space for herself more quickly but also generated behavioral challenges since, continuing with the theme of prejudice, people expected her to be a “little angel” and the truth is that she never was. was, and never will be.
I think Ayelén pushed to look for new opportunities for both of them, since the “special” spaces were always too small for her. That's how I started asking about inclusive opportunities in the school district. The struggle was intense because then inclusion was not an option, however, as I investigated, I found allies who, although they did not know how to achieve it, believed that we could build it together.
Emir and Ayelén began their inclusive stories at Pinewoods Elementary. One of the key people was teacher Ximena Hurtado, who became our ally and defender on this path full of challenges that has been worth everything. Even though the system refused to allow Emir's transition to an inclusive middle school classroom, we made it possible with another great ally, Donna Djerf, the county's parent liaison. Emir became the first student with “significant disabilities” (systemic term) fully included with a modified curriculum in middle school and is now in high school, on his way to becoming the first to graduate with a standard diploma under the same conditions. Ayelén just graduated from middle school with the recognition of the principal and as a notable citizen.
The moral of this story: Emir and Ayelén have Down syndrome. The struggle has never been to change them or “fix” them to fit into the antiquated standardized system that attempts to measure people's worth based on inflexible academic goals. The struggle has always been one of love to teach them before anyone else, that being who they are, they are perfect and enough. They have the right to belong with their individual capabilities and to maximize them protected by laws that allow them to access the adaptations and modifications necessary to live without differences and with opportunities like the rest of the world. It is time to change concepts to stop believing that people need to change to be the same as everyone, to change ourselves and start enjoying the richness of human diversity.
Biography
Eliana has a degree in communications and a master's degree in legal sciences. She currently works as a project associate for the national academic research agency WestEd and is part of the National Systemic Improvement of Education (NCSI) team funded by the US Department of Education and the Center for Improving Educational Outcomes (NCEO). also paid for with federal funds.
Eliana Tardío is a Bolivian immigrant who came to the United States almost 20 years ago. She is the mother of Emir and Ayelén, both with Down syndrome. Her story and her fight for an inclusive life for her children have earned her national and international recognition from large entities such as Disney, YouTube, Univisión, Telemundo, and Fox, among others. Eliana was recognized as one of the most influential “Latina mom bloggers” by the White House, under President Obama's administration. She has been a keynote speaker at inclusive conferences around the world, in countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Bolivia, and has shared her message through different organizations in more than 20 states in the United States.
Eliana Tardío
Bachelor of Communications
Master in Legal Sciences
