Children with Down syndrome endured terrible abuse throughout the Victorian era.
Many were left to die in hospitals, their deaths quietly attributed to “natural causes.” At home, they were frequently concealed away, sent to asylums, or disconnected from their families – out of sight, out of mind.
The term “Mongol” was used back then, coined from “mongoloid” by Dr. John Langdon Down in 1866 when he published “Observations on the Ethnic Classification of Idiots.”
While the term was eventually abandoned due to its offensive racial implications, Down Syndrome was later named after him, though the original language left profound scars.
It wasn’t until 1959 that Dr. Jérôme Lejeune and Marthe Gautier discovered the real cause: an extra copy of chromosome 21.
Today, scientists are even exploring ways to delete this additional chromosome – this is a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go.
Let’s not overlook this history and also learn from it because we need to do better.
Even if we love our children without conditions, we wouldn’t want them to be born with this; therefore, if they can remove the extra chromosome, it can only be a good thing, but then I suppose some people don’t like messing with genetics either.
But these kids have the most incredible perspective on life. They are extraordinarily nice and bright, and they have genuine love.
It’s also important to keep in mind that working-class families in the Victorian era received no assistance, and the asylum served as the sole haven for the impoverished.
Asylums were frequently thought of as the most suitable place, and children with Down’s Syndrome were usually consigned to homes, not just in the Victorian era but up until the late 20th century.
Due to a lack of knowledge, children with Down syndrome were mistreated during the Victorian era, but nowadays they lead happy, fulfilling lives on their own with assistance.
The doctor who saw value and dignity where others saw prejudice gave the condition its name: Down syndrome.
In 1866, British physician John Langdon Down was the first to scientifically describe the condition we now know as Down syndrome. But his contribution went far beyond medicine.
People with intellectual impairments were often abused and secluded throughout the Victorian era. Langdon Down set out to alter that reality when he was appointed director of the Royal Earlswood Hospital.
To raise the standard of care, he outlawed physical punishment, placed a higher priority on cleanliness, and brought on more employees.
In order to help patients express themselves, gain skills, and boost their self-esteem, he also offered hobbies like crafts, painting, gardening, and music.
One of his most compassionate actions was photographing his patients with respect and sensitivity.
Instead of portraying them as “clinical cases,” he dressed them in formal attire and photographed them with pride, showing the world that every life deserves to be seen with compassion and respect.
In 1868, he took things further and established Normansfield, a groundbreaking institution where people received personalised education, learned music, horseback riding, and performed in their very own theatre.
Over 150 years later, the place still exists in the UK as the Langdon Down Centre, preserving his legacy.
Langdon Down didn’t just leave a name in medical history—he left a powerful example of respect, inclusion, and humanity. Because every life matters.
People with disabilities shouldn’t be held back. These folks are not thick or unintelligent because they have Down Syndrome, and any person with a disability should be respected; the only reason some are not is not because of their disability, but because folks are so self-absorbed with their own lives.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 