Spanish makes history as the first MP with down syndrome: ‘People quickly think you can’t do it’ | Abroad

The road that Mar Galcerán had to travel was not easy. “People look at your face and think you can’t do it.” She has been a member of parliament for the Spanish People’s Party (Partido Popular) for a few months now. In the newspaper El Pais Galcerán describes himself as a practical person who tells it like it is. She attaches importance to structure and that is not always easy to combine with the irregular hours in parliament. She lives with her parents and besides her work she likes to travel, puts on a flamenco dress every Sunday to dance and loves running. She prefers to achieve a better time every time. “Improving or overcoming myself, that has always been my goal.”

If it were up to Mar Galcerán, she would certainly not be the last ‘downie’ to stand up for herself and make a career. According to her, people with Down syndrome should go to regular schools to achieve more. “Only in this way can we put an end to the many prejudices. I achieved what I wanted, but I had to fight for it. People look at your face and immediately think you can’t do it,” said the Spaniard at her installation as a regional member of parliament in Valencia. “Many people still think that we are eternal children, or that we are cuddly. We are not God’s angels. Yes, we have a condition, but we want to live our own lives.”

Regina Lamberts, director of the Down Syndrome Netherlands Foundation, says that the Spanish politician plays an important role in the emancipation of people with Down Syndrome. “It’s great that she has achieved this. I immediately thought of Pablo Pineda, also from Spain, who was the first person with Down syndrome to obtain a university degree. He later reenacted that event in the film Yo, tambien.”

In contrast to the Netherlands, according to Lamberts, it is much more common in Spain for children with Down syndrome to go to regular education. “Given the different levels within Down syndrome, this is not for everyone. But in the Netherlands, in our opinion, more children with this disability would not need to go to special education. Now about 50 percent of children with the syndrome go to primary education. The figures in secondary education are extremely low: on average, 2 students with Down syndrome move on to a regular secondary school every year. Management often indicates that they are afraid that these young people will be bullied away by the rest. Well, you’ll be done soon.”

According to Lamberts, the education system should be organized differently. “In our country we pride ourselves on good care and guidance from and for people with disabilities, but you are immediately put in a box. That should change. Pay special attention to the level of a child and what he or she can handle. Most children with the highest level of Down syndrome can simply go to regular schools.”

Rick Brink, politician in Overijssel and known as the (former) unofficial Minister of Disability Affairs, agrees with the Down Syndrome Foundation. “It is better for the children’s development if they go to a regular school. In the Netherlands, most people with disabilities move in a separate society. In ‘normal’ society they mainly learn to take responsibility for themselves and get the best out of themselves. This way you have a better chance of a career.”

Brink emphasizes that MP Mar Galcerán has achieved a unique achievement that is not possible for everyone with Down syndrome. “But with hard work and the right guidance and support, it is possible. She contributes to the awareness of this group of people. That we not only look at their disability, but at what they do and mean to society. That’s just a win.”

As a member of parliament, Galcerán joins a select group of people with Down syndrome who are active in politics. In France, a municipal councilor with Down syndrome is active. And in Spain itself, Angela Bachiller became the first municipal councilor – in the city of Valladolid – with the syndrome in 2013.