In a world where everyone is fighting for equal rights under the law, people with developmental disabilities are right there in the thick of it. Having finally received the rights to an equal education and able to enjoy inclusive recreation and even job opportunities, many adults with developmental disabilities are still very much like children when it comes to having complete independence. Their parents have a difficult time letting go and society has a difficult time accepting them as capable.
One particular area of life that most people with developmental disabilities have been unable to participate in is the institution of marriage. Until recent years, many parents were advised to send their children to live in an institutionalized setting. These days that isn’t the case. And these days parents are raising these children to be functioning members of society, while still fearing that their lives will never be anywhere close to normal.
Enter Monica and David, the couple at the center of an HBO documentary about Down syndrome and marriage. Monica and David both have Down syndrome and were recently wed. They want to be independent but struggle with the realities of what that means, as do their families. Their mothers are strong and supportive, but face the challenges that come with letting go of a child. In this case, those challenges are magnified by the reality of Down syndrome.
Monica and David offer hope to families around the world who live with developmental disabilities. Life is a challenge for everyone. And as statistics show, marriage is one of the greatest challenges of all. Through the film, we watch Monica and David live their first year of married life as they deal with similar challenges to what we all face each day, as well as complexities that we couldn’t imagine. The film is about life and love, and what we all want – a life of love and independence. Monica and David show us why they deserve the most normal life possible, while offering us a glimpse into a world few of us will ever understand. They allow us all the opportunity to learn and grow while gaining an acceptance and understanding of those who are different from us.