Down for Love

This is a very challenging series. On the one hand it seeks to portray the search for love of young adults with Downs Syndrome with sensitivity, and on the other it attempts to avoid any exploitation or stereotyping. Not an easy task. And it is understandable why some parents with Downs kids are cautious with their praise for the series.

On balance, I think that the series does a very good job with a most difficult task. It gives you a real insight into the fact that these people are just like you and me. They may have some limitations but at the core they are you and me. Desiring love and companionship.

I love wholesome shows that also help educate the world on a minority group. Love on the Spectrum was a great example of this. Down for Love is another great show that succeeds in this. I loved the whole season and cannot wait for more. There were many funny moments that I shared with friends as well. Carlos was such a sweet, romantic, and funny part of the cast. I also got the warmest feeling in my heart watching Lily's bowling date. I need to see more of these sweet people living with Down's syndrome. Netflix, please create more shows on people living with disabilities, the world loves to watch them!

This is a wonderful series, produced in consultation with the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association. It's about adults with DS---handled with sensitivity, humour and respect---and the challenges and joys they face (like the rest of us) in pursuit of romantic love. It showcases the fundamental importance of love, reminding us that we're a pair-bonded species, and that regardless of our circumstances or the hand we've been dealt by life, we should remain resilient and never lose hope in matters of the heart.

Anyone who claims this is exploitative is not only ignorant but patronising towards people with DS. We must stop infantilising those with disabilities by not treating them with condescendence. Every individual who participated in this series is an adult who's already had some public exposure, is confident and enjoys the limelight, evidenced by their interest in activities like acting, modelling, being on social media etc. It's no different to any other adult without a disability who decides to partake in dating shows like these, except the daters on this show have a great deal of supervision and familial engagement and support.

My 20-year old niece with DS loved this series so much that it made me emotional just watching her face as she laughed, cried and cheered for the couples. Condescension is hurtful and isolating so please before you make judgments based on your ignorance and prejudices that are thinly disguised as sympathy, reflect for a moment on why you'd ever view this show as "exploitative" or "sad".

Sympathy of this kind is demeaning, presumptuous and a tad bit arrogant. It disempowers, and DS adults do not want to be treated as eternal children or labelled and segregated based on their diagnosis. Don't assume that they can't defend or speak up for themselves. Don't dehumanise but equally don't idolise and give them special treatment by putting them on pedestals. Recognise that they are regular people with special needs and unique abilities who have the right to be represented and who are capable of making decisions and giving consent. Most of them are a great deal smarter and wiser than some of us without developmental disabilities.

They are not helpless children and don't wish to be treated as such. Let's include people with all disabilities fully into our society by allowing them the same platforms as the rest of us, including one such as Netflix. I'm not denying that exploitation does occur but in cases like this, the self-righteous forget that their sometimes misplaced defence of people with disabilities can be more detrimental than helpful.

Apologies for my rant but common sense is becoming so uncommon these days that one has to treat an IMDB review as an opportunity to express and point out the obvious.

This series is a big eye-opener for many people with, and without Down Syndrome. It displayes both strength and weakness in the path to finding love, no matter what you 'have' or who you are. Just like every human being.

The common public view on Down Syndrom needs an update, and educate people. Many people treat these persons as children. They are very capable of having relationships. They are not children, and want to practice their adult life in real life, like anyone else. Also, the focus on parents with their children with Down Syndrome, is a very welcome and educational part. No one has a syndrome or disease alone.

The only aspect that irritated me was the narrator's voice. It may be just me, but I think the voice is exaggerated and more suited to a nature documentary.

People with Down Syndrome are competent adults who can and should find love like anyone else. This series shows their abilities, not just their disability. They have the same rights and should have the same opportunities as any other adult. To the parent of a toddler with DS who panned the show and insisted on people with DS being forever treated like children, shame on you and I fear for your child as the child grows into becoming an adult. I work for a nonprofit that advocates for the rights of all people with disabilities to be treated the same as anyone without disabilities and this show is sorely needed to humanize people with Down Syndrome to the general public. This series was incredible and is a must watch for everyone.