Arkansas mother, advocate speaks in honor of son on World Down Syndrome Day
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- World Down Syndrome Day takes place every year on Mar. 21 and allows advocates to bring awareness and those with the diagnoses to be celebrated.
DeAnn Hunt is a mother, and president of Arkansas Down Syndrome Association. She said her world changed when she found out her son was born with the disability.
“His heart had a hole in it and it needed to be repaired, and when he was seven, he was almost hospitalized,” Hunt said.
Hunt said shortly after her son Al Hunt’s health became stable, she was inspired to do something that would help and educate other parents with the same experiences.
“I joined the board for Arkansas Down Syndrome Association, and I’ve been the president for the last six years,” she said.
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She said her position with the association diversified her and her son’s life, giving him the opportunity to be around others just like him. She said he was able to develop his own dreams, aspirations and desires.
Hunt also got the opportunity to connect with other moms in the area, becoming a safe space and support system. She said she was happy to help many people realize that people with Down syndrome are no different than those without the condition.
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“They want to live independently, hold jobs, they like to hang out with their friends, go on vacation and honestly they’re just like us,” Hunt said.
Al Hunt now spends his time reading and planning for his future. He is a soon-to-be graduate of Easterseals and an upcoming teacher’s aide at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Hunt said he is preparing to live on his own soon so now he’s learning how to shop for groceries on his own.
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