Count Us In

In 1994, at ages nineteen and twenty-two, respectively, the authors shared their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship-and their experiences growing up with Down syndrome. The new 2007 edition includes a new afterword by the authors that recounts their successes and challenges as adults, Jason and Mitchell's wit, intelligence, candor, and charm make a powerful and inspirational statement about the full potential with developmental disabilities.

In 1994, at ages nineteen and twenty-two, respectively, Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz shared their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship-and their experiences growing up with Down syndrome. Their frank discussion of what mattered most in their lives-careers, friendships, school, sex, marriage, finances, politics, and independence-earned them numerous national awards, including the EDI Award from the National East Seal Society.

The new 2007 edition includes a new afterword by the authors that recounts their successes and challenges as adults, Jason and Mitchell's wit, intelligence, candor, and charm make a powerful and inspirational statement about the full potential with developmental disabilities.

Mitchell: I want all people to read this book so they can understand the perspectives of two young adults who have Down syndrome.so that they can understand the same situations that we were involved in.

Jason: I think this book can accomplish by teaching how people with disabilities and people not with disabilities can learn more and be more understanding about us because we also are a part of life. They will understand how it is to be ourselves and how it is to be themselves. To feel a part of this whole life.

Jason: .I hope I learned a lot since I was nineteen. Now I'm thirty-two years old, I'm still learning things-on my own or with help or with no help. But I'm hoping to be independent with a lot less supervision as possible some day. Less supervision or no supervision some day. There are some things I still need more help with, but I always want to give 100-percent effort to what I do. To help in any way to make sure that some day I am independent enough without any supervision as possible.

I have been an active member of the Self-Advocacy Committee of Westchester Arc and a representative of the Mid-Hudson Valley Region, advocating for people with disabilities. I give talks, speeches, public speaking to help people understand and erase the negative stereotypes people have had years ago about people with disabilities.

.I love music, Disney films, parties with my friends, I love to travel with family, friends, or on my own. I've been having a lot of recreational activities with friends. I've been taking courses with videography and lots of drawing. I love sports, too, and I love the Yankees and other teams, too, like the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (you can tell I love Disney).

Mitchell: In the last twelve years since the book published and after our national book tour, I have been traveling all around the country to different places to speak to individuals with disabilities about the importance of speaking up for themselves. Sometimes when they hear another person with a disability speak, they are encouraged to speak up for themselves and others about different issues in their lives. And also to form self-advocacy groups in their communities.

Since the book was published, I was appointed to numerous state and national councils and boards. More and more self-advocates are now being asked to serve on boards and committees to be part of decisions by helping government agencies and organizations to recognize that people with disabilities have the right to speak up for themselves.

I am thirty-five years old now and I think that having Down syndrome is no different than being a person without a disability. I have lots of friends with Down syndrome. We always advocate for ourselves. Being on the Board of Directors of the National Down Syndrome Society has helped me to do more for people with Down syndrome and to give back to the disability field.

"Their parents were told to expect nothing. But Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz were lucky, because their parents didn't listen. They gave their sons that chance to show how far they could go-and they've astounded everyone! Count Us In tells their story-and asks the rest of us to throw out our outmoded notions about people with developmental disabilities."

"This single volume will do more to change stereotypes about Down syndrome than any book I have read. These two young men steal our hearts and wash away generations of misconceptions."

Meet The Author

Jason Kingsley graduated from high school in 1994. A television actor, he has received many awards, including the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation Families Award, recognizing his contributions toward better understanding and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. He lives in Hartsdale, New York.

Mitchell Levitz works as a disabilities specialist for the Westchester Institute for Human Development and the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. He serves on the board of directors of the National Down Syndrome Society. He lives in Cortlandt Manor, New York.