A&E: the channel that brought duck calling, bounty hunting and spontaneous marriages to light. They also have another reality show called "Born this Way." This show follows seven young adults navigating adulthood, independence, relationships and leaving the nest. These seven friends live in Los Angeles and are very diverse. We have Megan, a budding businesswoman and producer, a Colorado native with big dreams; John, an aspiring rapper who loves to dance and get on the stage; Cristina, a hopeless romantic who dreams of getting married to her boyfriend someday; Sean, a self-proclaimed ladies man and golf enthusiast; Steven, a baseball fan who likes to share the occasional beer with his friends; Elena, a drummer who loves her friends; and Rachel, who loves fashion, getting her hair done and has the dream of finding the right guy. They sound just like us, yeah?
The kicker? All seven of these young adults have Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome (also known as Trisomy 21) occurs when "an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21." Each cell is supposed to have 46 chromosomes. There are 23 identical pairs. Adding one more chromosome causes a Down Syndrome diagnosis. This is cause for "low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes and a single deep crease across the center of the palm." A Down Syndrome diagnosis also means learning delays and other challenges intellectually. However, this has not stopped these seven friends from succeeding at what they put their minds to. (National Down Syndrome Society 2012).
"Born this Way" had a great first season with six unforgettable episodes that included learning how to ride bikes, speaking engagements, The Special Olympics, finding love and an engagement. Just like any reality show, rejection, conflict and heartbreak are also depicted. However, this is the reality show that does not count as a guilty pleasure. You will love the cast and their families. You will also cheer for them and their accomplishments every step of the way. This show is uplifting, and you bet I will be tuning in for the second season on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. Eastern time!
