'Born This Way,' new A&E Series Focuses on Young Adults with Down Syndrome

John, 28, is a budding rap artist; Rachel, 32, is very independent and has worked for the past three years as a mail-room assistant; Sean, 21, is a ladies’ man; Megan, 22, lives in Denver, goes to college and has her own business, but is determined to relocate to Los Angeles to become a film producer.

They are among the seven young adults whose lives intertwine in the new six-episode A&E real-life series “Born This Way,” premiering Tuesday, Dec. 8. You might expect to find the seven on shows like “Big Brother” or “The Real World,” except for the one thing they all have in common: They were born with Down syndrome.You won’t forget that fact as you watch the show’s premiere — that’s the last thing the show’s producers or most of its cast members would want. But in so many other ways, what they all go through in their day-to-day lives is a lot like what other people their age go through. They have career dreams and life plans; they love hanging out, listening to music, going bowling. But perhaps the most important take-away from the first episode is that while they all have Down syndrome, it doesn’t make them all the same.

Business Owners Overcome Sterotypes

This is just so inspiring. Watch the video.

NEW YORK (AP) — Soon after customers arrive at Mozzeria for the first time, they notice something's different about the restaurant: Virtually every staffer is deaf.

Owners Russ and Melody Stein also are deaf, and have run their San Francisco restaurant since 2011. They've managed to have a thriving business by overcoming the obstacles deaf people often face when they become business owners, including stereotypes about what deaf people are capable of doing.

Attitudes Are the Real Disability

Barbara Aden in her apartment.

BELMONT, Calif. -- Barbara Aden, 31, has a love for life seldom seen.

She wakes up in the morning with a positive attitude, sings and dances her way through the day even as she works and offers sincere compliments to just about everyone she meets.

Born with Down syndrome, Aden has worked hard since she graduated Carlmont High School in 2001 to live life to the fullest on her own terms.

Helped by family, friends and agencies that serve people with developmental disabilities, Aden not only holds a regular job, she also has her own apartment in Belmont. She moved into the apartment earlier this year, and it is the first time she has ever lived on her own.