Count Us in - by Jason Kingsley & Mitchell Levitz (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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 Count Us In numerous national awards, including the EDI Award from the National Easter Seal Society. More important, their wit, intelligence, candor, and charm made a powerful and inspirational statement about the full potential of people with developmental disabilities, challenging prevailing stereotypes.

Now, thirteen years later, the authors discuss their lives since then--milestones and challenges, developments expected and unexpected--in a new afterword.

From the Back Cover

"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."--Mary L. Coleman, MD, Emeritus, Georgetown University
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 Easter Seal Society. In Count Us In, reissued here with 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 of people with developmental disabilities.
JASON KINGSLEY graduated from high school in 1994. A television actor, he has received many awards 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."

Review Quotes

PRAISE FOR COUNT US IN

"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."--JANE PAULEY --