We recently watched Born This Way, the Emmy‑winning docuseries on A&E. The show follows a group of young adults with Down syndrome as they navigate everyday life—building friendships, pursuing dreams, falling in love, working, and discovering who they are. We’re truly glad we did—it left a lasting impression.
A Human Story, Not Just a Disability Story
The show offers a deeply humanizing and refreshing look at what it means to live with a disability—and, more importantly, what it means to simply be human.
At its heart, Born This Way reminds us that people with disabilities want the same things everyone else does: love, friendship, new experiences, recognition, capability, and independence. The young adults in the series share their talents, hopes, fears, and humor in ways that are both endearing and deeply relatable.
One of the most powerful aspects of the show is how clearly it affirms this truth: people with disabilities are far more like everyone else than they are different.
Parents Whose Stories Resonate
We were deeply moved by the parents featured in the series. Their fierce love and pride, as well as their hopes and worries, felt instantly familiar.
Like many parents of children with disabilities, they face questions that are often hard to say out loud—especially the one that lingers in so many of our hearts:
What’s going to happen to my child after we’re gone?
That part of the show stayed with us. Watching these families speak so vulnerably gave us both comfort and a sense of urgency. It reminded us how important it is to begin preparing our own daughter for life beyond us—not someday, but now. The more time and experiences we can give her, the better prepared she’ll be for that transition. It won’t be easy, but it can be gentler, more supported, and less isolating.
Why Born This Way Matters
The series made us laugh, smile, reflect, and feel—sometimes all within a single episode. It sparked important conversations about independence, support systems, friendships, and family.
Shows like Born This Way matter because they help us see each other with deeper empathy and understanding. They foster connection—and for the disability community, that visibility is both vital and long overdue.
We’re grateful to Born This Way and the families who welcomed us into their lives. They’ve left us with so much to reflect on—and even more to be inspired by. If you haven’t watched the show yet, we highly recommend it. It just might change the way you see the world—and the people in it.
Where You Can Watch It
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Watch full episodes on A&E’s official site or on other streaming services