Identical twins with Down’s syndrome have starred in a heartwarming film that follows the pair doing work experience to help them figure out what they want to be when they grow up.
Elaine Scougal, from Dundee, made a social media page for her twins Ollie and Cameron, six, when they were newborns, after constantly receiving ‘pitying reactions’ to her children’s diagnosis.
Now, the pair boast over 200,000 followers on Facebook, and Elaine is using their popularity to tackle outdated preconceptions that those with Down’s syndrome don’t have the ‘competence or ability’ to work.
The brothers are starring in a film for the Down’s Syndrome Association’s WorkFit programme, which shows them helping out on the checkout at the supermarket, in the hairdressers and at a fire station.
Twins Ollie and Cameron (pictured), six, who have Down’s syndrome are internet sensations, boasting over 200,000 followers on Facebook
Elaine Scougal (pictured), from Dundee, made a social media page for her twins after constantly receiving ‘pitying reactions’ to her children’s diagnosis
The brothers have starred in a film for the Down’s Syndrome Association for their employment programme WorkFit. They are pictured making the video
The twins’ mother Elaine said: ‘After a few weeks of hearing some stereotyped views and pitying reactions to Cam and Ollie’s diagnosis after birth, we decided we wanted to spread the word that our children were children, not defined by their chromosome counts.
‘We set up the Facebook page and it took off so quickly. I think due to identical twins with Down’s syndrome being quite rare, occurring at a rate of about one or two in a million births.
‘Through the page, we have documented their journey as they’ve grown from three weeks old to nearly seven years old now through videos, photographs and stories.
‘We get messages regularly stating that the page has opened their eyes about Down’s syndrome in terms of rebutting stereotypes they might have held.’
The film for WorkFit, shows that those with the condition are more than capable of being employed. They are pictured working at a local cafe
The mother argued that it’s simply a matter of finding specific jobs to suit individuals and the twins tested out working in a local cafe
More than anything, Elaine wants to tackle outdated preconceptions that those with Down’s syndrome don’t have the ‘competence or ability’ to work.
The mother argued that it’s simply a matter of finding specific jobs to suit individuals, and evaluating how their needs can be met within any employment context.
‘I think there a lot of outdated perceptions out there about Down’s syndrome, and learning disabilities in general, are a barrier to people getting jobs’, said Elaine.
‘There’s an assumption by many that people with Down’s syndrome don’t have the competence or ability to work and that a voluntary role is more suitable if anything.
‘It’s about creating the ethos of seeing each employee as an individual, not as a condition or disability, and evaluating how their individual needs can be met within any employment context.
Elaine wants to tackle outdated preconceptions that those with Down’s syndrome don’t have the ‘competence or ability’ to work. They are pictured testing out a job in a supermarket
Ollie and Cameron are pictured helping a hairdresser wash one of her clients hair in the video
‘That takes an open mind, but I believe, slowly, more minds are opening to employing people with disabilities and tailoring training to meet needs.’
The video shows the boys testing out jobs at the fire service, a café, hairdressers and supermarket and interviews older people with the condition, who are currently employed in jobs such as receptionist,in a restaurant kitchen, and in the drying room of a hospital.
‘I think having a job when Ollie and Cameron are adult would allow them really live in a way that is analogous to their mainstream peers’, said Elaine.
‘To be able to go out and buy their own food and save up for a treat that they want, without having to depend on Mum and Dad all the time.
‘To be able, as we all want to do, if we want something to be able to get it. And to do that, you need to get a job that pays your wages.’
Elaine said that employment would Ollie and Cameron to have a life similar to their mainstream peers. They are pictured with local firefighters while trying out a job at the station
The film aims to promote a ‘presumption of employment’. The pair are pictured testing out a job at a local fire station
The film aims to promote a ‘presumption of employment’, where children who have Down’s syndrome grow up expecting to be employed and are spoken to about what they might like to do from an early age.
‘They can then incorporate their career goals into their education and, when they’re ready to transition to employment, come to WorkFit with ideas of what they would like to do’ said WorkFit Employment and Development Manager Alison Thwaite.
‘We also hope the film encourages more potential employers to consider signing up to WorkFit.
‘All of our support is free of charge and without obligation and continues as long as the person who has Down’s syndrome is employed’.