What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting Down Syndrome

When Thomas Pearson’s newborn daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome, it changed the course of his life forever. Pearson joins SAPIENS hosts Jen Shannon and Chip Colwell to talk about his story, how his training in anthropology prepared him for his daughter’s diagnosis, and what he hopes other people can learn from his experience. Pearson is a professor of cultural anthropology at the University of Wisconsin, Stout.

Read more about Pearson’s story and his research into disability studies on SAPIENS: “A Daughter’s Disability and a Father’s Awakening.”

The book Chip recommends at the end of the episode is titled The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.

SAPIENS: A Podcast for Everything Human is part of the American Anthropological Association Podcast Library.

Music included in this episode are:

• Walking Bells - Studio D
• Not Alone, Betrayal, Waiting for the Moment That Never Comes, Under Suspicion, Compassion - Lee Rosevere
• Cerutti, Who Were These People, School Daze  - Matthew Simonson
• Gymnopedie No 1 - Kevin Macleod