‘Monica & David’ Explores Marriage With Down Syndrome

[The Straight Story]

When Monica and David Martinez got married five years ago, they were not your average bride and groom — both have Down syndrome. Deeply in love and committed to each other, their union nonetheless put the couple among a minority of people with developmental disabilities walking down the aisle.

Filmmaker Alexandra Codina — who is Monica’s cousin — followed the couple through their wedding and first year of marriage. The resulting documentary “Monica & David” captures the couple as they adjust to life together and struggle to define their own independence.

Ahead of the premiere of “Monica & David” on HBO Oct. 14, Codina spoke with Disability Scoop.

Disability Scoop: Why make a movie about Monica and David getting married?

Alexandra Codina: It was a very instinctive, almost emotional reaction a few weeks before Monica and David’s wedding. I realized even though no one was openly objecting to the wedding, there seemed to be this unspoken feeling that they were still children.

Disability Scoop: Why did they want to be married?

Alexandra Codina: As Monica’s cousin I watched her fall in love with a few other men before David and I watched her have her heart broken. When she started dating David, it was a very balanced relationship. They were right for each other. I think they wanted to get married because they were and still are very much in love but they also wanted to share their life together.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/10/07/monica-david-premiere/10566/

[Happyhippychick]

1. I watched it the other night. It's powerful.

[jwirr]

5. Yes, Some persons with downs can hardly function while others are

very capable. Those that are capable can lead very normal lives with work, family and community involvement. I am so glad someone is finally making this story available to the public. My nephew got married to a girl (both have downs) and later divorced. The interesting thing is that when they got the divorce he got custody of her son because the little guy wanted to be with him.

There are so many people out there who are capable of much more than the world thinks and who want so much to participate. We argue about voting here on DU - they vote if the county will allow it.

[JI7]

2. Are there different levels of Downs Syndrome ?

[Dappleganger]

6. Yes there are.

But I don't know how they distinguish the levels, probably by IQ, ability and physical traits. My mother's sister had Down's and could do a lot of simple tasks, including cook for herself and walk a dog. She did have to live with someone else so she was passed around from sister to sister (a very large Mormon family) until her mental capacity diminished so much she needed to go into a home. Typically she went to a day facility and at one point was even employed (not sure what she did, some kind of simple assembly jobs I think).

[JI7]

3. Are there different levels of Downs Syndrome ?

[REP]

7. Yes

IQs range in those with trisomy 21, with most falling in the 35-50 range (moderate mental retardaton) to the 50-70 range (mild mental retardation). Those with a form called mosaicism tend to score 10-15 points higher. In addition, all forms of trisomy 21 have physical health manifestations, with heart problems being among the most common.

[Odin2005]

4. there seems to be this disgusting idea in some circles that the disabled can't have love lives.

Good for those two!

[jillan]

8. Or that they don't have the same feelings as everyone else.

We're all the same inside.

[lightningandsnow]

9. Thanks for posting this!

People with disabilities can fall in love, just like those without.