Typically, when people see somebody who has Down syndrome , its the first thing that they see, Vanessa Richard, a mother and the social media coordinator for the Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society (WRDSS) in Waterloo, Ont., told HuffPost Canada. Often times, its the only thing that they see. They dont even see the person.

Two years ago, Richards son Jamie was born with Down syndrome. Since then, shes seen firsthand how easily people can fall into the traps set by misconceptions about the developmental disorder.

Shes learned that people seem to have the wrong impression of the extent to which the syndrome will limit the course and potential of a persons life. Really, its just one part of them, Richard said over the phone. It isnt who they are. Theres so much more to their lives.