Man reveals how he was raised by his father who has Down’s syndrome – as he says his parent’s relationship is ‘natural like other couples’

A dentistry student has revealed how his father, who has Down’s syndrome, has supported him through his education.  

Jad Issa worked a grueling job as a labourer in a wheat mill factory in Syria to raise money so his son Sader could pursue his dreams of becoming a dentist.

Speaking in a video for the Syrian Society for Social Development, Sader solemnly told the camera: ‘My father has Down’s Syndrome’.

He was candid about the challenges of being raised by a parent with the common genetic disorder, explaining: ‘This is a challenge for many people and many people cannot do this’.

However he insisted that his parents union is just like any other, even though his father has Down’s syndrome, saying: ‘Their relationship is natural like other couples’. 

Sader told Metro his parents, a happily married couple, have received some scathing remarks over the years because his mother does not have Down’s syndrome

Sader told Metro his parents, a happily married couple, have received some scathing remarks over the years.

The dental student said: ‘One of the concerns people have is how can a woman who doesn’t have Down’s syndrome marry a man with Down’s syndrome?’

He said: ‘I believe if the two partners were on the same page then why not get married? 

‘They are intellectually suitable for each other; very simple but loving and caring people’.

Sader told the Syrian Society for Social Development,: ‘I’m proud when he introduces me to a new person for the first time and says “My son is a doctor”.’

He continued: ‘You can see the pride and joy in his eyes. It’s like he’s saying “I have Down’s syndrome but I raised my son and did everything to help him become a doctor’.

The grateful son finished: ‘I’m proud of him’.

Jad still works in the wheat mill factory near where his son was born.

Jad (pictured left) supported his son (pictured right) both ‘economically and psychologically’ while pursuing his degree in dentistry

Sader explained: ‘For many [in Syria] being pregnant with a child with Down’s syndrome is the worst scenario. In fact many resort to abortion.

‘If my grandmother was convinced of this idea, I wouldn’t be here today. But for my father, it was easy. 

‘A child that grows up [around] in the lap of a person with Down’s syndrome can have the [same] love and tenderness anyone can offer’. 

Sader, whose father supported him through dental school both ‘economically and psychologically’, said he’d never dream of another father. 

He stated: ‘I’m proud of him the same way he is proud of me’.