Published Apr 8, 2024

What Is Normal?

Anthropologist Tom Pearson shares his transformative journey as a father to a daughter with Down syndrome, exploring how societal norms shape perceptions of disability and advocating for a broader acceptance of human differences.

Episode Highlights

Topics covered

Personal Experiences
01
Family Dynamics
02
Rethinking Disability
03

Episode Highlights

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Dexa/Shankar Vedantam

What Is Normal?

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Embracing Human Differences

Racialized Medical History

Sibling Perspectives

Rethinking Down Syndrome

Rethinking Disability

Cultural Perspectives

Navigating Grief Together

Cultural Perspectives on Disability

Waiting for Diagnosis

Unraveling Assumptions

Understanding Disability

Unspoken Doubts

Recognizing Potential

Culture Over Biology

Episode Highlights

Personal Experiences

Family Dynamics

Rethinking Disability

Related Episodes

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Be The Change

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Changing Our Mental Maps

Episode 22: Originals

Emotions 2.0: What's Better than Being Happy?

US 2.0: Living With Our Differences

Be The Change

What Twins Tell Us

What Twins Tell Us

The Double Standard

Decoding Emotions

What We Gain from Pain

How They See Us

A Hidden Brain Commencement Address

What Is Normal?

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Personal ExperiencesTom Pearson's journey with his daughter Michaela's Down syndrome diagnosis challenges societal norms and personal expectations. His evolving understanding highlights the complexities of parenting a child with a disability and the profound impact it has on family dynamics.

Personal Experiences

Family Dynamics

Rethinking DisabilityTom Pearson explores the complex interplay between societal norms and the perception of disability, using his daughter's Down syndrome as a lens. He challenges historical and cultural assumptions, advocating for a broader understanding and acceptance of human differences.

Rethinking Disability

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