Bryan Russell starts his campaign ahead of the Parliament election on January
(Photo : Reuters)

It may sound odd, but a man with Down syndrome will run for public office. He is the first in the world according to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. Down syndrome is a genetic abnormality that causes medical conditions such as heart defects, respiratory, and hearing problems.

Bryan Russell Mujica has Down syndrome and does his daily routine like speech exercise, putting pens and corks in his mouth to help build low muscle tone. His method of campaigning is also traditional by knocking on the doors of the Peruvians and asking for their vote. He is running to become a Peruvian lawmaker. 

In a report from Latino Rebels, Russell said: "I'm someone clean, honest, transparent," he shared this while he sat beside the dog he rescued. He also said during the interview that the purpose of politicking is to break the belief and paradigm that people like him who have Down syndrome cannot be independent. 

The president and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Michelle Sie Whitten, said that they are thrilled that Russell is running for office in Peru, and as far as they know, Russell is the first professional with Down syndrome to run for publicly elected office. He is showing that this world needs diversity in all areas of government.

It can be remembered that in 2013, Angela Bachiller who has the same condition as Russell became a councilor in Villadolid, Spain. However, in her case, she was not voted by the public. She just took over the position after her predecessor resigned due to the involvement of corruption. 

This is something odd for the people that a man with Down syndrome would run for office because they are usually questioned when it comes to mental capability in handling an office. 

Meanwhile, ahead of the parliamentary elections of January, Russell has been invited to speak at different events where he asked the people to fight for individuals like him and support them in whatever way they can. He was also invited by people coming from different political leanings. Moreover, he will be representing the Peru-Nacion during the parliament elections.

Behind his condition, he was able to study communications at the Peruvian San Ignacio de Loyola University and his parents encouraged him to find his way. Russel said that what he wants is that people like him will have a voice.

Russell also said that what makes him different from others is only his condition, but he knows how to read, write, walk, run, eat, and most of all, how to respect himself and others. 

Gladys Mujica, his mother, said that Bryan's participation in the parliament election has a very significant impact as he is changing the history of politics and she considers that as the most important thing. 

Russell's candidacy is supported by some Peruvians who helped him in campaigning by giving leaflets with a sign and an image of Bryan Russell. 

Carlos Maza, a retired man who assured that he will vote for Russell, said "He's looking to do his best. The 'normal' people try to steal from the country. That's a very big difference."

It is estimated that Peru has an estimated population of more or less 30 million and around 3 million has a condition like him. However, there is no exact data for the Peruvians with Down syndrome according to the founder of the Peruvian Society of Down Syndrome. Meanwhile, the group estimate that there could be around 25,000 people who have this condition. 

Patricia Andrade, a psychologist, said that people with Down syndrome struggle to overcome the prejudices of the people around them and that includes the perception that they are big children who can't decide on their own. This led them also to live on the margins of society because employers opt to hire persons with other disabilities than with mental conditions. 

In 2018, Peru changed its law by allowing persons with disabilities or described as disabled the right to exercise their rights without the intervention of others. However, this year these people need to have a guardian when getting married, signing a contract, vote, acquire a bank account, and more.

You can support Bryan by clicking here, and purchasing his official t-shirt.