Andrea Friendman: Self-Advocate

United States of America

When Andrea Fay Friedman was born in Los Angeles on June 1, 1970, nobody would have predicted that she would become a well-known actress and public speaker, go to college, hold a job, drive a car and live a full and independent life. Because Andrea was born with Down syndrome, the pediatrician told her parents to send her straight to an institution because she would not develop beyond the mental age of four or five. Her parents, Harold and Marjorie Friedman, ignored the doctor’s advice, took Andrea home, loved her, taught her and worked to help her develop to her full potential.

Most of Andrea’s education took place in regular schools where she was mainstreamed in regular classes (see attachment, "Education" for details). She participated in a wide range of activities with other children: piano, guitar, dance and drama classes among them. Without anyone’s realizing it, Andrea was being trained for her future acting career. (See attachment "Acting Training" for details.)

In 1991, she auditioned for and won the continuing part of Amanda, Corky’s (Chris Burke) girlfriend in the TV series "Life Goes On" and became a permanent member of the cast for two seasons.

In addition to "Life Goes On," Andrea has been a featured guest star on episodes of "Baywatch," "Touched By An Angel," "Chicago Hope," "Walker, Texas Ranger," "7th Heaven," "The Division," "Law and Order, SVU " and the star of her own Christmas Special, "Smudge."

Because of her television activities, Andrea is often invited to be a motivational speaker and supporter of causes that help other challenged people. She has spoken to many local, statewide, national and international organizations, including the students and faculty at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, on the subject of the advantage of a "mainstream" education for people with learning disabilities.

Andrea’s life is certainly very different from that which was predicted when she was born. She lives independently. When she is not acting, she works in the accounting department of a major law firm. She drives her own car and manages her own schedule, budget, housekeeping and social life. Andrea says she has "Up" syndrome, not Down syndrome and wages a personal battle against the words "retarded" and "disabled." "I am challenged, not disabled," she insists. "‘Disabled’ means ‘cannot do’, but my challenged friends and I can do. Some things are hard for us, some things take longer to learn; but if we work hard, we can do." Andrea does work hard and every morning announces, "I love my life. I wonder how many new friends I’ll make today."