This year, Valencia’s parliament is celebrating a historic moment when 45-year-old María del Carmen Garceran becomes the first woman with Down syndrome to become a local councillor.
Garceran, a long-time member of the People’s Party (PP), ran as a candidate in the Valencia regional elections last May, but failed to secure a seat in parliament. However, she was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Ernesto Fernández Pardo in September.
Who is Maria del Carmen Garceran?
With a career spanning 26 years and experience in both government and non-government positions, Galceran has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service.
Mr. Garceran began his career in politics at the age of 18, joining the PP and working as an intern in the Valenciana Governor’s Office for 12 years. Since 2010 he has held various positions in sectors such as social care, equalities and inclusion policy, and currently works in the health and public health sector.
Expanding
In addition to her political role, Ms. Garcellan spent four years leading Ashindown, an NGO that supports families with children with Down syndrome. In her interview, she stated that her main goal is to advocate for the normalization and inclusion of people with Down syndrome in society.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Garceran, Spain’s first MP with Down syndrome, aims to challenge the widespread stigma and eliminate the social stigma associated with Down syndrome. In an interview, she stressed that while society is beginning to recognize the contributions of people with Down syndrome, there is still a long way to go.
Although reactions to her accomplishments have been mixed online, Garcellin takes the criticism in stride, understanding that many people online don’t know much about her personal journey.
She credits much of her success to her supportive colleagues at PP. They gave her a sense of security and played a vital role in her accomplishments. Ms. Garceran expresses her gratitude to party leader Carlos Mazon for offering her the opportunity to serve as secretary of the disability section of her party. She also acknowledged her personal support of Mr. Mason in local elections.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Galceran’s breakthrough joins one of the few examples of people with Down syndrome breaking through barriers. Down syndrome is characterized by cognitive delays, unique physical characteristics, and an increased risk of certain medical conditions. Despite these challenges, Garceran plays an important role in Spanish politics.
Her story reflects a broader trend of people with disabilities making great strides in politics. In 2020, Eleonore Laloux became the first city council member in Arras, France, to have a genetic disorder. In 2022, Fintan Bray reaches a new milestone by gaining political office in Ireland. Garceran’s achievement follows Angela Bachirar’s landmark victory as a Valladolid city councilor in 2013, which further advanced the representation of people with Down syndrome in Spanish politics.