Grey’s Anatomy Star Pens Essay on Daughter for Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Last season, Dr. Amelia Shepherd gave birth to Linc’s son on Grey’s Anatomy. Off-screen, Amelia’s portrayer, Caterina Scorsone, is a mom, too. Now, she’s sharing her personal story in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Grey’s Anatomy Star Caterina Scorsone Opens Up

“Hello, Friends! October is Down syndrome awareness month and I did a little interview about our family for @goodmorningamerica,” Scorsone shared on Instagram. The actress has three daughters; Pippa, 3, who has Down syndrome, and Eliza, 8, and Lucinda, who is 10 months old. The TV doctor penned an essay on Good Morning America’s website.

The actress began her essay by describing Pippa’s eyes, writing that they are “rainbow-colored.” She explains: “The colors stand out, differentiated by the Brushfield spots, which come with the 47th chromosome that creates Down syndrome in a person’s DNA. Pippa has Down syndrome. But Pippa isn’t Down syndrome. Pippa is Pippa.”

Scorsone goes on to describe her daughter as many mothers talk about their kids — her likes, her dislikes, how she gets along with her siblings (she loves them). “She likes swimming and sign language and coconut water,” the actress adds.

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Scorsone says that Pippa has a learning profile that makes it easier her for to learn from pictures and printed words. “She is small for her age but her eyes are wise. She always says what she means and doesn’t suffer fools.”

The actress adds that Pippa has needs in order to accomplish things in life. “When she’s older, she’ll need support with some of her life skills (like a lot of us do), and with finding a job that’s the perfect fit for her skills and talents. She’ll need some supports to get an equal shot at life. She’ll need equity.”

Scorsone says that regardless of a person’s chromosomes or abilities, gender, money in their bank account, the color of their skin, human beings have the same needs: “love, safety, dignity, and connection.”

To read Scorosone’s full essay, go to Good Morning America’s website. Also, check out her Instagram post below. Grey’s Anatomy returns for Season 17 on Thursday, November 12, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.