Dundee twins play a starring role in Down’s syndrome film

Carpool karaokestyle video aims to give a positive portrayal of life with the condition ahead of World Down Syndrome Day next week

The mum of Dundee twins who have become worldwide internet stars says she is delighted they have been able to give a positive portrayal of life with Down’s syndrome.

Elaine Scougal’s four-year-old boys Ollie and Cameron are among the 50 children who feature in a new carpool karaoke-style video released ahead of World Down Syndrome Day on Wednesday.

Elaine, 33, said: “There’s been a great reaction so far, which has been fantastic.”

Elaine and husband Al, 30, have helped to challenge “outdated stereotypes” about Down’s syndrome since becoming parents to Ollie and Cameron in 2013.

Elaine there were still some ignorant perceptions about Down’s syndrome.

“A lot of people felt sorry for us — ‘Oh well, at least they’ll be happy and musical’ and that type of thing. They were very outdated stereotypes.”

The Scougals, who live in Kirkton, started a blog when the boys were only two weeks old, and have built up a huge following of people who love to watch the videos of family fun with the twins.

They soon became part of a worldwide community of parents of children with Down’s and it is from there that the idea for the new video was born.

Elaine added: “There’s so many stereotypes and prejudices and just negative views still in society about Down’s syndrome and there’s a 90% termination rate in the UK with pre-natal diagnoses.

“A lot of those decisions are perhaps influenced by these outdated perceptions that our lives are negative or that we’re not happy – whereas actually we wouldn’t change a thing about our kids.

“Ollie and Cameron are more alike than different to their peers and so it’s about spreading that word that conditions don’t define people.

“None of the children in the video are defined by having Down’s. They’re all children first and foremost and so that’s what the video gets across.

“All you’re seeing is kids and their parents having a nice time together.”

Mum Elaine Scougal with her twin boys, Cameron and Ollie, right.