“This is not the wedding for a young woman with Down syndrome. This is a wedding for a young woman.”

So says Cristina’s father as he watches his daughter prepare to marry Angel in season four of A&E Network’s docuseries Born This Way, which follows a diverse group of men and women with Down syndrome as they pursue their dreams, friendships and relationships, all while defying society’s expectations.

The series also gives a voice to the parents, allowing them to talk about the joy their son or daughter brings to their family, and the challenges they face in helping them live as independently as possible.

Season four will return August 15 at 8 p.m. with two episodes back-to-back each week during a four week event chronicling the group’s journey to push their boundaries even further and assert their independence as two of its members get ready to say ‘I do.’

When the show returns, Cristina and Angel struggle to agree of wedding details and their parents grow nervous about what this next step will mean for their futures. Meanwhile, Rachel and Megan look to move into their own place together without their parents. John and Steven work toward getting their driver’s licenses, and Elena embarks on a new serious relationship. Sean also has a new girlfriend and a growing business that is taking up more of his time.

Following the September 5 season finale of Born This Way, A&E will premiere the new documentary special Deaf Out Loud, which follows three predominantly deaf families as they raise their children in a hearing world.

With many differing opinions about how deaf children should be raised swirling in the social consciousness, these families work to forge their own paths forward and combat the daily social stigmas many deaf people face.

Born This Way and Deaf Out Loud are produced by Bunim/Murray Productions (The Real World).

For Born This Way, executive producers for Bunim/Murray are Jonathan Murray, Gil Goldschein and Laura Korkoian. Kasey Barrett and Millee Taggart-Ratcliffe serve as co-executive producers. Executive producers for A&E Network are Elaine Frontain Bryant and Shelly Tatro.

For Deaf Out Loud, executive producers for Bunim/Murray are Jonathan Murray, Gil Goldschein, Laura Korkoian, Jack and Marlee Matlin. Jacob Lane serves as co-executive producer. Executive producers for A&E Network are Elaine Frontain Bryant, Shelly Tatro and Jeana Dill.

A&E also partners with global non-profit Best Buddies International in support of promoting opportunities and increasing awareness for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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