World Down Syndrome Day
Yesterday we celebrated International Day of Happiness so HAPPY BELATED INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS to all. Remember to never let anyone steal your joy.
Continuing the momentum of celebration, my sister and I would like to put forth a contribution to raise awareness of and support individuals with Down Syndrome.
Contributed by my sister – It is my opinion, that in Trinidad and Tobago, a lot more attention should be placed on matters affecting individuals with special needs.
As the saying goes, “Better late than never.” This afternoon I visited a mall and was frantically searching for ‘statement’ socks for my sister and myself. While in specific stores, there were other consumers looking at socks as well. My sixth sense was telling me that we were all supporting the same cause. However, none of us uttered a word regarding tomorrow. A lot of sales clerks mentioned that many shoppers have been requesting socks of the same kind. It almost felt as though they wanted to inquire or make a comment, but they did neither. Hmmmmmm… Anyway, I was unable to find what I had envisioned. Nevertheless, I did make two sets of purchases. Wooohooo to my funds. Lol.
I am hoping that the word is out, and many of you know that tomorrow (Thursday 21st March, 2019) is World Down Syndrome Day. If you don’t, now you do. Yes, tomorrow is World Down Syndrome Day.
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness, support and increase understanding of the condition. The trend is, that a supporter of this disability will be clad in odd “wacky” or mismatched socks. This curiosity serves to get people to inquire thereby engaging in a discussion about the condition.
When someone stops you while you’re wearing your trendy socks they may ask, in Trinidadian English Creole, “Why you wearing dem socks wit dat clothes.” This, my friends, is your opportunity to raise awareness by sharing your accurate understanding of Down syndrome.
Firstly, it is of utmost importance to note that Down syndrome is not contagious.
It is a genetic disorder in which a person was born with 47 chromosomes instead of the 46 that typical developing individuals have. Persons with Down syndrome experience problems associated with intellectual disability and the way their body and brain develop. Down syndrome also causes other medical abnormalities.
- Distinct physical features:
Flattened face, short neck, somewhat flatter nose than typical developing individuals, upward slanting eye lids and short height. Those are just some of the characteristic physical features.
- Some cognitive and behavior deficits:
Difficulties with thinking
Low attention span
Delay in the development of language and speech
Slow learning
With that being said, like typical people, individuals with Down syndrome look like their families.
Please refrain from stereotypes such as, “Down’s child”. When speaking in the presence of an individual with Down syndrome, please speak to the individual instead of ignoring the person or talking about said person. Would you like it if someone did that to you? Remember we are all human and should be treated as such first.
Despite their deficits, individuals with Down syndrome can live full and meaningful lives. As long as they receive the right support that encourages independence.
Don’t seclude rather include.
Be empathetic, display patience and listen.
Join the community and go get your socks ready!
#BreakTheBarriers #WorldDownSyndromeDay #LotsOfSocks #AdvocateForInclusion
With Love
NATURALLY FREE
** LOVE, PEACE and BLESSINGS **
👇Comment Below👇
Where you reside, how are individuals with disabilities treated and what provisions are made to support inclusion?
