WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated annually on March 21. This day is observed to create awareness about Down Syndrome. March 21, 2024 will mark the 19th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day and this year is the 13th year that it will be officially observed by the United Nations. The theme for this year is “END THE STEREOTYPES”. A stereotype is a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like. Stereotypes can be positive, negative or neutral, but they are often inaccurate, or simply wrong! Stereotypes are often based on limited information or personal experience. They can be reinforced by the way something is represented in the media or by cultural messages. Once formed, a stereotype can be difficult to change. For people with Down Syndrome and intellectual disabilities, stereotypes can stop them from being treated like other people. They get treated like children, they are underestimated and they are excluded. Sometimes they are treated very badly or even abused. People are all different. We don’t all act the same way or like the same things. We each have our individual identity, interests, likes and dislikes, gifts and talents. Having Down Syndrome or an intellectual disability is just one part of who a person is! March 21, the 21st day of the 3rd month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome (or Trisomy 21) is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. It is when the 21st chromosome has 3 copies rather than 2. This means individuals with Down Syndrome have a total of 47 chromosomes compared to 46 in a person without Down Syndrome. Chromosomes are “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how a baby’s body forms and functions as it grows. Around 1 in every 800 babies will be born with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues. Down Syndrome occurs naturally – there is no known cause. Here at Fyzabad Anglican Secondary we rock our socks in support of this very special day. We join a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down Syndrome. You may ask “why socks?” Socks were chosen because chromosomes are shaped like socks. And also crazy, colourful socks get noticed and get people talking. The idea is to start a conversation, so when people ask you about your socks you can tell them, “I’m wearing them to raise awareness of Down Syndrome”. And then you can go on to tell them everything you want them to know about Down Syndrome. Fyzabad Anglican Secondary Family wherever you are today! Let us make this a day of love, a day of inclusion, a day of tolerance. Let us be our brother’s and sister’s keeper. Include that person who always seems to be alone, talk to that quiet person, engage and cheer up that person that looks sad, do random acts of kindness today. Let us be good to each other today. And with it all, let us keep in mind, why we are wearing our lovely socks. That we are not wearing them to be funny or simply because we can. We are wearing them in support of a worthy cause. So let us rock our socks and have a beautiful day people. |
Hi People! Tomorrow, Thursday 21st March 2024 is World Syndrome Day. In celebration of this special day of love, of inclusion and of tolerance, we are rocking our socks!
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