Down Syndrome Awareness Day

This week marked World Down Syndrome Day. As you may know, one of my favourite bloggers Kelle Hampton gave birth to her daughter Nella last year and discovered that she had Down Syndrome. I am privileged to be friends with some parents who also have children with it. They are wonderful parents with gorgeous children.

Kelle wrote what she wanted other people to see: ‘I don’t see chromosomes, I see kids. And that’s what I want the world to see too.”

My friend Di said to me: ‘It does change everything, but it doesn’t change anything.’ Di is mum to gorgeous Bella and you can read her story here.

So I wanted to share with you in a when we have a day that celebrates awareness about it some of the things I have learned about it along the way.
The medical facts are that Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. They also have low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm.

People with Down syndrome go to school, they work, they participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society in many valuable ways. Yes it does take them longer to learn things and hit developmental milestones. But as actor Gerard O’Dwyer, the winner of best male actor at the recent TropFest awards says everyone needs: `To go for their dreams.’
Incidentally Gerard has Down Syndrome, and he’s also an advocate and role model for people with a disability and speaks at numerous functions, fundraisers and events across the country. Down Syndrome is a part of him. It doesn’t define him.

As Di says: “it wasn’t all butterflies and fairyfloss…..but what you have is just another individual child with their great points and their frustrating points. In Bella’s case, there has been more good than I ever expected.”
Just like everybody else.