Next month is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) and it's celebrated on the 21st March. It is a global awareness day which has been officially reconised since 2012.
All people who live with Down Syndrome must have the opportunity to interact, to live fulfilling lives and be included on a full and equal basis with others in all aspects of society.
The global plan of action pledges that “No one will be left behind”
The reality today is that negative attitudes, low expectations, discrimination and exclusion ensure that people with Down syndrome are left behind. There is a lack of understanding of the challenges that individuals face across their lifetimes and a failure to support them with the opportunities needed to live fulfilling lives. People with Down syndrome and those who support and work with them must be recognised.
So lets all join in together in creating a single global vision for the inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome. On World Down Syndrome Day Thursday 21st March 2019, lets call upon everyone to tell the world to “leave no one behind”
For more detailed information visit https://www.worlddownsyndromeday2.org/
#LeaveNoOneBehind #WorldDownSyndromeDay #WDSD19
Why 21st March?
The date for World Down Syndrome Day being 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.
History of World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day was first observed in 2006 in many countries around the world and Down Syndrome Association Singapore launched and hosted the WDSD website from 2006-2010.
On 19th December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared 21st March as World Down Syndrome Day. The General Assembly decided to “designate 21st March as World Down Syndrome Day to be observed every year beginning in 2012” and “invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome”.
How can we help? By wearing #LotsOfSocks
But not just any socks…
Visit .... https://shop.worlddownsyndromeday.org/
…wear the official #LotsOfSocks socks.
Wear them at home, nursery, school, college, university, work, play, travel, on holiday…wherever you are and whatever you’re doing on 21st March!
Make sure to take pictures and videos and post them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags
#LotsOfSocks #WorldDownSyndromeDay #WDSD19
For further detailed information visit
https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/
This year, the global theme is
“Leave no one behind”
DID YOU KNOW?
It is generally accepted that both Down’s syndrome and Down syndrome can be used. The most important thing though is the use of person first terminology (e.g. “person with Down’s syndrome“, not “Down’s syndrome person“). The use of the possessive apostrophe is a recognised model that is used for a number of conditions in Britain, thus, in the UK Down’s syndrome is used more commonly, whereas in other countries the more prominent is Down syndrome.
2019. World Down Syndrome Day. [Online]. [15 February 2019]. Available from: https://www.worlddownsyndromeday2.org/
2019. Downs-syndromeorguk. [Online]. [15 February 2019]. Available from: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/