World Down syndrome day
Celebrate World Down syndrome day
March 21st
About 1 in 1,100 babies are born Down syndrome in Australia.
Most children with DS go on to lead happy lives attending school and working in their community. Their lives are enriched by the support they receive just by being accepted and nurtured within their peers.
On March 21 World Down syndrome day is celebrated to create awareness among people who are not exposed to or have little knowledge of DS. Wearing blue and yellow or putting on a pair of bright crazy or odd socks is a great way to do this. Why? By doing this it starts a conversation and creates awareness so that DS can be understood by more people. Why socks … the idea was created because socks are a similar shape to chromosomes and people with DS have a third copy of chromosome 21.
Expectant parents are screened for DS and sadly 90% of pregnancies are terminated in Australia. The main reasons for termination are due to concerns about the quality of life of the child and the siblings due to the extra care needed to raise a child with DS. Mostly terminating is due to misinformed pressure from health professionals given to the expectant parents.
Prenatal information
The Down Syndrome Federation provides support and information for expecting parents. The national 1300 number (1300 881 935) will connect you to your local state or territory Down syndrome organisation. Staff at the organisation can provide you with non-directive information and answer questions. They can also arrange for you to talk to a parent of a child with Down syndrome. www.downsyndrome.org.au
Down syndrome awareness is very close to my heart and our family was very lucky to experience it first hand through our son and brother Guy. I’m not sure how old I was when I realised Guy was different because he was my little brother and I loved him just the way he was.
Guy went to school, he learned to ride a horse, swim, recognise money, write his name he even had a job at the chemist. Guy loved music, footy but mostly he loved family and friends. You only had to say hello and you would be his friend. Although Guy had all these opportunities there were things out of his reach like driving, getting married and starting a family.
Guy was born at a time when DS was considered to be a curse. My parents experienced some very arrogant heartless health professionals who told them to leave him in care and forget about him. It was thought that choosing to raise a DS child was selfish and would burden the family and the other siblings. Not to mention the cost to society. Fortunately, Guy came home and was raised in a loving environment embraced by our community and accepted just the way he was.
I’m sure many of know and will remember Guy and his contribution to the community. He taught us empathy, patience and to never take for granted how lucky you are to live your best life and be free to make your choices.
Thankfully people with DS are not thought of as a burden as much now but health professionals are still putting pressure on parents to terminate.
In memory of my little brother I ask that on March 21 you put on odd socks or wear blue and yellow or even just take a few minutes to educate yourself about DS. There are so many positive stories about families that are blessed living with a loving kind Down syndrome child.
Guy made our family special. We were blessed. He is missed every day. His quirky humour, beautiful smile and kind heart. Guy was so loved by our family and his friends. Thank you to all the people who loved him and accepted him for the person he was.
Rhonda Phillips