Sunday was World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), a day to promote awareness, understanding, and support for persons with Down syndrome. Did you know that even the date itself, 3/21, has meaning? It was selected because of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
First observed in 2006, WDSD wasn’t officially celebrated until 2012. It was thanks to an extensive campaign launched by Down Syndrome International and Brazil that the date became part of the United Nations calendar. On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as WDSD.
Yesterday, the staff and students of the Elizabeth Lee Black School showed their support for WDSD. Everyone was wearing bright, colorful, or mismatched socks. The socks are worn to attract attention as a conversation starter so that people ask questions. The wackier the socks, the better! This is all part of #LotsOfSocks, a campaign held because chromosomes are shaped “like socks.”
To learn more about Down syndrome, there are many great videos available at the Canadian Down Syndrome Society website – https://cdss.ca/down-syndrome-answers/
I’d encourage you to take a few moments…they are inspiring!
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