March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day

Today, March 21^st  is World Down Syndrome Day.  It marks the 8th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day, a global awareness day which has been officially observed around the world since 2012. Each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live, love and work with them, grows louder.  Down Syndrome International encourages our friends all over the World to choose your own themes, activities and events to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.

 As a point of personal privilege, for me this day is personal.  I was ten years old when my brother, Richard was born with Down Syndrome.  He was the youngest of my seven siblings and because he was born the day after my birthday, I considered him my gift, and he is.  Richard is now 47 years old, has been active in his community and church and is a cherish member of our family. He loves to dance and no family gathering is complete until we all dance with Richard.  He is the kindest, most compassionate person I know, looking beyond age, color, religion, political party or status and treats everyone the same.  Our parents are both deceased now, but Richard continues to live with family and in his community and we all benefit by him being with us.  Angi English, Executive Director, Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.

• Texas Associations for Down Syndrome https://www.ndsccenter.org/parents/directory.php?state=TX
• National Down Syndrome Congress https://ndsccenter.org/  
• To learn more about World Down Syndrome Day, http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/