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HomeNewsArchivesA Personal Invitation to a Down Syndrome Day Celebration

A Personal Invitation to a Down Syndrome Day Celebration

March 19, 2008 — My name is Rebecca A. Russell and I am the proud parent of a 3 year old named Melchiah who has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. He is a wonderful and energetic young man. I realized that he has brought a balance to me and to our household that I would like to share with everyone.
I would like to invite the public to become familiar and comfortable with individuals with Down syndrome. As an advocate, I would very much like to bridge the gap between people with Down syndrome and the rest of the society through a support system that seeks to integrate them fully into the community in which they live.
Down syndrome is comprised of a set of mental and physical symptoms that result from having an extra copy of Chromosome 21. Normally a fertilized egg has 23 pairs of chromosomes. In most people with Down syndrome, there is an extra copy of Chromosome 21 — which changes the body's and brain's normal development. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who described the syndrome in 1866. Often Down syndrome is associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, as well as facial appearance.
Individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a lower than average cognitive ability and mild to moderate learning disabilities. A small number have a severe or profound mental disability. The incidence of Down syndrome is estimated at one per 800 to 1,000 births.
Factors that can improve the overall development of children with Down syndrome include early-childhood intervention, screening for common problems, medical treatment where indicated, a conducive family environment and vocational training. Although some of the physical genetic limitations of Down syndrome cannot be overcome, education and proper care will improve quality of life.
Though Down syndrome can't be prevented, it can be detected before a child is born. The health problems that can go along with Down syndrome can be treated, and there are many resources within our communities to help children and their families who are living with the condition.
World Down Syndrome Day is March 21. On this day, Down syndrome organizations throughout the world organize and participate in events to raise funding and public awareness. The date was chosen to signify the triplication of the 21st chromosome that defines Down Syndrome
This year's celebration will begin at noon Saturday at the Frederiksted Boys and Girls Club. The members at the club agreed to be "buddies" for the children that day, with arts and crafts and other fun. This will allow our parents and others to network. It is also the perfect setting to allow our children to "Accept and Embrace Diversity!"
I invite the community to come out and support us, to support our children.
We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience but rather, we are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience.
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