World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day History

World Down Syndrome Day is dedicated to shedding light on Down Syndrome and the people living with the condition. It aims to raise public awareness and understanding of Down Syndrome, highlighting the unique abilities and potential of individuals with the condition. The day equally calls for the rights, inclusion, and recognition of those with Down Syndrome in all aspects of society.

The United Nations declared the first World Down Syndrome Day in 2012, and it has since been observed globally. The relation of the observance to individuals in the United Kingdom is significant: Down Syndrome is not uncommon in the UK, with approximately 40,000 individuals living with the condition. The day has thus become crucial in the UK, playing a part in battling discrimination, while simultaneously promoting a greater recognition of the contributions and achievements of individuals with Down Syndrome.

In the United Kingdom, several awareness-raising events take place on World Down Syndrome Day. These include community-based activities, educational talks, and campaigns highlighting the issue. Various non-profit organisations play a crucial role in these activities, providing support, information, and resources. The day is commemorated annually on the 21st of March, symbolising the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down Syndrome.

Facts about World Down Syndrome Day

• The theme for World Down Syndrome Day in 2024 was End The Stereotypes. The theme in 2023 was With Us Not For Us.
• According to the U.N, those with Down syndrome can achieve an optimal quality of life through parental care and support, medical guidance, and community based support systems. By being inclusive such as with education, those with Down syndrome can have greater participation in mainstream society.
• Each year, landmarks across the UK -- such as Cardiff's City Hall, the National Theatre, and the Millennium Bridge in London -- are lit up in blue and yellow, the colors of the day, in honor of World Down Syndrome Day.
• In the early 20th century, a baby born with Down Syndrome in the UK was expected to live less than 10 years. Now, many people with Down Syndrome can live into their sixties and beyond.

In the News and Trending in the UK for World Down Syndrome Day

Top things to do in the UK for World Down Syndrome Day

• Learn more about Down syndrome in the short film Chromosomes R Us.
• Light Up For 3:21: Landmarks across UK are lit up in blue and yellow - the official colors of the Down syndrome awareness ribbon. This can be a sight to behold.
• Read a book to learn more about Down Syndrome in United Kingdom:
  Down's Syndrome: Children Growing Up - by Janet Carr: This book offers long-term study and understanding of Down Syndrome in children in the UK.
  A Major Adjustment: How A Remarkable Child Became A Remarkable Adult - by Andy Merriman: The author narrates his own experience as a father of a child with Down Syndrome in the UK.