Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which people are born with an extra chromosome. Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell of their body, for a total of 46. A person with Down syndrome has an extra copy of chromosome 21, which means their cells have 47 chromosomes instead of 46. This alters the way their brain and body develop. Down syndrome can affect anyone. It is a genetic condition that does not occur as a result of anything the parents did before or during pregnancy.
The majority of Down syndrome cases occur at random (sporadically). People do not usually inherit Down syndrome in an autosomal dominant or recessive pattern during conception when the egg and sperm meet. More research is being conducted to learn more about the risk factors for Down syndrome. According to research, the hazard of getting a toddler with Down syndrome will increase because the birthing figure ages.
Women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) over the age of 35 are more likely to have a child with Down syndrome or another type of genetic condition. Because people under the age of 35 have higher fertility rates, most babies with Down syndrome are born to people under the age of 35. Physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms are all associated with Down syndrome. Not everyone with Down syndrome exhibits all of these symptoms. Symptoms and their severity are unique from man or woman to man or woman. Your child with Down syndrome may struggle with cognitive development.
Global Initiative
World Down Syndrome Day is observed every year on March 21 as a global initiative to raise awareness about hereditary disorders. Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome. The global incidence of Down Syndrome is estimated to be between one in 1,000 and one in 1,100 live births, according to the United Nations. Every year, between 3,000 and 5,000 toddlers international are born with this chromosomal abnormality.
Although the cause of this syndrome is unknown, it has always been a part of the human condition. The 21st of March, the third month of the Gregorian calendar, was chosen as the date for World Down Syndrome Day to represent the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st human chromosome, which causes Down syndrome. Every year, World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated to raise public awareness about Down syndrome. According to the official website of Down Syndrome International, on World Down Syndrome Day, people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them around the world organize and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a unified global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome.
The day was created to celebrate the lives of people with Down syndrome and to ensure that they have the same freedom and opportunities as everyone else. Every year on March 21, Down Syndrome International calls everyone to action with a theme to ensure the human rights of people with Down syndrome. The organization also holds events at the United Nations’ main headquarters in New York, United States, and Geneva, Switzerland.
Every year, an increasing number of people take action on this day. People with Down syndrome, their families, friends, supporters, schools, businesses, and civil society organizations, as well as governments and communities, are all included. “Inclusion Means” is the theme for World Down Syndrome Day this year. The United Nations calls for “full and effective participation and inclusion in society” in the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).
However, people with Down syndrome and disabilities do not benefit from full and effective participation and inclusion in society around the world. There are many reasons behind this, one of them being a lack of agreed understanding about what inclusion is and what inclusive systems look like in practice. According to World Syndrome International’s website, people all over the world need to share their collective understanding of inclusion.
On March 21, 2022, people all over the world will have the opportunity to share ideas, experiences, knowledge, and extremely important messages. They can help each other to advocate for people with Down syndrome’s inclusion. People can also reach out to and engage key stakeholders to effect positive change.
History
The first World Down Syndrome Day was observed in 2006. The Brazilian Federation of Associations of Down Syndrome then collaborated with Down Syndrome International. And its members to launch a large-scale campaign to garner international support. The General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution in November 2011 to observe World Down Syndrome Day every year.
The following month, March 21, was designated as World Down Syndrome Day. From 2006 to 2010, the Down Syndrome Association Singapore launched and hosted the World Down Syndrome Day website on behalf of Down Syndrome International (DSi), to record global activities. Down Syndrome International is an international disabled people’s organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with Down syndrome and promoting their right to be included on a full and equal basis with others. The resolution was co-sponsored by 78 UN Member States.