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This lovely young lady is Lily.
We are so lucky to have watched her grow and blossom into the kind, happy and affectionate 17-Year-Old smiling at you in this photo.
Lily loves singing and dancing. She has some wonderful friends that she enjoys doing activities with and she lights up every room with her smile and laughter.
Feel Good Inq and Lily would like to invite everyone to acknowledge World Downs Syndrome Day and raise some awareness of the joy that Lily and others just like her can bring to your day.
What is World Down Syndrome Day?
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is on the 21st of March each year and is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
The date for WDSD is the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
Background
The estimated effect of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 births worldwide.
Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder.
The quality of life of people with Down syndrome can be improved by meeting their health care needs, including regular check-ups with health professionals to monitor mental and physical condition and to provide timely intervention be it physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, counselling or special education.
Individuals with Down syndrome can achieve optimal quality of life through parental care and NDIS supports, medical guidance, and community-access support. This facilitates their participation in mainstream society and the fulfilment of their personal potential.
End the Stereotypes
A stereotype is a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like. Stereotypes can be positive, negative or neutral, but they are often inaccurate, or simply wrong!
Stereotypes are often based on limited information or personal experience. They can be reinforced by the way something is represented in the media or by cultural messages. Once formed, a stereotype can be difficult to change.
For people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities, stereotypes can stop us from being treated like other people. We get treated like children, we are underestimated and we are excluded. Sometimes we are treated very badly or even abused.
For World Down Syndrome Day 2024, we call for people around the world to end the stereotypes.
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