World Down Syndrome Day 2017
Tuesday, March 21, is the 12th World Down Syndrome Day, when the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who work and live with them, grows louder.
Down Syndrome International encourages people across the globe to choose activities and events that will raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have the condition, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives.
By understanding the issues those with Down syndrome face in everyday life and recognizing the steps people can take to help them realize their full potential, a real difference can be made to enrich the lives of those with the condition.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the U.S., about 6,000 babies are affected by Down syndrome. Many people with Down syndrome lead productive lives well into adulthood.
Down syndrome is a condition in which a baby has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how a baby’s body forms during pregnancy and how, as the baby grows in the womb and after birth, the baby’s body functions.
Typically, a baby has 46 chromosomes. Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, chromosome 21. This extra copy changes the body’s and brain’s development and can cause mental and physical problems for the baby.
Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome Family Connect is a public nonprofit organization. This group is designed to provide resources and knowledge to its members and community about Down syndrome.
On Tuesday’s new coverage on Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness News 3, we see the world through the eyes of a little girl who has Down syndrome and what her dreams are.
