World Down Syndrome Day

Friends do not count chromosomes...

Since 2011, on March 21 of each year, World Down Syndrome Day has been celebrated worldwide. The date is to symbolize the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. 
What started out as a UN initiative – the international day of Down Syndrome – is now observed in 60 countries, including Georgia. Georgia first celebrated World Down Syndrome Day in 2012. On March 21 of each year since then, a conference is held dedicated to the theme of Down Syndrome.

The first Georgian organization - titled “Babilina” - aiming to raise awareness of the syndrome, was founded in 1997. In 2006, “Our Children” - a bigger association, was established. In 2017 it evolved into the Georgian Down Syndrome Association, an NGO that organizes events and fundraisers to help create a comfortable, lovable and equal environment for ones with Down syndrome and their families.  

Ex-first lady of Georgia Maka Chichua, who is a mother to a 5-year-old born with Down Syndrome, gave an interview to FM Radio Tavisupleba on Thursday. While speaking about Down syndrome and its struggles in general, she stated: “If you ask me what I want to change, I’d say I don’t want to change anything, except society.”

This year, the theme of the World Down Syndrome Day was: “Leave No-one Behind.” It intends to emphasize that the ones with the Down syndrome should not be excluded from education and employment.
1 in every 800 is born with the Down Syndrome. We should never leave them behind!

By Nini Dakhundaridze