Why do we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day?

Every March 31 we recognize our “homies with an extra chromie” by celebrating World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD).

World Down Syndrome Day was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2011 and celebrated for the first time on March 21, 2012. All over the world, people mark March 21 in honor of those who have three chromosomes on the 21st pair.

Each year there is a new theme for the celebration. In 2023 that theme is “With Us Not For Us”. Down Syndrome International (DSI) coordinates the themes and helps disseminate information for organizations worldwide to use in increasing advocacy and awareness.

What does With Us Not For Us mean? Many people with disabilities of all kinds struggle with being a part of the important decisions that affect their lives. This year’s theme encourages people to help, encourage and support individuals with Down syndrome to make their own choices, and/or expand the input they have into their choices as much as possible. Seeing someone with Down syndrome as a person who has likes and dislikes is the key.

Additionally, a secondary meaning is that individuals with disabilities of all kinds are not expected to do things for themselves. This can be something big like choosing where to live, or it can be not participating in daily living skills like laundry or brushing teeth. People with Down syndrome are capable of doing many things, and the only way to learn is by participating in the task. If someone else always performs the task, those skills will never be learned.

Past themes for WDSD have been inclusion, more alike than different, mt firends my community. You can read more about WDSD here https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/about-wdsd

Down Syndrome Connections Las Vegas is celebrating WDSD by hosting a potluck at the Centennial Hills Park, Picnic Shelter D on Sunday March 19, 2023 from noon until 2:30. To RSVP, you can go to DSCLV.COM/rsvps.