Blog 139~World Down Syndrome Day 2016

Blog 139~World Down Syndrome Day 2016

Today is the United Nations official recognition of World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD)!   The date for WDSD being 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.”

“Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socio-economic lines, and affecting approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide. Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues” Courtesy of Wikipedia

Each year the voice of people with Down’s syndrome and those who live and work with them join together to focus attention on what it means to have Down syndrome and how those with the condition play a vital role in communities across the world.  My son, Nick is 22 years old and has Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) and autism.  He has touched more lives than I could have ever imagined.

Events to raise public awareness to create a single global voice are listed on their website: www.worlddownsyndromeday.org.

Our local support group here in Chicago has been a lifesaver for 15 years. Check out their site, it’s loaded with good information:  National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) http://www.nads.org.

Nick participating in music therapy at the NADS Retreat….

NADS is doing a 21 Day challenge.  Click here if you would like donate just $21 @http://nads.us10.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=9922ff656d4cb30bb58c685cc&id=26f657228a&e=9cb0029bf5

How does the future look regarding research and Down syndrome?  LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation leads the charge in cognition science and research http://www.lumindrds.org:

Their mission is to stimulate biomedical research that will accelerate the development of treatments to improve cognition, including memory, learning and speech for individuals with Down syndrome so they can:

*Lead more active independent lives

*Participate more successfully in school

*Avoid early onset of Alzheimer’s disease

In the U.S., there are 250,000-400,000 persons with Down syndrome and these individuals are 3-5 times more likely to develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Despite these numbers, there remains a great need for pharmacologic therapies to improve learning and behavioral challenges, as well as the increased likelihood for Alzheimer’s disease in persons with Down syndrome.

Today,  LuMind is hosting a virtual run fundraiser. In addition, there are other opportunities for runners to raise money towards this cause.  Click here for more information: http://www.lumindrds.org/ . Follow them on Facebook @LuMind RDS

Happy World Down Syndrome Day from Nick!  He’s an awesome guy.  The future looks bright and I look forward to sharing more about his journey. Thank you for reading and sharing WDSD 2016. Has someone with Down syndrome touched your life? I’d love to hear about it. That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

Nick in the Diveheart Scuba Program, never set limits….

Follow Nick:

 @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

#nickdsautism