Down Syndrome Awareness, Spread the Word!
March is a significant month for raising awareness and acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is time that we as a society, do something to change the way people refer to individuals with special needs. There are several campaigns and events this month, that I want to highlight!
“Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word. The campaign is intended to get schools, communities and organizations to rally and pledge their support to help create communities of inclusion and acceptance for all people. Most people don’t think of this word as hate speech, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and friends. What started as a youth-led grassroots effort in 2009 by a small group of students with one simple call to action, has evolved to communities across the world not only taking the pledge, but challenging others to talk, think and write with respect.”
Click here and pledge to Spread the Word to End the Word:
https://www.r-word.org/r-word-take-action.aspx#.Wp1zqExFx2s
Be sure and mark your calendar for March 21st, World Down Syndrome Day!
“World Down Syndrome Day creates a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome. The mission is to promote awareness and understanding, seek international support, and to achieve dignity, equal rights and a better life for people with Down syndrome everywhere. 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.
Click here for more information about WDSD:
https://worlddownsyndromeday.org/about-wdsd
One of the trademarks of World Down Syndrome Day is rocking your fun, brightly colored, funky socks. Last year I partnered with We Help Two for a fundraiser and awareness campaign. Portions of the proceeds went to our local Down syndrome support group, the National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) http://www.nads.org. In addition, for every pair of socks sold, We Help Two gives a pair of thermal socks to donate to a local homeless shelter.
Last year, my son Nick and I raised over $500 for NADS and donated 59 pair of thermal socks to The Hessed House, a local homeless shelter. The campaign was super easy to set up and promote on social media, with minimal time as the host.
Nick and I donating We Help Two thermal socks to the Hessed House……….
To order or host your own Rock your Funky Socks for WDSD click here:
Order socks to directly benefit NADS fundraiser click here: https://my.wehelptwo.com/campaign?id=795
Check out the brand new styles offered this year, by We Help Two :)………
One more campaign I want to showcase is led by Noah’s Dad, called #Prove Them Wrong.
“It’s awesome to see so many people with special needs proving to the world that what it may think about them is wrong! We see so many of your children are doing awesome things as well! We want to invite you to be a part of a fun new campaign we’re doing called the #PROVETHEMWRONG campaign and show the world how your children are doing that! I’m going to be making a video for World Down Syndrome Day and I want you / your family in it!” -Noah’s Dad
For more information about #PROVETHEMWRONG click here:
https://provethemwrongshirts.com/
Our dream as a community of advocates for those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is to live in a world where everyone feels respected, loved accepted and appreciated. Let’s get out there and spread the word this month and make a difference for the future!
That’s what is in my noggin this week.
~Teresa 🙂
Follow Nick on Social Media:
Facebook and Pinterest @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism
Instagram #nickdsautism
Twitter @tjunnerstall
Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism 