I don't know how it could happen to me. Yesterday, 21/3, World Down Syndrome Day was celebrated, designated to honor people suffering from this syndrome.
The choice of date is very significant because it has to do with Trisomy 21, a more technical way of calling the syndrome.
The number 3, corresponding to the month of March, represents the number of genes, one more than normal, that a person carries on chromosome 21 when suffering from Down syndrome.
Its name is due to John Langdom Haydon Down, who was the first to describe this condition in 1866, although he did not know its causes. Then, Jerôme Lejeune, in 1958, was the one who discovered chromosome 21 as the cause of the disability.
Fortunately, I think, I want to believe, that today people suffering from the syndrome find fewer and fewer barriers to their integration and to lead a life as normal as possible.
When we are pregnant, making sure that the baby is "not down" seems to be the most important, without realizing that there are actually much more serious problems that we should worry about.
When a couple finds out that their baby has the syndrome, the world falls apart, it is logical. But seeing the baby's face they forget the bad drink and agree that their babies are the most wonderful thing that could have happened to them.
That he International Down Syndrome Day (although it is still a day later) it helps us to reflect and give special recognition to these "special" people.
It is in everyone to change their attitude and eliminate prejudices so that children and adults with Down syndrome can have a better life.
If you want more information about everything related to Down syndrome, you can visit two very interesting sites: Fundación Iberoamericana Down 21 and Spanish Federation of Down Syndrome.
You can also find in this link all the notes that we have published in the blog related to Down Syndrome.
