Today is World Down Syndrome Day.Down Syndrome International (DSI) has officially earmarked 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). The date was chosen to signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome and is used synonymously with Down syndrome. Commemoration of World Down Syndrome Day started on 21 March 2006, it has " grown " manifold globally.
The annual observance of WDSD aims to promote awareness and understanding of Down syndrome and related issues : and to mobilise support and recognition of the dignity, rights and well being of persons with Down syndrome.
Awareness is not Sarah Palin's forte. Her only link to the Down syndrome world is the use of Trig as a prop. I wonder if she's going to twitter something about DSI day? She might, after she reads about it here...
So you don't have to go through the comments to find this, I'm going to put it here. It came from our friend StephiLou:
Today is World Down Syndrome Day! I "borrowed" my list here from Beth - with permission. FYI for all....
World DS Day is the 21st day of the third month of the year. The date represents the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome. Kinda cute. Now someone explain how October became Down Syndrome Awareness Month??
1. Learn more about Down syndrome! Here is a link to some Myths and Facts about Ds. Did you know that 80% of babies born with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35? I know teenagers who have had babies with Down syndrome.
2. Talk to your children about people with differences. The way I explain Down syndrome to young children who are curious is to say that when a baby is first growing inside the mother there are directions inside the baby that tell it how to grow, what color hair and eyes it will have and how tall it will be. A baby with Down syndrome has an extra set of directions, which makes it more difficult for the baby to grow and develop. A baby with Down syndrome can learn to do all the things that a typical baby can do, it just takes longer to learn because of all the extra directions. Older kids can learn about chromosomes and how individuals with Down syndrome have an extra 21st chromosome. The medical name for Down syndrome is Trisomy 21. With your children, share what you know, and admit what you don't know about cognitive disabilities.
3. See if your library has current information about Down syndrome. Do a quick online search of your library’s listings for Ds. If they have no books that have been written in the past 5-7 years, please ask them to update their books. Any non-fiction book older than 15 years should be removed from the shelves.
4. Visit Reece’s Rainbow, an international Down syndrome adoption ministry. Learn more about how children with Down syndrome are treated in other countries. It is much like the United States treated individuals with cognitive disabilities 50 years ago. Consider supporting a child’s adoption with a monetary donation. I have given donations in honor of my mother for Mother’s Day.
5. Write a short note to your legislators telling them that you want them to fund the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act (the Kennedy-Brownback bill). Currently up to 90% of all prenatally diagnosed fetuses with Down syndrome are aborted. It’s important to understand that this is not about pro-life or pro-choice, but rather about providing parents with needed data and support. Unfortunately the worst presenters of a diagnosis of Down syndrome today are medical professionals because there are no mechanisms to train them, to teach them how to deliver that diagnosis and to present the options, all of the options.
6. If you’re a woman, start a conversation with your OB/Gyn about concerns you may have about getting accurate information to families that receive a prenatal diagnosis. Prenatal testing is soon going to change, and the OBs are the first to deliver unexpected news. Bring the doctor a copy of this research.
7. Watch a movie featuring a person with a disability: Emma’s Gifts (I’m biased since Hannah and I have cameos in this documentary), Duo, The Other Sister (which I think is pretty funny). **NEW** watch The Specials an online documentary/reality show following young adults with disabilities in England. Each episode is only about 10 minutes long.
8. Contact your local Down syndrome parent support group (just Google Down syndrome and your geographic area) and email them to see what sorts of ways you could help. Usually volunteers to assist with childcare, programs and events are more than welcome!
9. "Dreams in Reality". Watch this short online video for some inspiration.
10. Remove the word “retarded” from your everyday speech. It used to be a medical term (as did the words “idiot”, “imbecile” and “moron”), but has become such a derogatory word that it is on its way out. The new “R-word” is Respect.
Thanks, Steph!
(H/T to H S)
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Talking about Twitter, this is one of Sarah Palin's latest gems:
Duh, the same way the millions of underpaid or unemployed Americans do!Why is she so concerned about how the troops will be able to purchase insurance when HCR passes? Why is government sponsored health care good for the military but really, really bad for the rest of Americans?
The military should do their duty and contribute to the ever growing profits of the insurance companies Sarah Palin believes can do the job a lot better. The military have been unAmerican by Sarah's standards, they haven't supported 1/6 of the economy by shopping around for coverage and stimulating healthy competition. That's the "Real American" way, darn it!
The sooner the Health Care Reform bill is passed into law, the better.
Then we could have break from the Queen Quitter Twitter, her wigs, lip gloss and inane ramblings on Fox News, Facebook and Twitter.
And Sarah and her teabaggers will realize the world didn't come to an end.
Sarah, please sit down and shut up. Pretty please...?
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UPDATE:
It's a great day for America and a massive and highly deserved defeat for the Republicans and the radical and dangerous right-wingers that are slowly taking over the Republican party.
The House has passed the healthcare reform 219 - 212.
Suck it up, Sarah Palin!
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