Happy World Down Syndrome Day

To Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day we are instagramming “A Day in the Life of Down Syndrome!” We do hope you will join us! Follow along on twitter or instagram (@kristadawne), or check back here tomorrow for a full report. And don’t be afraid to join in the fun, take photos, like, share and comment. Let’s celebrate together.

And for those information types, here is the low-down on how to rock the extra chromosome.

3:21 The 21st day of the 3rd month to represent the 3rd copy of the 21st Chromosome which is Trisomy 21 or more commonly known, Down Syndrome.

Named after John Langdon Down, who identified the Syndrome.

Down Syndrome is not a disease.

Down Syndrome is not contagious.

It is a condition in which many symptoms are consistent. Sometimes not all and sometimes in varying degrees but ultimately, because there is an extra copy of the 21st chromosome there is extra of all the genetic material stored in that pair of chromosomes. (ie. the reason behind cartilage: affecting everything from the shape of your nose to the shape of your heart).

There is also Translocation Down Syndrome in which part of the extra genetic material of chromosome 21 is attached onto another chromosome, most commonly chromosome 14.

Mosaic Down Syndrome occurs when only some of the cells have 47 Chromosomes. Technically, any kid with Down Syndrome could potentially have this because they don’t test every cell in the body. But in Ella’s Chromosome count 5 cells were tested, all of which had 47 Chromosomes.

Finally, there is Atypical Down Syndrome. This one is a bit of a mystery still but from what I understand, only part of the extra copy of the 21st Chromosome is present.

As mentioned there are many features of Down Syndrome. If you thought about it, you could probably identify at least three. A unique aspect of Down Syndrome is that people with Down Syndrome are the face of disability. Their flattened bridge, button nose, small stature, often large neck and/or protruding tongue have come to personify intellectual disabilities. This is a blessing and a curse. But as I have said before, I have come to know that face as beautiful.

My perspective is changing and our world is changing and for that, I am grateful because it means that for every advancement in inclusion and understanding, Ella has a greater chance of achieving whatever she sets her mind to.

I do hope you will celebrate with us. World Down Syndrome Day is recognized by the United Nations and millions of people around the world.

Follow #ADayInTheLifeOfDownSyndrome and #Iamhappy
Oh, and if you haven’t already done so, watch this.