Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated each year on March 21. The date represents the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome.
On World Down Syndrome Day we celebrate the contribution that people with Down syndrome make to our society, like Tiana, who receives therapy through Gateways and enjoys spending time with her friends at our school holiday program.
Tiana is 10 years old and in Grade 4 at Covenant College 2 days a week and Barwon Valley School 3 days. She has recently learnt to ride a bike, is a keen swimmer and has just mastered floating on her back. She can read, write her name and has learnt her address. Recently she went on her first school camp with her friends in her class at Covenant College. She loved grooming and leading the horses around. Tiana also loves dancing with emotion21 and happily performs on stage at their annual concerts and other events.
Like other kids her age, Tiana loves watching DVDs, YouTube, jumping on the trampoline, her sister’s makeup, ice cream and lollies. Her mum Judy describes her as a “social butterfly who freely hands out big squishy hugs.”
Let’s all raise awareness today of how Tiana and so many others with Down syndrome, enrich the lives of their families, friends and the world.
