03/21 is World Down Syndrome Day. The date symbolizes Down syndrome because there are three copies of the 21st chromosome.Down syndrome was first described in 1866 by Dr. John Langdon Down, hence the name Down syndrome. But it was not until 1959 that the cause of Down syndrome was known. This year is the 50th anniversary of the Professor Jerome Lejeune's publication indicating that an extra copy of chromosome 21 is the cause of Down syndrome. Both Lejeune and Down contributed their own time and money to advocate on behalf of families and individuals with Down syndrome.
For more information about World Down Syndrome Day, please visit www.worlddownsyndromeday.org
Please remember that March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day and please tell someone about it! Thanks!
-Karyn
It's 3/31, actually, but there's no reason not to start early! :) I love this campaign and am spreading the word!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment and the support for the campaign. Actually this is something different than the end the r-word campaign. That is for all individuals with cognitive disabilities, not just specifically Down syndrome. This posting is for World Down Syndrome Day, so it has to be 3 - 21 because that is what DS is three of the 21st chromosome. Isn't that creative? Check out the link, it gives more details. Thanks for visiting.
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