Speaking out for themselves in our local branch

“ALL people with Down syndrome should have full participation in decision making about matters relating to or affecting their lives”.

Down Syndrome International

World Down Syndrome Day March 21st, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.

The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome International (DSi) encourages people all over the world to choose their own activities and events on WDSD to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.

Drogheda and its environs are particularly lucky to have one of the most active and progressive branches in the country, where members are encouraged to embrace this year’s theme for WDSD - ‘We Decide’.

Mike Egan is the Regional Resource Officer for the Louth Meath branch of Down Syndrome Ireland(DSI). He works part-time as an information and support officer for the members and branch committee, helping to advocate for and support individual members and their families.

Where disability supports are not readily available, Mike works with the branch and DSI National Team to campaign for improved services for members of all ages.

More recently, Mike has helped to set up the Regional Advisory Council(RAC) the first of its kind within DSI’s 25 branches.

The Council is an independent self-advocacy group for adults with Down syndrome in the North East area.

The 14 member body, consisting primarily of people from Meath and Louth but also some from Westmeath and Cavan, offer an opportunity for the branch members to have a structured input into the plans and activities of the DSI branches in the area.

“We firmly believe in people Speaking Out for Themselves and we are proud to be the first branch in Ireland to commence the Regional Advisory Council initiative,” Louth Meath branch chairperson Paul Radford.

“We have known for a long time, as both parents and committee members, that people with Down syndrome have their own voice and opinion about how they want to live their lives.

The RAC will ensure that those voices are listened to, those opinions respected and acted upon.”

Join in with us to create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome on March 21st.