Events to mark World Down Syndrome Awareness Day

NEW HAVEN — The Chapel Haven Schleifer Center is holding a series of events to mark World Down Syndrome Awareness Day, culminating in the international celebration March 21.

“We have many adults with Down syndrome living happily in our community,” Michael Storz, president of the Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, said in a release. “Down syndrome is characterized simply by one extra chromosome.

The message we will carry through this week is that people with Down syndrome are no different than you and me — they can lead happy, independent, productive lives and they are doing so in our community every day.”

Planned events include the decoration and hiding of nearly 200 stones around the city’s Westville area, painted with inspirational messages about Down syndrome.

Anyone finding a decorated stone will see instructions on the back of the rock directing them to Chapel Haven’s Down Syndrome Awareness web page at . Those finding the stones can share photos of the find to be posted on the Chapel Haven social media account and website.

“Challenging stereotypes about people who live with Down syndrome is a critical part of the work we do,” Shanon McCormick, executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of CT, said in the release. “Chapel Haven students and alumni bring that work to life. We are delighted to join Chapel Haven in raising awareness about what people with Down syndrome can achieve when given the opportunity.”

Events include:

▶ March 17: “21 Things We Love about You” — Visit Chapel Haven’s social media pages and contribute to a list of at least 21 things we love about classmates, friends, and family members with Down syndrome.

Visit the group’s Facebook page @chapelhaven and comment.

▶ March 18: Dylan’s Zoom Room, 4 p.m. A virtual panel discussion will be led by Chapel Haven community member Dylan Kuhnhenn about Down syndrome in the workplace. According to the release, Kuhnhenn will be joineed by McCormick and Storz, as well as other Chapel Haven community members who will share their experiences with Down Syndrome in the workplace.

▶ March 19: Zoom Dance Party with DJ Joe, open to all.

— March 20: Saturday Shout-Out. Tag businesses, people and organizations that support/promote Down syndrome. Use the hashtag DSrocks@ChapelHaven or tag your post to the Facebook page at @chapelhaven.

▶ March 21, World Down Syndrome Day Rocks, 1 p.m. CHSC adults will distribute Down syndrome rocks in Westville.