Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation holds fourth annual ‘Lift Up Downs’ benefit concert

THE JAMAICA Down’s Syndrome Foundation (JDSF), a registered member of Down Syndrome International, held its fourth annual fundraising variety concert at the Campion College auditorium in St Andrew recently.

Persons with Down’s syndrome, self-advocates, parents, caregivers, medical professionals and civil-society organisations came out in their numbers to support the growing movement across the world. The event, which was hosted by Mario Evon, featured performances from Dr Michael Abrahams, Dr Krista-Lee Berry, Tahirah Scott Anderson, Julianne Carrington, Conrad Hall, Darron Andrews, Mike Bennet and Friends, the Jamaica Constabulary Force Choir, The Music House and the Kids with Down’s syndrome.

The objectives of the fundraiser were to establish and maintain a database of families with children living with Down’s syndrome; provide emotional support and connect families to better enable them to face the challenges they will encounter in raising a child with Down’s syndrome; increase social awareness and acceptance of the condition by providing educational material and seminars for families and healthcare providers, teachers, and the general public. It is also intended to guide caregivers to make the best use of available resources and establish a resource/activity centre for children with Down’s syndrome.

Dr Charmaine Scott, director of Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation, said that “the reality for many is that prevailing negative attitudes result in low expectations, discrimination, and exclusion, creating communities where children and adults with Down’s syndrome cannot integrate successfully.”

Dr Scott noted that on World Down Syndrome Day, which is being observed today, “we call upon Jamaica to create an inclusive environment for people living with Down’s syndrome, thus ensuring we leave no one behind.”