Sunflower Centre celebrates World Down’s Syndrome Day every year
MIRI: MRCS Sunflower Centre here will, starting this year, celebrate World Down’s Syndrome Day (WDSD) to enhance public awareness of Down’s Syndrome ( DS).
Chairman/head of the centre, Liza Chai said this year was the second time it joined the world to celebrate WDSD which is observed on March 21 every year.
MRCS Sunflower Centre first observed the global awareness day in 2013.
“The decision to join the world in celebrating WDSD on a yearly basis is in line with its objectives to help raise awareness of what DS is, what it means to have DS, and how people with DS play a vital role in our lives and communities.
“Parents with DS children, give your children the opportunity to celebrate this special day,” Liza urged yesterday.
She revealed that 19 DS children accompanied by their parents/guardians and teachers took part in their WDSD celebration at Beach Republic last Saturday.
“They had a good time playing volleyball and football after a warm-up led by Cecilia Bang (a DS already working at Jasmine Café) and we ended the celebration with lunch,” Liza said.
MRC Sunflower has 19 DS, aged two to 40 years, with three of the DS young adults already working including two doing laundry at the centre.
Liza said it was important to expose DS children to living skills as “with proper guidance, these children can do more wonderful things than we can think of, so they must be given full and equal rights both as children and adults - with opportunities and choices”.
Down’s Syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has extra chromosomes. The symptoms can range from mild to severe.
The 19 DS children are among 111 children with special needs attending various vocational skills at the centre.
Liza said besides vocational training, the centre organised outdoor activities for them - among those planned for this year are camping at Lambir Waterfall mid-year, and preparation for Special Olympic and other sports and games like a swimming gala in September or October.