World Down Syndrome Day
KERSEY - Each year World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21 as the date symbolizes the three copies of the 21st chromosome that causes Down Syndrome, usually, people only have two copies.
Several local families recently gathered to participate in a World Down Syndrome Day photoshoot organized by Maria Doran of St. Marys, mother of Demi Doran age two and Frankie Johns of Ridgway, mother of a daughter, age 1.5, both of whom have been diagnosed with the genetic condition.
“Having such a wonderful group of families that we all can lean on during some of our hardest moments that come along with the diagnosis is honestly the most important thing there is,” Doran said. “Every single one of these families are beyond amazing with the biggest hearts I've ever seen.”
Together Doran and Johns created a Facebook post notifying the community they would be conducting a photo shoot and reaching out to those who were interested in participating. Johns then enlisted the help of local photographer Liv Pistner of Creative State of Mind in St. Marys.
“What better way to celebrate Down Syndrome than to have all of our local families come together for a photo!” Doran said.
A total of 12 families then gathered at the Fox Township Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall in Kersey where the photo shoot took place and to “contain all of our ‘homies with an extra chromie and Liv worked her magic,” according to Doran. Those featured in the photoshoot ranged from two-months in age to age 41.
“If you have never had the chance of interacting with someone with Down Syndrome, or meet a family member, then I highly suggest you do, your life will be blessed in ways you didn't know were possible,” Doran said.
With today marking World Down Syndrome Day, the global awareness day has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
COVID-19 prevented Doran from participating in their yearly celebration of World Down Syndrome Day when they would typically deliver cookies to local businesses and send books about Down Syndrome to local schools in order to reach out to the community.
There are multiple ways you can support kids and adults with Down Syndrome on Sunday. Perhaps the easiest way is to “Rock Your Socks” wearing colorful mismatched socks as the karyotype of Down Syndrome chromosomes also looks like mismatched socks.
Additionally, the National Down Syndrome Society is hosting a virtual race in which participants may run, walk, swim or hike any variation of 3.21, 32.1 or 321 miles representing the three copies of the 21st chromosome.
Down Syndrome occurs when there is an extra copy on the 21st chromosome. Typically a person is born with 46 chromosome, however, a person with Down Syndrome has 47 chromosomes. There are three types of Down Syndrome including Trisomoy 21, the most common form, Translocation, which is genetic, and Mosiac, the rarest type.
“When referring to a person with Down syndrome, it is preferred to use people-first language, instead of using the diagnosis to define that person,” Doran said. “People with Down Syndrome can live a very happy and successful life, just as everyone else.”