Today is the World Down Syndrome Day

Many organizations that support people with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) are celebrating the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome in honor of the World Down Syndrome Day. This include our local Down syndrome Parents Support Group, that has become very popular among other communities due to the great support and sense of community. They are having a party today to celebrate the world Down syndrome day as well as celebrating the birthday of 3 little ones with Down syindrome. I won't be able to attend, but I will be with them in heart.

Even when there are testing and screening that are forcing parents to make a imposed decision of termination of the pregnancy.  I don't judge them because the medical community makes a lot of pressure, this is the reason we were firm since the beginning and we told that we loved our unborn baby, regardless the results. So we just wanted to make sure our son would have the proper care as soon as he was born if something was wrong. Unfortunately, this is not how many people take it. But regardless all the high rates of termination of pregnancies, some how these kids bring us together. These kids bring the best of all of us. These kids prove to us the impossible can be possible. These kids have made the world united to celebrate that they are part of our life. 

The European Down Syndrome Association and Down Syndrome International were the ones who proposed the World Down Syndrome Day on the 21st day of the 3rd month as a symbolic manner of representing the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome that causes Down Syndrome. So the world began to celebrate this date since 2006. Howsoever, it was until December 19, 2011 when the United Nations declared officially March 21st as the World Down syndrome Day. Yes, it is a celebration around the globe! You can visit the World Down Syndrome Day website and find what events are hosting near you to celebrate (Panama has 4 events and the United States has 16 events). 

We are so proud of Tommy. His extra chromosome is part of him, but it is not who he is.  He is funny, regardless his developmental challenges that have gotten worse in the last past two years. He is a cute kid, the futures of the extra chromosome blend in really good with the heritage facial futures from mommy's genes (That kid looks a lot like his mama).  He adores his little bother and it is so cute when he says "brother" and hugs Francis. Since he was a newborn, there was not doubt that there was a special connection between him and daddy. Today that connection between them is getting stronger. Everyday I notice something positive or he says something I have heard before. He is blooming! 

HAPPY WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY!