WORLD DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY

21/03/2006

Today is World Down's Syndrome Awareness Day.  The 21st day of the third month was chosen to represent the three copies of chromosome 21 which cause Down's syndrome.  The UK Down's Syndrome Association has marked the occasion by filming clips for Down Syndrome International (DSI) and the European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA).  The first clip, for DSI, explains some of the history of our surroundings here at the Langdon Down Centre; that it was built by Dr John Langdon Down (after whom Down's syndrome was named) and about the pioneering work he did with people with learning disabilities in Victorian times.  The second clip, for EDSA, follows Kate, a young woman with Down's syndrome, as she goes to work.  It aims to show people around the world what life is like for someone with Down's syndrome in the UK.  Click here to view a compilation of different clips from around the world, organised by our friends at the Netherlands' Down Syndrome Association, which will go live at 2pm on 21st March.