Down Syndrome Awareness
"Many people with Down's syndrome are having their services cut by local authorities," says Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down Syndrome Association in the UK. "Our guide explains in clear language ways that caregivers of people with Down's syndrome can lobby their MPs and local authorities to obtain the services they are entitled to." In addition to creating Down syndrome awareness and lobbying local government officials, the DSA also hopes to empower adults with Down syndrome to understand that each person can make a difference with his or her life. In America, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) does much the same thing, while offering a compendium of local services to help families out.
The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is "to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy." They feel that everyone has the right to reach their potential and that people with Down syndrome should have the opportunity to make choices affecting their lives. Part of Down syndrome knowledge is pushing for better educational programs to help children with Down syndrome achieve their goals. Through the organization, parents can collect valuable resources and connect with local support groups. Down syndrome children can link up with local programs sponsored in part by NDSS, where they can foster a love of art, music or sports and gain the necessary tools to live a relatively independent life.
Each year, the Special Olympics serve as a beacon of light for Down syndrome awareness and instills hope in families of the developmentally disabled. This international nonprofit organization offers year-round sports programs focused on Down syndrome children and adults. This epic event serves as a source of self esteem, confidence building and pride for 2.5 million people with intellectual disabilities. Their site, www.specialolympics.org, mentions the benefits of their athletic programs, stating: "They grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but 'their voices' as well."
Down Syndrome Awareness has brought great medical advances in just thirty short years. Every day doctors are learning more and more about how the condition works genetically, as therapists learn better techniques for teaching the developmentally disabled. Perhaps one day there will be a pre-natal treatment to remove the extra genetic material on chromosome 21, or perhaps children and adults with Down syndrome will just become more valued by society, thanks to organizations, methods of inclusion and awareness campaigns.
Related topics about down syndrome awareness
people with down syndrome
All people with Down syndrome can't be expected to be math wizards or complete high school social studies exams. However, early integration for Down syndrome children is extremely important in helping them achieve successes and set realistic goals. Being exposed to many different subjects and hobbies is also important, as Down syndrome research suggests, since many are prodigies in art or music.
fragile x syndrome
Fragile X syndrome occurs when a person's cells do not produce the FMRP protein. The genetic code for how to synthesize this protein is carried on the X chromosome, so men (who carry an X and a Y chromosome) can produce the protein only if there is a stable gene on their X chromosome telling their body how to do so. Women (who have XX chromosomes) may carry stable FMR1 on both chromosomes, resulting in normal protein production, while others carry one mutated X and one normal X (resulting in mild impairments, some protein production) and others still carry double mutated genes (which means there is no protein production).
down syndrome genetic
One in 1,000 American babies is born with the Down syndrome genetic condition, although it is estimated that 90% of the mothers who receive an early diagnosis choose abortion. There are many fallacies about people with Down syndrome that scare parents into making a rash decision. Most adults with Down syndrome live independently, marry, have jobs and live past their fifties nowadays.