He World Down Syndrome Day It is celebrated on March 21 of each year; Since 2011, the UN General Assembly decreed this date with the purpose of raising awareness and remembering the contributions of people with intellectual disabilities, as well as to highlight the importance of their individual autonomy and independence.
What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that arises when abnormal cell division occurs, thus generating a full or partial copy of chromosome 21. According to MayoClinicthe severity is different for each individual, it causes intellectual disability and developmental delays and is the most common cause of learning disabilities in children.
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Some of the main characteristics that people with Down syndrome have are:
- flattened face
- Small head
- Short neck
- protruding tongue
- Wide, short hands with a single crease in the palm
- Relatively short fingers, and small hands and feet
- Excessive flexibility
- Small white spots in the colored part of the eye (iris) called “Brushfield spots”
- Short stature
- Upward tilted eyelids (palpebral fissures)
- Small or unusual shaped ears
- Poor muscle tone
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Photo: INSABI
Why is Down Syndrome Day celebrated on March 21?
It was in December 2011, when the UN General Assembly designated March 21 as the official date to commemorate International Down Syndrome Day with the aim of remembering and applauding the “contributions of people with intellectual disabilities as promoters of welfare”.
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The estimated incidence of Down syndrome worldwide is between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 1,100 newborns. According to the UN, at the beginning of the 20th century, those affected were expected to live less than 10 years, and nearly 80% of adults who suffer from it exceed the age of 50.
By 2024, the UN calls on world populations to end stereotypes once morest people who have Down syndrome.
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Photo: INSABI Why are different colored socks worn on March 21?
Chloe Lennon, pioneer of the Rock Your Socks movement, starred in a video that went viral on all social networks and the internet in 2018, where she asked people around the world to take to the streets wearing rock socks on March 21. colors, uneven or different shapes in order to celebrate people with Down syndrome.
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Lennon’s call went around the world and since then it has been supported by associations, the UN and thousands of people internationally, and he is also known by the legend; “We want the world to talk regarding World Down Syndrome Day!”
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