Part of this means we work to inform and spread awareness. We all have our experiences that make us who we are, and sometimes we need a little help to understand the experiences of others, sometimes even those in our own families.
So for this reason, we embrace the many days of awareness throughout the year like today, and we hope you’ll join us in spreading the word as we join in with the local, national and international conversations.
According to the website worlddownsyndromeday.org (WDSD), Down Syndrome International is focusing on:
“Health and Wellbeing - Access and Equality for All”
All people with Down syndrome have the right to access healthcare when required on an equal basis with others without discrimination and with proper assessment of the specific health needs of the individual. We will be highlighting that:
- Having Down syndrome does not make a person unhealthy.
- Down syndrome is a genetic condition, not an illness.
- People with Down syndrome may have health issues throughout their lives, just like everyone else and they should have access to healthcare on an equal basis with others.
- There are specific known health issues which may affect people with Down syndrome, for which accurate, evidence based information is available.
- Health professionals should be aware of these specific issues when treating a person with Down syndrome.
- Health professionals should not discriminate against people with Down syndrome by:
Best,
- a. refusing to treat them
- b. blaming health issues on Down syndrome in general
- c. or considering only specific known health issues which may affect people with Down syndrome.
T. Bartlett
PR Manager & Story Writer
