Special thanks to contributor Lauren Radwan, Waterville Intervention Specialist
Students and staff at Waterville Primary School celebrated World Down Syndrome Day by learning about the condition and having a lot of fun in mismatched, colorful socks. World Down Syndrome Day is held on March 21st an annual day of awareness to advocate for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people who have Down Syndrome.
March 21 or 3/21 is significant because people with Down Syndrome have three copies of the 21st chromosome, while most people only have two. Students also learned that people with Down Syndrome may need a little extra time or help with their work, but they have a lot of the same interests and abilities as other people. They like to learn, dance to music, play outside, make friends and spend time with animals too!
While blue and yellow are the official colors used to promote Down Syndrome Awareness, people are also encouraged to wear bright, colorful and mismatched socks to brighten our world celebrate the many ways we are alike and different. The idea to #RockYourSocks also originated from the images of genes, called karyotypes, that doctors use to diagnose Down Syndrome, because they resemble pairs of striped socks.
The message of the day was to be inclusive and accepting of others that are different from you and to celebrate the differences that make us all unique.