What Is Down Syndrome Awareness Day?

21 March is observed as Down Syndrome Awareness Day. On this day, which aims to raise awareness about Down Syndrome, many people research questions related to the condition. So what is Down Syndrome? Why is 21 March celebrated as Down Syndrome Awareness Day? 21 March Down Syndrome Awareness Day serves as a day to raise awareness about Down Syndrome and to draw attention to solutions that can be implemented to help individuals with Down Syndrome gain greater inclusion in social life. Today, events are being organized throughout Turkey to inform the public, and the population is being educated about helping individuals with Down Syndrome integrate into social life.

How Was Down Syndrome Awareness Day Established?

In 2011, it was designated by the United Nations to increase sensitivity regarding Down Syndrome. On this day, a "shared awareness" movement began with people wearing socks in different colors, with individuals with Down Syndrome also participating. Many companies also sell socks they designed in different colors and donate the proceeds to support the education of individuals with Down Syndrome.

What Is Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome is a chromosomal anomaly. While an ordinary person's body contains 46 chromosomes, individuals with Down Syndrome have 47 chromosomes in their bodies. Down Syndrome, which is a genetic difference rather than a disease requiring treatment, occurs when an extra chromosome appears in the 21st chromosome pair as a result of incorrect division during cell division. Advanced maternal age is known as the single factor contributing to Down Syndrome. The risk of this anomaly is higher in pregnancies of women over 35 years of age. However, since younger mothers are in the majority, 75-80 percent of individuals with Down Syndrome are children of younger mothers.

What Are the Characteristics of Individuals with Down Syndrome?

In Down Syndrome, which also creates physical differences, most individuals have slanted eyes, a flat nose, thick neck folds, a curved little finger, and widely spaced toes. Several or all of these features may be observed in individuals with Down Syndrome. At the same time, individuals with this chromosomal anomaly are typically shorter than their peers and, due to their slow metabolism, can gain weight more easily. Because they have hypotonia, a condition of muscle laxity, they may require physiotherapy, and starting this therapy at an early age is quite important. Babies with Down Syndrome grow more slowly than their peers and their mental development also lags behind. However, with appropriate educational programs, individuals with Down Syndrome can easily adapt to life and achieve success. In this regard, a regular and disciplined educational program with frequent repetition is one of the most important elements.   Source