March 17th 2023

Saint Lucia joins the World in observing World Down Syndrome Day

by Ministry of Education

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated annually on 21st March to raise awareness and promote understanding of Down syndrome. The date was chosen because Down syndrome is caused by the presence of a third copy of the 21st chromosome, and the date 3/21 represents this genetic will condition.

To commemorate the day, The Special Education Unit of the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training invites the public to join the ‘Rock your Socks’ Campaign on Tuesday, March 21st, 2023. Everyone is encouraged to wear socks that do not match on that day. The intention is to get people talking about Down syndrome in an effort to create awareness. The public are also encouraged to post your pictures on your social media pages with the hashtags #RockYourSocks, #SpecialEducationSLU and #WithUsNotForUs.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. Typically, human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, but individuals with Down syndrome have a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21, which results in a total of 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.

This year, for World Down Syndrome Day the theme is ‘With us not for us.’ This theme emphasizes the importance of involving individuals with this developmental disability in the design and implementation of programs and policies that affect their lives. The principle recognizes that people with disabilities have a unique perspective on their own needs and experiences and their participation and leadership are critical for achieving meaningful and lasting change.

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