Residents celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with online campaign

Mismatched socks are taking over social media to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.

Tara Hart, the co-organizer of the Waterloo Region Down Syndrome Society, says the campaign is a good way for residents to participate in spreading awareness about Down syndrome in a time of social distancing.

 “I think it's a really fun thing people can do with their families and in a classroom when we're not in self-isolation. It's fun to see all these kids come into a classroom with their colourful, mismatched socks to celebrate their friends with Down syndrome.” said Hart.

To participate, residents can post a picture of their mismatched socks online with the #RockYourSocks and #WDSD20.

Besides wearing mismatched socks, Hart says the WRDSS is also encouraging residents to decorate baked goods in blue and yellow, wear a Down syndrome awareness T-shirt, or throw a silly sock dance party at home.

According to Hart, socks in this campaign symbolize the chromosomes seen in Down syndrome.

“If you look at a karyotype, and when you look at the chromosomes within the karyotype [for people with Down syndrome], they actually do look like colourful, funny, little socks.” said Hart.

“So when we post a picture of colourful socks, we're showing people that different is okay. “

The date of World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, is also symbolic within the Down syndrome community. 

“It represents the people with Down syndrome who have three of the 21 chromosome.” said Hart.

When it comes to education about Down syndrome, Hart says society has come a long way, but there is still more people can do to increase their understanding of the condition.

“People with Down syndrome can learn everything that other people can learn, it just takes them a little longer.” said Hart, “People with Down syndrome have a range of emotions and feel everything we do and people with Down syndrome understand when people limit them and it hurts them, it makes them sad.”

One way residents can increase their understanding is to come out to the WRDSS future events to meet the families within the region's Down syndrome community. 

“Another thing you can do, proactively, mark your calendar for Sunday, September 27 of 2020. That will be our Go 21 Walk for Down Syndrome. and that's an awesome day where we ask the community to join us…we want people from the community to come out and meet our families.” 

For more information about the WRDSS, check out their Facebook page.