March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
March 21 was designated World Down Syndrome Day on November 10, 2011, under the auspices of the United Nations.
This day has been celebrated in most countries of the world, including Georgia since 2012. The establishment of World Down Syndrome Day is caused by the stigmas and stereotypes about people with Down Syndrome around the world.
The aim of today is to inform the public about Down Syndrome, to protect the rights of people with Down Syndrome, and to ensure their participation in active life. Today children with Down Syndrome usually go to kindergartens and schools, are involved in creativity and sports.
Down syndrome is a genetic change. This syndrome was first described in the 19th century by the English physician J. Down. Children with this syndrome are born with extra chromosomes. They have 47 chromosomes instead of 46 (chromosome 21 trisomy).
Pupils of the Georgian-American School of Batumi prepared and presented an informative presentation on the occasion.
The aim of the information activity is to establish people with Down Syndrome as full citizens in the society.