Trisomy 21 is the type of Down Syndrome (DS) in about 95% of people with DS. In this type of Down Syndrome, each cell in the body has three separate copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two copies. Hence, each year World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is declared for the 21st day of the third month.

Each year families with a member having Down Syndrome, or those connected to those families, celebrate in different ways. ‘Crazy Socks’ is a campaign where folks wear brightly coloured or mismatched socks as a symbol of the extra chromosome. When you wear your ‘crazy’ socks, they aren’t meant to be hidden. Instead, they are intended to start a conversation and raise awareness.

The theme for WDSD 2025 is ‘Improve Our Support Systems’ both for people with Down Syndrome and for everyone with a disability. Think about what ‘improved supports’ means. Everyone needs support sometimes and people with Down syndrome need support to live and be included in the community, like everyone else. Families also need support, as they are often supporting their family member with Down Syndrome.

Support is a key human right that helps make other rights possible. The support that is needed is different for each person. Everyone should have the right to supports that meets their needs and gives them choice, control and dignity. People with Down Syndrome should not expect less.

Many people with Down Syndrome around the world don’t get the support they need and many countries do not have support systems that meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families. Often the support systems they have do not respect the human rights of people with disabilities or what is often referred to as special abilities.

We are fortunate in BC that there are support systems, but they still need to be improved and accessible to all those that need them. There is still room for governments to improve support to ensure people with disabilities are included in the community. Improved support helps with assistive technology, better health care, transportation and housing costs.

Find an opportunity to relay the message to your government representatives that people with DS and other disabilities should have choices and control over the support they receive. 

The Thompson Nicola Ups and Downs Society (TNUDS) is a local organization whose members are persons and families with DS, or who have a person with DS in their family. TNUDS members get together to engage in fun activities like bowling or other games, and celebrate WDSD or Canadian Downs Syndrome week (last week of October). Many of our members with DS are active in Special Olympics, a very supportive international organization.

Supportive environments help to prepare all today’s children for life as tomorrows adults, enabling adults with DS to live, work and join-in with confidence and independence, fully included in our communities alongside their friends and peers.

Tell your friends, family, and colleagues at work about WDSD and encourage them to be supportive of other people with special abilities by supporting a person or family who could use assistance with daily living tasks and or help promote their independence.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day. For more information check out the Thompson Nicola Ups and Downs Society Facebook or email [email protected]

David Ralph is the president of the local Down Syndrome Society Thompson Nicola Ups and Downs Society (TNUDS)