Today is World Down Syndrome Day and this year’s focus is: What does inclusion mean?
As you think about your daily life, whether at work, school, or in the community:
- Are you included?
- Are there obstacles that limit or prevent that inclusion?
- Are you able to participate with peers or are things segregated?
People with a diagnosis of Down syndrome want to be included alongside others. They want to have friends, participate in sports, learn with their peers, and contribute to making their community better.
Promoting inclusion can be introducing yourself and your children when you see a new family in the neighborhood so they can be included in the fun. It could mean adjusting how a lesson is taught to allow for visual, auditory, and even kinesthetic (or hands-on) learning. Or it could be considering accessibility for all members of the community when designing a new playground area.
Here are just a few people, through being a self-advocate, are raising awareness and promoting inclusion:
Sofia Sanchez – an author (http://www.sofia-sanchez.com/)
Chris Nikic – an athlete in the Iron Man triathlon (https://chrisnikic.com/)
Zack Gottsagen – an actor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Gottsagen)
Nancy and Gigi Gianni – started a non-profit (https://gigisplayhouse.org/)
John Lee Cronin – owns his own business (https://johnscrazysocks.com/)
Karen Gaffney – speaker and started a non-profit (who also swam the English Channel) (https://karengaffneyfoundation.org/)
Much has been done to promote inclusion, but more is still needed.
Below is a link to an amazing TED talk by Karen Gaffney who believes that Down syndrome IS a life worth living Well worth listening to!
Thank you for being on this journey with us, shedding a different light on disabilities!
1 Corinthians 12:22-27
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