March 21 marks World Down Syndrome Day
1 March 2014 marks the World Down Syndrome Day. Each year approximately 3,000 - 5,000 children are born with Down syndrome. On 19 December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day. The General Assembly decided to "designate 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day, to be observed every year beginning in 2012. Down Syndrome International invites everyone across the world to wear lots of socks on 21 March 2014 to raise awareness on WDSD. Those can be brightly coloured socks, long socks, printed socks, 1 sock…maybe even 3 socks for 3 chromosomes. On this day, people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world organize and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome. The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome in Armenia are treated in Arabkir and Arbes medical centres, as well as in Children's Rehabilitation Centres, inclusive nurseries and schools. However, our society still holds a discriminatory attitude towards these children. Proper and timely treatment and the change in the public attitude will greatly contribute to the integration of these children into the society.
