Community Corner

Celebrating Uniqueness: March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day

Celebrate Differences founder Rebecca Christiansen is working to support families of children with disabilities, and dispel myths about Down syndrome.

If you see brightly colored socks around Oswego on Friday, there's a good reason.

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, a global awareness day first officially observed by the United Nations in 2012. The day is dedicated to raising awareness of what Down syndrome is, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our communities.

Rebecca Christiansen, founder and executive director of Celebrate Differences in Oswego, said the March 21 date itself is significant.

"It signifies the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome" in people with Down syndrome, she said. 

Christiansen founded Celebrate Differences, 5375 Route 34, after the birth of her sons, fraternal twins Kyle and Ryan. While Ryan has Down syndrome, Christiansen discovered that for all their differences, the boys were very much alike.

That's one fact about Down syndrome Christensen said she hopes to share on World Down Syndrome Day.

"That's what I really want people to know," she said. "They have the same wants and needs as everyone else — they just may have to do something different to obtain those goals."

Though people with Down syndrome can struggle with learning disabilities, "If you set the standards higher, these individuals are capable of so much more," Christiansen said.

She also said she wants to dispel a popular myth: That people with Down syndrome have angelic, sunny dispositions at all times.

"That's really a misconception," she said. "They have emotions like everyone else."

Christiansen started Celebrate Differences in 2007 as a way to offer support to families who have a children with disabilities and to celebrate their abilities.

"We really realized there were not a lot of resources in the Kendall County area," she said. 

Celebrate Differences offers parents support groups and get-togethers, as well as playgroups for kids, a young adult book club, parent and sibling workshops, and more.

"We try to offer something for every age group," Christiansen said. "It's more about socialization."

One way some people are spreading the word about the uniqueness of people with Down syndrome is by wearing colored socks, she said.

While no special events were scheduled for World Down Syndrome Day, Christiansen Celebrate Differences is encouraging community members to take part in the day by raising awareness.

For more information on Celebrate Differences, visit the website, email info@celebratedifferences.org, check out the Facebook page or call 630-885-3006.

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