Education of Children

Down syndrome (DS), or Trisomy 21 is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health. Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programmes and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of the individual. Each year, on this symbolic date of March 21, persons concerned by DS organise demonstrations, scientific, social and /or medical meetings, exchange their knowledge as well as their requests at the national, European and international levels. On March 21, 2006, professor Stylianos E. Antonarakis , from University of Geneva Medical School, suggested to ART21 , an association of parents from Swiss Allemanic regions concerned by DS, to organize a manifestation on March 21 in Geneva. On December 20, 2007, WHO recognized March 21 as th...

School: The tiny twins are starting at a mainstream school Every child is special, and Jodi and Matt Parry know that even better than most parents. They are mum and dad to identical twin girls, Abigail and Isobel, who also have Down’s syndrome – the chances of which are two MILLION to one. “Sorry” The adorable four-year-olds were diagnosed with Down's syndrome three weeks after their premature birth on 29 th June 2011. Parents, Matt and Jodi, admit they first thought this was "a life sentence" - but now devote their lives to busting myths and misconceptions around the genetic condition. The first words the doctor said to them when they received the news were: “I’m sorry”.   Mum, Jodi, says she was daunted when she heard her babies had Down's syndrome but once they were born she realised they were no different. Jodi says: “The day our twin girls were diagnosed with Down’s syndrome it felt like a life sentence. That day, I didn’t feel like a mother. I just felt lost ...