March 21st is a magical kind of day.
The date itself is meaningful, which is why it was chosen for World Down Syndrome Day. 3/21 represents the three copies of the 21st chromosome that make up Down syndrome.
But to me, it’s a day for uplifting.
A day to educate.
A day to spread awareness.
And more than anything . . . it’s a day to celebrate!
CELEBRATE Down syndrome.
For those who might not know my story and why this day is so important to my family:
Almost 13 years ago, I was 25. Newly married, with my first baby on the way. The pregnancy was smooth and uneventful. Everything went exactly as planned.
Until it didn’t.
When Anthony was born, he made a grand entrance, along with a surprise that rocked our world.
The room fell into an eerie silence.
Doctors and nurses rushed in.
Voices dropped to whispers.
Eyes shifted in ways I will never forget.
And there he was, this beautiful, pink, squishy, perfect little newborn . . . being studied, and slapped with a label before I even got the chance to hold him.
Down syndrome.
I will spare you just how heavy that moment was.
It was a day I had prepared for and anticipated for nine months, and it was not what it was supposed to be. I was robbed of any sort of happy memory surrounding his birth. Even now, it is hard for me to look back at those pictures. It still hurts. The way his diagnosis was delivered was horrendous, they treated it as more of a death than the beginning of a new life.
And unfortunately, mirroring the mood in the room, fear took complete control.
I was drowning.
Will he ever walk?
Will he graduate high school?
Will he have friends?
What will people say?
How will we tell them?
Why us? Why him?
Will he ever live on his own?
Will he ever get married?
My husband and I were already in the special education field, but nothing prepares you for it becoming your story.
And yet . . . there he was.
After days of heartbreak, after slipping into a deep depression while he remained in the NICU, something began to shift.
Because the truth was simple:
Anthony deserved to be celebrated.
Life changed in the best possible way.
We cheered him on for every little milestone.
We slowed down.
We advocated.
We were proud.
And we found our people.
A community of families and individuals walking a similar path, blessed with Down syndrome. The lucky few.
I jumped in with both feet.
Before long, I started Beautiful Beginnings, a nonprofit under our local Down syndrome organization, the Delaware County Down Syndrome Interest Group. I began creating baskets filled with resources, support, and love, delivering them to families in our area who had just welcomed a baby with Down syndrome. (Which I run with my other half in the DS community, Christa!)
Because those families deserve something different than how our story started.
They deserve connection.
They deserve support.
They deserve celebration, from the very beginning.
https://www.facebook.com/beautifulbeginningsbaskets
I’m sure you’re wondering:
Kelsey, HOW can I celebrate individuals with Down syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day (3/21)?
Well, reader, that’s a fantastic question. I would love to share a few ways to get this awareness party started:
Rock Your Socks
This is one of the most popular ways to celebrate. On World Down Syndrome Day, people wear bright, bold, mismatched socks to spark conversations. It is a simple, visible way to celebrate uniqueness and start important conversations about Down syndrome. Socks, especially when hanging side by side, even resemble chromosomes!
Read and Share Books
Stories are such a powerful way to build understanding and empathy. I’ll share with you some of my favorite picture book recommendations that highlight characters with Down syndrome and celebrate inclusion. Over the years, I’ve read most of them to my kid’s classes for WDSD!
Watch and Learn
There are some incredible videos and short clips that beautifully capture the lives, talents, and perspectives of individuals with Down syndrome. I will be sharing a list of my favorites for you to explore and share with your family.
Learn Something New
Knowledge builds awareness. Below you can find 21 facts about Down syndrome along with additional kid-friendly educational resources. These are perfect for classrooms, families, or anyone wanting to better understand what Down syndrome really is.
Spread Kindness
One of the best ways to celebrate is by making the world a little kinder. Perform a random act of kindness and pass that joy along. Kindness is contagious!
Talk About It
Start conversations. Ask questions. Share what you have learned. The more we talk about Down syndrome, the more we create a world of understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
If you have a special way you celebrate, I would truly love to hear it.
And/or if there is a book about Down syndrome you love and think I would too, please share it in the comments.
Every post, every conversation, every rockin’ pair of socks makes a difference.
I cannot wait to see you all rocking your socks for every incredible individual with Down syndrome this (and every!!) World Down Syndrome Day, 3/21.
Let’s celebrate them loudly 💙💛
