World Down Syndrome Day

The Ohrenkuss team writes about many topics: about miracles, fashion, men, women, and sports. Something Ohrenkuss doesn't really write about is Down syndrome.
Why?
Because there are many other things that the authors find more interesting.

On 21st of March, they make an exception.
That is World Down Syndrome Day.
Since 2006 it has been celebrated all around the world.
It is celebrated on that date preciselybecause people with Down syndrome have the 21st chromosome 3 times.
People with Down syndrome usually have 47 chromosomes. people without Down syndrome usually have 46 chromosomes.
On this day people with 47 chromosomes shall have a voice.

What does Carina Kühne, , who writes not just for Ohrenkuss but who also has her own blog, wish for this day?

„Now that the new blood test has been extensively discussed, it would be nice if there were many positive reports about people with Down syndrome."

And she also has a clear opinion on why until now that often hasn't been the case:

„Sometimes I have the feeling that the media doesn't report very positively because that would call current opinion into question.
If people with Down syndrome are able, and can be well integrated into society, then it can't be inferred anymore that it would be unreasonable for mothers to carry such a child, and even this blood test would have to be further questioned.“

Anna-Maria Schomburg also wishes for a change:

„There are often mothers who abort their baby that has a disability because they see the problems it has!
People with Down syndrome are exactly as valuable as the others!
It is better with a baby with Down syndrome to receive support than to abort it! People with handicap as well as people without handicap are equally valuable and are loved exactly the same by their parents!“

Many people believe that people with Down syndrome have a disease.
Julia Bertmann, remote correspondent from Mülheim at the Ruhr, offers this correction:

„Down syndrome is no disease.
I have to live with it - you don't."

Precisely.
People with Down syndrome are only sick if they have chickenpox.
Or a cold.
What do you do then?
Björn Langenfeld offers this remedy:

„When sick, I have to give injection.“

Daniel Rauers doesn't have a cold:

„If the people had Down syndrome, then they're disabled.“

Correct. His colleague Verena Günnel adds:

„Down syndrome is not easy.
Every person without Down syndrome, you have to explain how Down syndrome is.
Other people need people with Down syndrome just the same.
Each person should take it nice and politely towards people with Down syndrome.
And so we want to celebrate Down Syndrome Day - we also have to, because it is so important!“

What happens on that day Julia Bertmann reveals:

„World Down Syndrome Day is a day for people that have Down syndrome.
And on that day they can talk more than usually."

Verena Elisabeth Turin, long distance correspondent from Italy agrees it is good that the day exists:

„I am very happy though I have Down syndrome. And I don't suffer from it.
It's good for me that one day is for Down syndrome.
Yes - we live too.“

She also knows who first wrote about Down syndrome:

„A man who is a doctor has discovered Down syndrome in us

That doctor's name is John Langdon Down.

When you look around the Ohrenkuss editorial office in Bonn you might get the same impression as Marc Lohmann has:

„Every person has Down syndrome.
Every person has disability.
Even when we sit here.
Here are also some with having Down syndrome.
Well, many.“

And how do you recognise people with Down syndrome? Angela Fritzen dictates

„The look of people with Down syndrome, that's why these people have Down syndrome.
I don't know, whether you know that?“

Verena Elisabeth Turin Describes it in more detail:

„We have slanted eyes and I'm ashamed of that.
I would love to take my glasses off and show my face.
Hooray - we are all here.“

And there are other special, distinguishing features:

„Some of us have on the palm of our hand another life line.
Me I have 2 lines on the palms of my hands.
And also our movements, have smooth hair, reactions, and so on. We stand out because we're in a group.“

Martin Weser sees another commonality for people with Down syndrome:

„They are special.“

And Anna-Lotta Mentzendorff appreciates,

„that every person is different and nonetheless is really great.“

Ruth Schilling, a young Ohrenkuss up-and-coming author, writes:

„DOWN SYNDROME IS BEAUTIFUL.
AND DOWN SYNDROME FOR OTHERS DON'T KNOW I CAME FROM THE MOON OR I FELL FROM THE HEAVENS.“

Julia Bertmann is more pragmatic:

„We have only one thing in common:
We get in discounted, half price tickets, to the cinema and the theatre.
In reality we can only benefit.“

Her closing remarks on World Down Syndrome Day?

„Even having Down syndrome, we belong.“

Why do the people wear different socks in the photo?

There was a great event for the World Down Syndrome Day 2013.
People from Lebanon had the idea.

They wished: Many people should wear socks that don't match on that day.
Stripey socks, colourful socks, different socks, no socks, long socks, short socks, multiple socks one on top of the other ...
The event's motto was: „We are all different – our socks should be too!“