World Down Syndrome day is March 21. Why March 21? The reason is because when Down Syndrome occurs there is a third copy of the 21st chromosome hence 3/21.

When we learned our son had Down Syndrome in the first trimester, we were told it was unlikely he would survive to full term. He had a cystic hygroma that went from his neck to hips. He had a hole in his heart and fluid on his lungs. We were told all the negative things about Down Syndrome if he did survive. Not only did he survive, but he is thriving.

Through family and community support our son is already an incredibly bright and wonderful person.
We always said that we wouldn’t raise him any differently than our daughter, that we wouldn’t limit him and we would let him show us what he could do.

He continually surprises us with his problem solving skills, sense of humour, abundance of energy and charming personality.

Our biggest hopes for Grayson is that others are able to see Grayson as this beautiful boy before they see the boy with Down syndrome. We have heard people say “oh your son has special needs”. Truth of the matter is, his needs are the same things as everyone else; love acceptance, nurturing to realize his full potential.

It’s important to see the ability not the disability in individuals with Down Syndrome.

They are competitors in the Special Olympics, actors in the film industry (on Sunday, James Martin became the first person with Down Syndrome to win an Oscar for his role in An Irish Goodbye), entrepreneurs with coffee shops and clothing brands, models, and faces within the art scene…

To learn more about Down Syndrome check out the links below:
Down Syndrome Resource Foundation
World Down Syndrome Day

Andrew Marles
Assistant Location Manager