To celebrate World Down Syndrome Day we're looking at some of the viral videos, positive messages and trending tweets going out on March 21st.
World Down Syndrome Day 2018
RTÉ Weather welcomed two new presenters to mark World Down Syndrome Day, namely Emer Macken and Patrick Becker, below, who are helping out with the daily forecasts.
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The theme of World Down Syndrome Day 2018 is 'Lots of Socks'. Those taking part will wear bright, colourful, patterned or mismatched socks that they can post pictures of to social media with #LotsOfSocks.
The point of wearing these colourful socks is so that someone will ask you about your colourful choice and you can use the opportunity to raise awareness of World Down Syndrome Day with them.
Plenty of photos have been shared worldwide, including some famous faces...
Dr Who Cast
@DrWhoOnline wonderful cast supporting World Down Syndrome Day today .Please share . #WDSD18 #LotsOfSocks pic.twitter.com/ViafaeIhO1
— Shabang Theatre (@shabangtheatre) March 21, 2018
Sally Phillips
Odd girls in odd socks. #lotsofsocks #wdsd18 @dsainfo @dontscreenusout pic.twitter.com/Fq5JAaeOB7
— Sally Phillips (@sallyephillips) March 21, 2018
In the UK, a heart-warming carpool karaoke lip sync video featuring 50 mothers and their children was filmed to promote Down Syndrome Awareness with the message #WouldntChangeAThing.
The video got a huge reaction and even got a seal of approval from James Cordon, the King of Carpool Karaoke.
This is the most beautiful Carpool Karaoke. It made me cry. #wouldntchangeathing x https://t.co/56CwvSXY87
— James Corden (@JKCorden) March 16, 2018
The families all lip-synced to Christina Perri's A Thousand Years and it seems that the singer was delighted to be featured.
THIS IS THE BEST!!!!
— christina perri (@christinaperri) March 16, 2018
i’m so honored they chose my song!
my heart is so full!!!#wouldntchangeathing #WDSD2018
💜https://t.co/AA5bPsarU6
#WDSD Ireland
Closer to home, Down Syndrome Ireland has launched a photography exhibition celebrating the adult Down Syndrome community. The exhibition aims to challenge perceptions of Down Syndrome in society.
The Who Am I? exhibition will be launched this evening (Wednesday, 21st) in the Powerscourt Centre in Dublin city centre and will run until April 30th. For more information, visit downsyndrome.ie.
In the Phoenix Park, the annual 'Purple Run' will once again take place in order to encourage everyone to 'Run with us, not for us'. The all-inclusive event is open to those of all abilities who can choose to run, walk or push a buggy over the 5km and 1km routes. For more info, click here.
What is Down syndrome?
A syndrome is a collection of several symptoms and signs that usually occur together. Down syndrome occurs when there is one extra copy of chromosome 21 in cells in the body and it is one of the most common congenital chromosomal abnormalities.
There are three types of Down syndrome:
- Trisomy 21 (95%) extra number 21 chromosomes in every cell.
- Translocation (3-5%) extra chromosome 21 is attached to another chromosome in every cell
- Mosaic (1-2 %) mixture of cells, some with an extra chromosome 21 and normal cells.
