Down syndrome: why are “sunny children” born?
About Down Syndrome – a genetic abnormality, heard each of us. It is today, March 21, that the international community celebrates the International Day of People with this Disease. Every seven hundredth person in the world is born with Down syndrome. In Ukraine, more than 400 “solar children” are born every year – this is also what babies with this disease are called. These are really bright and open children who can be full members of society, but often face discrimination. Therefore, today you can become a member of the flash mob yourself, wearing different colored or striped socks and expressing your support for the “sunny people”.
Is it possible to avoid the development of Down syndrome in a child?
Genetic diseases occur due to mutations in the genome, that is, changes occur in certain cells. Down’s disease is named after the English medical doctor John Down, who first described the syndrome. In the case of this disease, 47 chromosomes are inherited by the child instead of 46; in the 21st pair of chromosomes, the child inherits not two, but three copies. People with this syndrome have a characteristic appearance: slanting eyes, flat neck, short neck.
You can not have immediate relatives with genetic diseases, lead a healthy lifestyle and not have bad habits, but still the child can be born with this disease. Of course, the risk factors for which such “breakdowns” occur in the genetic material of the parents are present. This is a bad environment, stress, bad habits, uncontrolled medication, various diseases that occurred during pregnancy, age, etc.
“Sunny child” is not always a sentence
Unfortunately, the level of discrimination of people with Down syndrome in Ukraine is quite high and the word “Down” is often used as offensive. The degree of mental retardation in children with Down syndrome can be from severe to minor: such people are easily socialized under a number of conditions. With proper rehabilitation, “sunny kids” can not only serve themselves, but also master the school curriculum, achieve success in sports, music, get a profession and work.
In European developed countries, socialization of people with Down syndrome is more successful: they are already entering higher education institutions and receiving higher education. In Ukraine, such a person is one. IQ of people with Down syndrome varies from 20 to 75 units, while IQ from 70 units is considered the norm – for “sunny children” with proper care, rehabilitation and training, there are very good chances to become a full member of society. If not for prejudice.
Flashmob Lots of Socks and what exactly can each of us
A kind of symbol of the Day of People with Down Syndrome became multi-colored socks, dressed outside the set on different legs: people put them on to feel the surprised looks of others and understand what it is like to constantly experience the close attention of other people. The truth is now wearing socks of different colors or with different patterns has become a trend: but try it for yourself, even if you are not a fashionista or a fashionista. Surely they will look at you ambiguously or even make a comment. Flashmob is also popular on social networks: people post their photos in different socks with the hashtag #lotsofsocks.
If this is too radical a method for you, today is the day when you can learn more about Down Syndrome by visiting an event, taking a brochure from a volunteer or studying the information yourself. So you will know yourself and be able to tell others that “sunny people” are not dangerous, are not to blame for their illness, and need our tolerant attitude towards them. And expectant mothers and pregnant women gynecologists advise not only to lead a healthy lifestyle, but also be sure to undergo a timely examination of the genetics during pregnancy. This diagnosis helps to recognize the pathology of the fetus in the early stages and take appropriate measures.
