How do you see yourself?

Today, March 21 is World Down Syndrome day (WDSD).  There is significance to the date chosen - 21st day of the 3rd month which represents the trisomy of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

In 2011, the UN General Assembly designated March 21 as World Down syndrome day to be observed to raise public awareness of Down syndrome. 

I am the proud mom of 3 kids and my middle child - my lovely 20 year old daughter - has Down syndrome.

My daughter is in high school and dreams of one day attending college to study music as well as tour with her favorite group, Celtic Woman.  She plays the violin and takes ballet.  

She loves her friends and her family.  She is a woman with a schedule - lunch with mom on Saturdays and picnics with mom on Sundays.  She and her dad have their favorite restaurant where the staff knows her name and her favorite food.

In recognition and celebration of WDSD, CoorDown - an organization that advocates for people with DS, released this video titled "How Do You See Me?"

It is worth just a few minutes of your time to watch.  The narrator is AnnaRose, a 19 year old college student from NJ, provides the voice over and describes her hopes, dreams and challenges.   The video presents a series of everyday life scenes acted by Olivia Wilde.   Please watch it all the way through to the end. 

This is text about the video from youtube: 

Let's change the way we look at people with Down syndrome. AnnaRose is a nineteen year old from NJ. She's a full time college student who works part-time at a physical therapy center and enjoys basketball and swimming through the Special Olympics NJ. AnnaRose, as many people with Down syndrome, only wants to realize her potential and live a meaningful, beautiful life.

Is there anyone in your life that has Down syndrome?

Happy Stitching!