The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

World Down Syndrome Day

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day.

Down’s Syndrome is a genetic disorder. Human beings have over 25,000 genes, organised into 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 chromosomes in total). People with Down’s Syndrome have a 3rd chromosome attached to their 21st pair (making 47 chromosomes in total). It is this chromosomal difference that defines the condition.

With this 3rd chromosome being attached to the 21st pair, DS is sometimes referred to as Trisomy 21 (there are other conditions known as Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18 where the 3rd chromosome is attached to a different pair, and this causes a different set of complications).

And so, because 3 and 21 are significant numbers, the 21st day of the 3rd month each year has been adopted as World Down Syndrome Day.

Those who know us personally, or have been following this blog for any length of time, will be aware that my 15-year-old daughter, Meg, has Down’s Syndrome.

This week Meg has been off school with quite a horrible cold. She’s on the mend, but I don’t think she’ll be back there this week.

However, on the plus side it meant she was available for me to take her photo this morning for this blog post



For those interested, you can find my DS related posts by clicking here or by selecting Down’s Syndrome from the Find your favourite topics list on the side bar.

And for those who would like to see some exquisitely beautiful, smiling faces of children with DS, then pop over to Conny Wenk’s site and look at the wee video she has put up today in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day:

http://connywenk.com/blog/2013/03/happy_world_down_syndrome_day_4.html

11 comments

Anonymous said...

OMG, what a STUNNING image of Meg!!! Love it!!!! And thank you so much for your link!!!
Much love to you and your family, as always
Conny

Kateri Von Steal said...

Great shot. I love her attitude in it. She really shines through the picture!

Unknown said...

Love this picture and love the look of your blog and it's new name. Awesome.

Anonymous said...

fantastic photo of your Meg!!!

love the new name for your blog...it buzzed my brain

visited Conny and watched the video...I love seeing all the Dads...back in the day when I worked (as an aide) with children with Downs...Dads were pretty much absent...so happy the world has changed!

hope said...

Sending good thoughts that Meg feels better soon!

In the meantime, I always enjoy photos of her: her eyes should be the definition of "kind and wise".

mapstew said...

Lovely Meg! :¬)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photograph!

Kim Ayres said...

Conny - I love the wee video you did - a lovely selection of your wonderful photos :)

Kateri - thank you :)

Carole - thank you on both accounts :)

Theanne - thank you :)

Hope - she's definitely on the mend, thank you :)

Mapstew - thanks :)

Allen - thank you :)

neena said...

Hi Meg, you sure know how to dress well when you have a cold
:-D What a great photo. Niiiice clothes. Hope you feel better soon.

Kim, I've never told many people this, I used to be a volunteer in the Special Olympics. Long story how I got involved.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Oh...that's me, how did I sign in as 'neena'?

Kim Ayres said...

Guyana-Gyal - I did wonder who Neena was - she spoke with familiarity, but I didn't recognise the name. Perhaps you were using another computer where the previous person hadn't signed out, or maybe one of your many aliases has been inadvertantly revealed :)

Either way, I'd happily read your long story some time :)

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