Changing the Narrative – World Down Syndrome Day 2025
Twelve years ago, I didn’t know the importance of 3/21, World Down Syndrome Day. I knew a few people with a child with Down syndrome and a few individuals with a Down syndrome diagnosis. Still, I certainly didn’t have a newsfeed at the time that was filled with posts of acceptance, advocacy, and celebration of those with Down syndrome as it looks now.
What I have learned in the past decade is that individuals with Down syndrome are oftentimes overlooked, excluded, and not accepted in society. This understanding has been impacted by a little boy who surprised me with his extra 21st chromosome. We’ve experienced firsthand the assumptions, denial, and discrimination based on a person’s lack of empathy, understanding, and willingness to learn from someone who is different from them. Jack has taught me to value people simply for who they are, not for what they do. He reminds me daily that the power of words can make a significant impact on how we see others. I understand that everyone in society doesn’t have the unique perspective that I have of being a parent raising a child with Down syndrome. But I am hopeful that we don’t need a lived experience to speak up for what is right.
A day like World Down Syndrome Day gives us an opportunity to change the narrative. Our lives are better because of people with Down syndrome and we desire a world where they are accepted, valued, and celebrated, not feared. Jack fueled my passion to change how the story starts for other families. Babies with Down syndrome deserve to be celebrated and welcomed like any other. Families deserve to be congratulated and given hope on a new journey. Because of Jack and all those uniquely created with Down syndrome and their families, I spoke up and decided things needed to change. The story can start with hope, love, and celebration, not biased information and assumptions of what the future may hold. So we speak up and tell our “You Make Me Better” stories, we speak hope and encouragement into the world that the lives of individuals are valued, not a burden or a mistake. This is our narrative, this is our truth.
I ask you to join us in this global day of awareness on Friday, March 21st in celebration of those with Down syndrome! You can participate in World Down Syndrome Day by celebrating those you love with Down syndrome by sharing their stories, connecting with your community to share the mission of Jack’s Basket, or committing to supporting the work that we do through donating, changing the narrative around Down syndrome in your own conversations or sharing about your own experience with Jack’s Basket. I can’t wait to celebrate with each of you on 3/21!
For more information about how Jack’s Basket is celebrating World Down Syndrome Day, visit our WDSD landing page.
You make me better,
Carissa
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