The Down Syndrome Association of Malaysia (Persatuan Sindrom Down Malaysia), the National Organization looking into the welfare of individuals with Down syndrome and their families from womb to tomb, shall be celebrating World Down Syndrome Day 2007 in a meaningful manner to all individuals with Down syndrome in Malaysia (estimated to be about 50,000), their families, care-givers and service providers. Together with the Social Welfare Department , Malaysia, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, DSA-Malaysia shall be organising the First National Seminar on Down syndrome at the Rehabilitation and Industrial Training Centre in Bangi on the 27th. March 2007.

The theme of the National Seminar is “Down syndrome: Paradigm Shift in Caring, Education and Vocational Perspectives”. Three hundred participants who are parents, Special Education teachers, Community Based Rehabilitation Centre officers, Social Welfare officers, care-givers and other service providers are expected to attend. This year’s celebration is aimed to create awareness on the need to view individuals with Down syndrome and their possible achievements in a more positive manner. Once given the opportunities in rehabilitation, education and training, their life outcomes and quality of life shall be enhanced.

This year’s celebration is seen as the beginning of more beautiful things to come for individuals with Down syndrome in Malaysia and DSA- Malaysia would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the Social Welfare Department, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development for believing in implementing developmental programmes for human capital development among our beloved children.

On the 21st of March 2007. the World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated at Labanskolan, Uppsala, Sweden.

Labanskolan is a special school, working with drama and other aesthetic subjects. The students’ age are in the range from six to nineteen years old.

Every year the school puts on a show for public display. This year we will continue with last years smashing success: “Pippi Longstockings in present time”.

2007 marks the 100th birthday of the late author Astrid Lindgren. All sixteen students with Down syndrome participate in this colourful display of sketches and singing and dancing numbers.

A lot effort is put in the make up, costume, lights and sound. All to create the best possible foundation for the actors’ work.

The local paper, Upsala Nya Tidning, wrote: “A remedy for autumn-depression: Go see the Labanskolan show!”

Contacts:
Labanskolan
Levertinsgatan 31
754 23
Sweden

Phone: +46 (0)18-505070
labanskolan@telia.com
www.labanskolan.se

The Down Syndrome Parent Support Group in Oman have participated in the event last year here in Oman. We have only recently started this group and could not provide more information on the event we had last year.

For this year 2007, we have two programmes as follows :

21st March 2007

Fun event for the children on the Marah Land (a theme Park) where children will fun with the rides plus games where they can win prizes, plus face painting and Henna decoration. There will be presentation on Down syndrome organised by Doctors, plus a documentary film on Down syndrome and the group activity will be screened to the public to increase awareness about Down syndrome.

22nd March 2007

Fun leisure walk to support the Worl Down Syndrome.
The walk will start at 4pm from Behind Lulu Hypermarket Ghubra and conclude Oman Club Al Khuwair

Contacts:
Zuwaina Barwani
A parent of a child with Down Syndrome and a member of the DSPS group.
Contact No. 00 968 95621200/99345686

Szanowni Panstwo, prosimy o zanieszczenie informacji o Swiatowym Dniu Zespolu Downa w Bialymstoku, Polska

http://jedenswiat.org/foto/plakat.jpg

Wyrazamy zgode na zanieszczenie plakatu, o ile bedzie to mozliwe.
Maria Jasionowska

220.000 special bookmarks are distributed through bookshops and libraries. The bookmark - a small piece of art shows the painting of an austrian artist Christoph Eder.

The celebration of the German Down-Syndrom InfoCenter shall be held in Nürnberg

On the 21.3 two awards will be presented:

>> The "Golden Chromosom" to the artist Christoph Eder.

>> The "Moritz", a bronze statue showing a child with DS to Wolfram Henn, Professor Humangenetic and Ethic, University Saarland

World DS-day will also be celebrated (like last year) with a Do-it-yourself-poster campaign. Families send a picture of their child to the DS-Center us per E-Mail, we developed a lay-out with a slogan for this special day: "Down-Syndrome on the move!" We placed the photo in the layout and send the poster back. Families then can print out their individual poster, starring their own child, as often as they need it and distribute this in the place they live! Nearly 500 posters has been made!

All over Germany are many other activities!

For more details please visit us at http://www.ds-infocenter.de

AWARENESS DAY ACTIVIES 21/3

DOWN SYNDROME SOUTH AFRICA (DSSA) is the national umbrella body of 10 regional Down Syndrome Associations throughout South Africa.

As the 21st March is World Down Syndrome Day, (and appropriately Human Rights Day here in South Africa) we will be ‘celebrating diversity’ throughout the country with the rest of the world.

Different activities will be taking place during the week 17th – 25th March 2007 from fashion shows (by children with Down syndrome) high Tea’s, breakfasts, picnics, talks on Down syndrome, sports activities such as cricket matches and cycle races, etc.

With our recent press release we have had many phone calls and hits on our website. Many of these have resulted in articles being printed in newspapers and magazines as well as interviews being done on various radio stations and television.

DOWN SYNDROME SOUTH AFRICA
‘CELEBRATING DIVERSITY’

0861-369-672 www.downsynrome.org.za

* Marihøna Gallery presents pictures and greetings from all over Norway. www.marihona.com


* A group of children and parents in Bergen throw a party. There will be an article in Bergens Tidende – www.bt.no

*Saturday edition of Smaalenene featured Truls, 33:
http://www.smaalenene.no/

* Vestfold Ups and Downs Association invites members to get together and celebrate our day. Local newspaper and tv will report.

* There has been a small gathering of four families in Sandnessjøen to celebrate the day, where they also explored the possibility of founding a network group.
reading at
• http://www.helgeland-arbeiderblad.no/nyheter/article2659143.ece
• and tv feature at:
http://media.ta.no/aplayer/tvnordland/helgeland/pl.php?ID=529&mm=1

Press release to all major newspapers in Norway:
Celebrating diversity!
International Down Syndrome Day – March 21st
The people with that extra something
When we celebrate the international Down syndrome day we wish to focus on our journey towards reaching our potential with the goal of aiming high enough.

Today we shall be seen, not overlooked – heard, not ignored.

It is no longer so that people with DS are hidden away. No, they are vibrant people in a living world, a natural part of society. They live good lives, make use of their opportunities and have goals, wishes and dreams like everyone else. The ability to enjoy life is second to none.

To be a person in the world, to enjoy being alive, is a gift given to all people in the world – people with DS might just show it in a different way. It’s all about aiming high enough, and not giving up. To honour the gift of life, one needs to show one’s uniqueness, make use of one’s talents and to respect one’s qualities.

We who are parents to children with DS
are basically like other folks … apart from our thoughts about what it means to be different. Because suddenly we’re a little different, too. A lot of us have re-evaluated our lives – what’s important and what’s not. Many have turned their lives upside down – in a positive manner. We’ve let go of old truths and found other, new ideas. What might have seemed like the end of the world, held the seed to an enrichment of life quality that we’d never dreamed of.

And that’s not all. We can tell you about children who thrive, happy children in kindergarten, school and in the work place. Who take part in leisure activities and cultural events. Children with thoughts and dreams of their own. Children who offer to the world what it is in the process of losing: Love and spontaneity.

* National tv channel Tv2’s Breakfast show interviews Marte W. Goksøyr and
Grete Reitan. http://pub.tv2.no/TV2/magasiner/gmn/

Marte is 24, has DS and was recently portrayed in a documentary on tv. Through her video diary viewers were invited into her world, to get a feel of how she perceives society, and through interviews she conducted she tried to explore why some people view Down syndrome as a problem. Amongst those she interviewed were Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, whom she tried to engage in her battle towards a society that includes everybody.

Grete has a daughter with DS, Guri, who is nine years old. Shortly after she was born, Grete founded the journal Marihøna, which is dedicated to people with DS,, their parents and relatives. This later sprung a branch – the website Marihona. Last year Grete launched her vision of a Family Center for Down Syndrome, which is currently under way.

Hands
A poem by Brit Hundstad

Those delicate eyebrows
I have never seen anything as beautiful
When you sleep
Smiling at me

A unique, thin line that only you have
But that I can recognize in some of your specific features
That is no minus, but a plus …

Just like your hands
The roundness, the goodness
I can see it from afar
Know it in the seconds
In a moment of movement
Those hands
There is another one
Another one like you
And I feel profound ties to everyone who’s got such hands …

Contacts:
Best Regards
Grete Reitan

Marihøna - GJ Informasjon - Steinbiten 5 - 6515 Kristiansund
epost gretejr@marihona.com - tlf 71 67 08 88 - mobiltlf 957 08 603 - faks 71
67 11 55 - http://www.marihona.com

IN THE CITY OF BANGALORE,KARNATAKA STATE,INDIA,WE ARE RUNNING A CENTRE EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHILDREN DIFFERENTLY ABLED DUE TO DOWNS.

THIS CENTRE WAS INSPIRED BY MY OWN DAUGHTER NAMED DIVYA WHO IS ALSO A CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME. OUR CENTRE IS 4 YEARS OLD.

WE HAVE AT PRESENT 16 CHILDREN, AND PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMMES.

• EARLY INTERVENTION
• PHYSIOTHERAPY
• SPEECH THERAPY
• DENTAL CARE
• VOCATIONAL AND SKILL TRAINNING
• BASIC ACADEMICS

WE PARENTS HAVE GOT TOGETHER AND POOLED IN SOME MONEY FOR CELEBRATING

THE DS DAY ON 21.3.2007.

WE WILL BE HAVING TALKS FROM EXPERTS ON VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMES, DANCE AND SKITS BY OUR KIDS AND A SMALL PARTY THEREAFTER.

WE TAKE GREAT PLEASURE IN INFORMING THIS TO YOU.
WE WISH ALL THE BEST FOR THE DOWNS,AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO SERVING THEM

TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.

Contacts:
BEST REGARDS
MRS ESTHER THOMAS
FOUNDER TRUSTEE
DIVYA DOWNS DEVELOPMENT TRUST


Maharashtra

GENETIC HEALTH & RESEARCH CENTER
SECOND FLOOR, SATHEY BAUGH, M.G. ROAD, NASHIK
PH: 91 253 6604156

PROGRAM OF “WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY CELEBRATION”

Date: 21st March 2007, Wednesday
Venue: Indian Medical Association Hall, Shalimar, Nashik, India
Time: 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

>> 2:00 PM: Inauguration
Chief Guest: Dr. Mrs. Mrudula Phadake, Hon. Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, India Lighting the Lamp: One child with Downs’s syndrome will accompany the chief Guest Dance Performance by a Rockbeat group (Children of 5 – 10 yrs age)

>> 2:20 PM: Introductory Speech and slide show presentation- What is Down’s syndrome
Dr. D. K. Chopade, Medical Geneticist

>> 2:45 PM: Speeches of Parents- Experiences

3:10 PM: Speech by the Chief Guest

>> 3:30 PM: Announcement of formation of the “Indian Down’s Syndrome Association”

>> 4:00 PM: Question Answer session. Parents and Doctors Panel
Doctors Panel:
---Dr. D. K.Chopade, Medical Geneticist
---Dr. Subhash Kashype, Pediatrician
---Dr. Ranjit Joshi, Obstetrician,
---Dr. Pravin Supe, Physician,
---Dr. Pramod Mahajan, ENT Specialist
---Dr. Sharad Patil, Ophthalmologist
---Dr. Sanjay Bhavsar, Dentist,
---Dr. Jayant Dhake, Psychiatrist
---Mrs. Phadake, Socialist
---Mr. Rakshekar D. A., District Social Welfare Officer

>>5:30 PM: Feedback form the parents group

>> 6: 00 PM: Announcing the next activity
>> 6:15 PM: Vote of Thanks: Pravin Bhole
Master of the ceremony: Dr. B. D.Bhole

Because of the very limited available information about Down syndrome here in Kosova ex Yugoslavia, Leonora and Driton have taken the initiative with forty other parents of persons/children with Down syndrome together with some experts in the field, to establish the Down Syndrome Kosova-Association

The Association was established about one week ago and we have planned to commemorative for the first time the WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY on 21 March here in Pristine, the capital city of Kosovo - to be in solidarity with you - DS International and WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY

Contacts:
Congratulation WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY
DOWN SYNDROME KOSOVA
Leonora & Driton Bajraktari
Tel;+38138544256 ,Cell Phone +37744112170,

To be held on the 21st March 2007

“Diferenças” Child Developmental Centre
Centro Comercial da Bela Vista,
Av. Santo Condestável – Via Central de Chelas, Lisbon
Portugal

Programme:

>> 12:00 Fetal Trisomy 21: an account of a personal experience
>> 12:30 I CAN DO IT!
>> 13:00 Break and a light meal
>> 14:00 Highlight on a few pertinent issues regarding protection of assets and individuals with D.S.
>> 15:00 Questions from parents
>> 16:00 End of meeting

FREE ADMISSION
For parents and family of individuals with Trisomy 21

Contacts:
Email: geral@appt21.org.pt
Phone: +351 218394222

Programme:

1) Brasilia – DF- Brazils capital

21/3

>> 2.30 pm
Public Hearing on Down Syndrome transmitted live by TV Senado
Commission of Social Assistance – Federal Senate

>> 7 pm
Open Exhibition Diversity and Lauch of the campaign – It is Normal to Be Different – Learning with the Differences
Salao Nobre – Federal Senate
Organizer: Federal Senate

>> 10 am to 10 pm

Patio Brasil Shopping Mall
- Release of dolls Clarinhas Team, with the presence of actress
Joana Mocarzel and other TV actors
- Inclusive story telling
- Distribution of informative leaflets
Organizer: DFDown and Instituto Meta Social (Social Target Institute)
www.metasocial.org.br

>> 2.30 pm

Escola Parque da 308 Sul
Presentations by Professionals that work at the Down Syndrome Health Attention Center

2)Rio de Janeiro – RJ

21/3

Book launch and presentations

>> 7 pm – New Books Bookstore – Sao Conrado Fashion Mall
Maria Cristina de Orleans e Braganca, Killy, 16, will autograph her book “Love Letter”, edited by WVA Editora
www.wvaeditora.com.br
The book is pure fiction of a young woman in love with her idols and
The adventure of living. Also available in Braille.
Breno Viola, 26, will do a small judo presentation. Breno is
Internationally known in the sports world. Chosen by Readers Digest for 100 More Brazil Award, in 2004 was the Champion of Judo for All International Tournament, came in 3rd place in 2005, and 2nd in the European Judo for All Championship, held in Ravena, Italy. The competition gathered more than 200 judo fighters from 13 countries, and the Brazilian athlete got a special prize from the event´s organization.
Fernanda Honorato, 26, TV presenter, will recite poetry, talk about
Her program at TVE. She is the first TV presenter with Down Syndrome in Brazilian TV history. Fernanda will also show why she was invited to take part as a distinguished dancer at Brazilian carnival parade.
Organizer: RJDown

3)Sao Paulo – SP

CIAM – Jew Culture Center - SP

>> 8 pm

Presentations
Social Network as an important agent of social transformation
By Rogerio Amato – Secretary of Social Development – Sao Paulo State
Da Ponte School – An educational Perspective
By Jose Pacheco
From Grief to Struggle – Leaving a social perspective
By Evaldo Mocarzel
Clinical Evaluation – a Promising Therapeutic Perspective
By Dr Zan Mustacchi
Organizer: www.ciam.org.br

4)Fortaleza – Ceara

3rd Seminary Correios/CE (National Mail), celebrating World Down
Syndrome Day

>> 8.30 am – Opening Ceremony – Correios Regional Director

>> 8.45 am – Workshop – Actions developed in favour of people with
intelectual disabilities in Ceara State.

>> 10 am – Presentation of Video: Citizen Company

>> 10.30 am – Vision of Future Proposal – By Parents, teachers, health
Professionals and other actors involved in the theme

>> 2 pm – Live debate on the Program – “Every Sense” at University Radio
Organizer: Correior and Universo Down

>> 4 pm – Stressed Out Square

Gathering of parents, professionals and people with Down syndrome to mark the date and inform about DS and social inclusion.
Organizer: Existing – Inclusive Association

5)Itabuna – Bahia

20/3

Presentation
Hypothyroidism and Down Syndrome, followed by Questions and Answers
session
By Dr Luis Jesuino

21/3

Gathering on the Square in Itabuna, showing
- Capoeira Ring (Brazilian martial art)
- Leaflets distribution
Organizer: Nucleo Aprendendo Down (Learning Down Center)– Santa Cruz
State University

6)Campina Grande – PB

21/3

>> 10 am to 22 pm

Iguatemi Shopping Mall
Gathereing of parents, professionals and people with Down syndrome to mark the date and inform about DS.
Organizer: Viva Down Association

7)Campinas - SP

26/3

>> 10 am

1st Walk Valuing Differences
Walk around Taquaral Lake – Campinas
Organizer: Down Syndrome Foundation

‘Down syndrome in our multi-cultural society’
In addition, in 2007 the SDS will pay special attention to the situation of children with Down syndrome born in migrant families within our country. It appears that the development of these children clearly lags behind average Dutch counterparts. The families concerned hardly ever make contact with syndrome specific medical care and early intervention, while the strong movement towards inclusion is for a large part going past these families. The parents hardly ever find our foundation, which is in strong contradiction to the situation of other Dutch parents.
Therefore, the SDS has located as much families as possible with at least one parent from a culture outside The Netherlands. 21 of these families representing 21 different nationalities have been interviewed for our journal and a selection of these also on video. Both versions, interviews and video’s, will finally appear on www.showdown.name
On the afternoon of the day itself, a large manifestation will be organised around these migrant families.
At the end of that, there will be a fashion show in which children with Down syndrome, and particularly those from the migrant families, will appear as models on the catwalk.

Local activities
Finally, there also are a number of local activities around our country, organised by local branches of the SDS. A nice example is a disco for teens with the syndrome in Gouda.

The Province of British Columbia issued a proclamation declaring that March 21, 2007, shall be known as “ World Down Syndrome Day”.

On behalf of the Down Syndrome Research Foundation, thank you for your efforts to celebrate the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome.

Contacts
Kimberly Tokaryk
Fund Development Officer
Down Syndrome Research Foundation
1409 Sperling Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5B 4J8
Canada
Tel: 444-3773 ext. 2230
Fax: (604) 431-9248
Website: www.dsrf.org