Today is World Down Syndrome Day – a day to consider the lives of people who have Down syndrome, wherever they live. Around the world, 225,000 babies will be born with Down syndrome this year. 206,000 of these babies will be born in developing countries.
Almost all of the 200,000 children who will be born in high income countries during the next decade will survive to adulthood. They will receive knowledgeable medical care, additional educational support and live in societies that have become, and continue to become, more welcoming and inclusive
Without action now, half of the 2 million babies who will be born in low and middle income countries during the next decade will not live for even a few years and many will be discarded by the societies into which they are born and left to helplessly wither away, devoid of human care in repugnant institutions
We want to do something about this injustice and are starting to do so. We are beginning to work with families, support groups and NGOs around the world to identify practical ways in which we can help to improve the care given to young people who have Down syndrome
Almost all of the 200,000 children who will be born in high income countries during the next decade will survive to adulthood. They will receive knowledgeable medical care, additional educational support and live in societies that have become, and continue to become, more welcoming and inclusive. These children can now look forward to richer and more fulfilling lives lasting in excess of 60 years.
Preventable deaths
Without action now, half of the 2 million babies who will be born in low and middle income countries during the next decade will not live for even a few years. Many will die during their first two years of life from malnourishment, treatable diseases or medical conditions. Many will be discarded by the societies into which they are born and left to helplessly wither away, devoid of human care in repugnant institutions.
Neglect and exclusion
For the luckier ones who survive, abuse, neglect and exclusion are too common. Many health and educations systems are ill-prepared to provide knowledgeable care and support for young people with Down syndrome.
In short, 1.5 million young people who have Down syndrome today live lives not experienced by people living with Down syndrome in the West for over 40 years. Despite the bold Millennium Development Goals, international aid disproportionately fails to reach children with learning disabilities.
In the midst of so many global problems, the needs of some of the neediest are not being met.
Doing something about it
We want to do something about this injustice and are starting to do so. We are beginning to work with families, support groups and NGOs around the world to identify practical ways in which we can help to improve the care given to young people who have Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome Education International has been at the heart of cognitive, developmental and educational research, advice and information services that have brought many of the improvements enjoyed by young people with Down syndrome living in many high income countries today. We already work hard to communicate knowledge and evidence-based advice to a global audience.
But this, alone, is not enough. We need to reach out to families, support groups, associations, NGOs and governmental organisations on the ground, providing hands-on advice, training and translated resources. We have begun outreach work in Eastern Europe and Southern Asia, supporting young people with Down syndrome and their families, training professionals and advising governments.
This is a start, but now we need your help to do more.
A new Global Education Fund
Today we are officially launching the Down Syndrome Global Education Fund. This fund will specifically support work to improve the lives of all young people with Down syndrome wherever they live with a particular focus on those most in need.
Our first goal is to raise £225,000 ($340,000 or €270,000) - just £1.00 ($1.50 or €1.20) for each baby who will be born with Down syndrome this year.
This will fund direct support, training and outreach services on the ground in at least 10 low and middle income countries this year.
It will also fund a global survey of needs to more precisely identify the most effective ways to help and preparatory work for larger outreach projects in more countries.
What you can do
If every person who reads this news item today gives £50 ($75 or €60), then we would quickly reach this goal and be able to begin transforming the lives of thousands of children with Down syndrome around the world within weeks.
Since it is World Down Syndrome Day, you could also forward this plea to 21 friends and ask them to also support this cause and help to make World Down Syndrome Day 2009 a day to remember for future generations of people with Down syndrome.
World Down Syndrome Day only comes around once every year. By giving the equivalent of less than £1.00 ($1.50 or €1.20) per week you can help make a difference for people with Down syndrome wherever they live.
How to give
You can donate to the Global Education Fund through Down Syndrome Education International, a UK registered charity, by pledging your donation securely online:
You can also donate to the Global Education Fund through Down Syndrome Education USA, a 501(c)(3) US nonprofit:
Alternatively, you post a check, payable to either organisation (addresses below). Please enclose a note indicating that you wish the donation to support the Global Education Fund.
Help us prolong the lives of 1 million children with Down syndrome. Help us make the second decade of the 21st century one in which no child who is born with Down syndrome is left behind.
Please give what you can afford.
Thank you,
Frank Buckley
Chief Executive, Down Syndrome Education International
CEO/President, Down Syndrome Education USA
