Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

World Down Syndrome Day was celebrated on March 21. That date was chosen specifically for the day, which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012, to signify that Down syndrome is caused by the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome – thus, the 21st day of the third month every year recognizes those with Down syndrome. The additional genetic material alters the course of an individual’s development.

Sesame Street announced it will introduce Julia, its first character with autism. Autism is described as a “mental condition characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.”

Sesame Street, of course, is a longtime favorite show of both children and adults offered by the Public Broadcasting Service. It’s a fun program that bridges cultural and educational gaps. What better venue to teach all of us about people with autism?

Just yesterday, the Special Olympics World Winter Games concluded its week-long competitions in Austria with a fabulous final ceremony.

Chances are you know someone with Down Syndrome. And you most likely know someone with autism. You may even know a Special Olympics athlete, even if that person competes only at the local level.

This year’s Special Olympics World Winter Games brought with them the theme of “Choose to Include.”

That’s profound!

Each of us has the ability to make a choice whether or not to include someone of abilities different than ours.

We can choose to recognize the young man with Down syndrome who cleans and stocks fire trucks in Kingston. We can choose to acknowledge the young woman with autism who clears tables at a local restaurant. We can choose to support the Special Olympics athlete.

No one forces us to make these choices. There is no law on the books telling us we have to recognize people of different abilities.

We have the power within ourselves to make a difference in individuals who may be different than us. We can recognize them, acknowledge them, support them and embrace them as members of our communities. We can make them feel as if they belong.

Isn’t that what really should be happening? Shouldn’t people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities be made to feel like they belong somewhere?

With World Down Syndrome Day, Julia bringing autism into the spotlight on Sesame Street and the Special Olympics World Winter Games showcasing individuals with different abilities, we all need to follow suit and let these individuals know they are just as much a part of our communities as are we.

We need to choose to include.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Letter-to-the-editor2-13.jpg.optimal.jpg