2. Editorial
• This is a magazine made for the Basic
Language assignment in the Yacambu
University, it contains data about the down
syndrome and articles of interest related to
this topic.
3. • What is Down Syndrome?
• Down syndrome is a naturally occurring
chromosomal arrangement that has
always been a part of the human
condition, being universally present
across racial, gender or socioeconomic
lines, and affecting approximately 1 in
800 live births, although there is
considerable variation worldwide.
Down syndrome usually causes varying
degrees of intellectual and physical
disability and associated medical issues.
• Down Syndrome International -
October 2011
4. • 1- KARA JONES, WEST FARGO, ND
• In honor of my son, Anders, age four, and in honor of World Down
Syndrome Day, our family celebrated by doing the following on 3/21:
• - Anders sported a bright yellow "3:21" NDSS t-shirt at daycare.
• - I ordered “Taking Down Syndrome to School” and send each of his
classmates home with a copy and note explaining the significance of the
day.
• - Our YMCA daycare director posted NDSS posters with facts about Down
syndrome at five center sites in our town and she coordinated a
fundraising effort to support our local Down syndrome group, “Up With
Downs.”
• - Our local news station interviewed the YMCA director, me and even
Anders! The story showcases the importance of this day and that kids
with Down syndrome are “More Alike than Different!”
5. • 2- MARIA NEUMANN, POCATELLO, ID
• We are going to celebrate my four year old daughter MaKenna's
World Down Syndrome Day by watching an inspirational movie. I
ordered the Hallmark movie, "A Smile as Big as the Moon" and our
family will be watching the movie, for the first time, during the
week of World Down Syndrome Day. One of MaKenna's favorite
foods is popcorn, so we will be sure to have plenty of that during
the showing. During the day, I am going to send blue and yellow
colored popcorn, raspberry lemonade flavor, from our local
Popcorn Shop to my daughter's preschool class and to my son's
first grade class. The bags of popcorn will each have a tag stating
the importance of World Down Syndrome Day. The night of World
Down Syndrome Day we will be going to our church's AWANA
bible training group. I will sharing popcorn bags with my
daughter's bible training class that night and letting them know
the importance of the day.
6. • 3- RACHEL EFROSMAN, STATEN ISLAND, NY
• My name is Rachel, and I have two sets of twins. My daughter Emma has Down
syndrome. My Emma is the most amazing little girl I know. She inspires me
everyday to be a better person. She is so determined to succeed, it makes me
want to do better. She never gives up. She is in a regular school, in a special ed
class. She loves going to school, and everyone loves her. There is something about
her, that puts a smile on everyone's face. I am so lucky to have her in my life.
• For World Down Syndrome Day, Emma is going to bring books about Down
syndrome, and pass them around to the whole school, to teach them all about
Down syndrome. Her twin brother Zack will read a speech in class and talk about
his sister, and all about what having Down syndrome means. On 3/21 the vice
principal will announce on the loud speaker that today is a special day. Emma and I
will bake blue and yellow cupcakes and hand them out at school. After that, we as
a family will all go out to dinner to celebrate this special day.
7. • 4- TABATHA GONZALEZ, EL PASO, TX
• This past Saturday my family and I walked in the 2012 Buddy
Walk in El Paso, Texas on behalf of my daughter Samantha.
Samantha is 12 years old and was born with Down syndrome.
She picked the theme this year for our family. She is amazed
with superheroes so she decided that we would all be
superheroes. Our team name was Samantha’s Superheroes.
We each got to wear a cape as we walked amongst the other
buddies on Saturday. Samantha enjoyed everyone stopping to
admire her cape.
8. • 5- SHAWNNA SAULSBERRY, FORT LEE, VA
• This year the Summer Special Olympics were held in Richmond, VA and we
decided to volunteer to cheer on the teams that were participating. My
son, Jaire, has Down syndrome and we were casually walking around
waiting for the torch lighting ceremony. A boy walked up, playing with his
medal from the previous year. Then he looked up and saw Jaire in his
stroller. He yelled, "Mommy, mommy, look, he is just like me! Can I please
give him my medal?" His mom and I tried to explain to him that he doesn't
have to do that, but he insisted. He took it off and hung it around Jaire's
neck and called him a winner. His actions set the tone for a
great, awesome weekend. Here's to you, Jonathan!
