March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day, allowing those who have it, and those who live and work with them, take part in events to raise awareness.
Down syndrome occurs when an individual has all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21, and the Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN) works to create a positive understanding of down syndrome into our community. "Going out there and making people realize that people with Down syndrome or other disabilities are no different than us they just may look a little different," says Jessica Adams of DSNNN.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in every 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common chromosomal condition. About 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year. "We did not know of our diagnoses when she was born and it was a bit of a surprise and we got a crash course in Down syndrome," says Gina Beeg.Â
Gina and her daughter have been participating in DSNNN events for the past few years, getting support from other parents. "If it wasn't for the other moms and dads I would be loss, they become your second family," says Beeg.Â
And gaining confidence, "To bring my son out in the community for him to see and meet other people that look more like him is really important," says Sarah Horsman-Ploger. "He had this smile on his face and I felt that was really powerful for him."
Horsman-Ploger and her wife adopted their son a few years ago, Horsman-Ploger was already and advocate for DSNNN, but once she became a parent things changed. "I realized I now wore two hats, I was now a parent of a child with Down syndrome and it became a different type of cause for me," she explains.
To donate to DSNNN or learn more about them visit:Â https://dsnnn.org/who_we_are/
