tomorrow, Thursday, is the international day for Down syndrome. It is a perfect opportunity to draw attention to and highlight the rights of persons with this syndrome. The reason that the day is elected to the 21st of march is because people with Down syndrome has three of chromosome number 21.
My uncle Pentti was a man with a big heart. When I was born in 1974, my father called him and told him that I would be called Kukka, which means flower in Finnish. But Penttis name for me was ”Blomflickan”, a name that I will carry in my heart than in the day.
with us kids when we were visiting. I remember in particular when a large lightning and heavy rains had created large puddles that we played in. He rolled up the legs of the pants and ran with us through the water and laughed, as happily as children.
Pentti made a big impression on me with their thoughtfulness and kindness. He showed me how much a huge and warm heart can do for the environment.
Pentti had Down syndrome. But for me, he was a unique and beautiful individual who was my uncle. Down syndrome was not what defined everything he was, even if it did, that he had some characteristics that are common to this syndrome.
that all people, regardless of what conditions they have been given the opportunity to find their unique place in society. Everyone has something that they can share with others, to love and to be loved.
Equal rights by getting access to education, employment and health care should apply to everyone, including those with Down syndrome. Unfortunately, Pentti sick in the 40s and the doctor said to my dad that ”such as he is alive, yet not so long” and did not give him the help and care that he had. This led to the fact that he died early.
that kind of discrimination is only a dark memory, and that society’s attitudes have changed since then.
I want:
• the Children are trained in school about people with a variety of disabilities, including Down syndrome.
• health Care and personal care workers receive training about disabilities like Down’s syndrome.
• Politicians are pushing issues about equal rights for all.
