21 Interesting Facts About Down Syndrome
In honor of International Down Syndrome Awareness Day, on March 21st, we collected 21 facts to share with you.
Down Syndrome is a genetic condition
Down syndrome is a genetic condition, also known as Trisomy 21. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21.
Down syndrome isn’t a sickness, therefore there is no treatment. The only way to “treat it”, is to accept it and live an inclusive life.
Down syndrome has always been common a human condition and is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. The most important fact to know about individuals with Down syndrome is that they are more like others than they are different.
2. March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD)
March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) as declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011. And there is a meaning behind the choice of this date.
The 21st day of March (the third month of the Gregorian Calendar), was selected as the date for World Down Syndrome Day to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st human chromosome.
21st of March = 21/03 = Trisomy 21 (Three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two)
3. October is the Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October was first designated as Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the 1980s and has been recognized every October since. It is a time to encourage more people to learn about this condition, celebrate those who have it, and recognize the ways to live in a more inclusive society.
4. Mismatched Socks for more awareness
It all started in 2013 when wearing odd socks was initiated to raise awareness about Down Syndrome. Wearing mismatched Socks during the full months of March and October is a simple and fun show of solidarity with the cause.
The aim of the movement is to spread awareness about people with Down syndrome. Their acceptance by society, the chance for regular education, or the opportunity to work is still not a matter of course.
The idea was created because chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome.
5. We are all different
Knowing one person with Down Syndrome does not mean that all people with Down Syndrome are the same. Not physically, or personally.
People with Down Syndrome are more different from each other than we might think. Although they have a few physical similarities, that accentuate their condition, people with Down Syndrome look a lot like their own family members and have different personal characteristics.
After all, regardless of how many chromosomes we have, we are all unique.
6. They want and should be encouraged
People with Down Syndrome deserve to be treated with respect and should be encouraged to live a “normal life”. They are completely able to participate actively in their family and community.
Giving people with Down Syndrome the opportunity to live, work and participate in the community is the first step to building a healthy and better society.
7. People have Down Syndrome, they ain’t “Down”
Down syndrome is a condition or a syndrome, not a disease. People “have” Down syndrome, they do not “suffer from” it and are not “affected by” it.
So the correct way to address to them is by saying “people who have Down Syndrome” or “people with down syndrome”. Not “Down person/people”, “Downs”, “R*t*r*d*d”, etc.
8. People with Down Syndrome are capable and talented
There are several examples of famous, successful, and top-talented people with Down Syndrome.
For example, Madeleine Stuart - a professional top model, Isabella Springmuhl Tejada - a famous fashion designer, Chelsea Werner - a professional Special Olympics gymnast and model, Zack Gottsagen - actor and the first person with down syndrome to present the Oscar, Cacai Bauer - first Brazilian influencer with Down Syndrome, George Webster - the first BBC children’s presenter with Down’s syndrome, and many more.
9. Metaverse has a virtual influencer with Down Syndrome
Kami is the First Virtual Influencer with Down Syndrome. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and data from more than 100 women with Down syndrome, the virtual influencer agency The Diigitals brought Kamilah to (virtual) life for a more inclusive metaverse.
10. Charles de Gaulle’s daughter had Down Syndrome.
Anne de Gaulle was Charles de Gaulle and Yvonne’s youngest daughter and had Down Syndrome.
During one week in December 2022, in honor of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3) Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport gave way its name to Paris-Anne de Gaulle airport, in tribute to the youngest daughter of Yvonne and General de Gaulle, Anne.
11. They are not always happy
Although a lot of people get the impression that people with Down Syndrome are always happy, this is not the case. No one can be happy all the time, and neither someone with Down Syndrome. As a matter of fact, people with Down Syndrome feel the same emotions as someone without Down Syndrome. Some days they are happy, some days they are sad. Sometimes they are mad, excited, joyful, or funny.
Just like with anyone else, people’s moods can vary according to the person’s temperament and the situation they find themselves in at that moment.
12. Adults with DS are just adults and have adult needs
Adults with Down syndrome are not “perpetual children”, as many people think. They are adults, and they happen to have Down syndrome. They still have the same social needs as any other adult.
Most of them would like to work, have a love relationship, create a family, and enjoy their lives.
13. They can have children
Women with Down Syndrome are fertile and can give birth to babies. Many old studies mentioned that men with Down Syndrome would be infertile. But there have been reported many cases of men with DS who have fathered children. In order to be 100% sure in one particular case, it is better to contact a doctor and get tested individually.
14. There are many models with Down Syndrome
There are many beautiful and talented models with Down Syndrome. It is a great sign of acceptance and inclusion to see more and more models with Down Syndrome present in fashion shows and inclusive marketing campaigns.
Some famous names in the modeling industry are Madeline Stuart, Sofia Jirau, Grace Strobel, Chelsea Werner, and Ellie Goldstein.
15. Oscar stars and actors with Down Syndrome
The movie industry is another place to see the talent of people with Down Syndrome. There are many movies featuring actors with Down Syndrome, as well as movies about Down Syndrome.
Here is a list of some examples:
Oscar Winner 2023 - James Martin - An Irish Goodbye (2022)
Actor and first Oscar Presenter with DS - Zach Gottsagen - The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019), At Last (2020), Delta Spirit: What's Done Is Done (2022)
Actor - Isaac Leyva - Any Day Now (2012)
Actor - David DeSanctis - Where Hope Grows (2014),
Actress - Lily D Moore - Color My World with Love (2022)
Actress - Sofia Sanchez - The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023)
Actress - Jamie Brewer - American Horror Story (2011).
Movie - Buddies (“Colegas” in original language) (2012)
16. “Down” stands for John Langdon Down.
The name “Down Syndrome” is in honor of the British physician who first described Down syndrome in 1866, John Langdon Down. It has absolutely nothing to do with “being down” or “down” as the opposite of “up”.
At the time, John Langdon Down didn't know what caused the telltale symptoms. Indeed, experts didn't understand the chromosomal basis until French physician Jérôme Lejeune discovered it in 1959.
17. There are three types of Down Syndrome
There are three chromosomal patterns that result in Down syndrome:
Trisomy 21
Translocation Down Syndrome
Mosaicism Down Syndrome
To know each type of Down Syndrome someone has, it’s important to look at the chromosomes, because the physical features and behaviors are similar.
18. Inclusive Marketing Campaigns are the best
We love to see more and more inclusive marketing campaigns. Disabled people are real and deserve to be represented. Turns out that inclusive marketing campaigns have a bold touch and are super cool.
A few examples of Inclusive Marketing Campaigns include Zalando and Anomaly for Spring 2021, Performance Marketing World 2022, Gucci Beauty’s Campaign in 2020, and many more.
19. They are not the only ones to benefit from inclusion.
All people can benefit from a more inclusive society. Kids and adults with Down syndrome do best in inclusive environments. and typical kids do best when they learn about diversity, kindness, and friendship at an early age. Inclusive work environments and school classrooms teach and benefit all people - always.
20. People with Down Syndrome can live an independent life.
Many people with Down syndrome today do work and have independence. In general people with Down syndrome have a wide range of capabilities. Some might be able to live a completely independent life, whereas others might live a part-independent life, living in a group setting with friends or family. Adulthood with Down syndrome comes with its challenges, but many of them can be managed.
It’s important to consider that many times the difficulty doesn’t come from the person with Down Syndrome, but from the structures and society that this person might live in. Inclusive education and workplaces, accessible healthcare and therapies, and city infrastructure are some important facts to consider. That’s why diversity and inclusion are topics to be talked about and lived everywhere.
21. Life expectancy, quality of life, and inclusion are on the rise.
The life expectancy for children with DS in the 1960s used to be age 10. Luckily today this has changed a lot and now the life expectancy for people with DS is age 60 and higher. This is thanks to the therapies and medical care that have improved over the years.
Longer life, and also a better quality of life. Thanks to appropriate medical care, supportive therapies, educational options, and inclusion, people with Down Syndrome are living with a much higher quality of life than ever.
It’s still a fact that society in general still needs to improve the inclusion of people with disabilities. From a more inclusive educational system to a more inclusive workplace, there’s still a long way to get to perfection. But still, people with Down Syndrome are having more opportunities and visibility than ever before.