The World Down Syndrome Day 2015 marked on Saturday with a resolve to extend help to people with down syndrome and to create awareness among the people. With focus on "My Opportunities, My Choices - Enjoying Full and Equal Rights and the Role of Families," the day was aimed at extending full and equal rights, both as children and adults with opportunities and choices to people with down syndrome.
On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day.
The down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features and mild-to-moderate intellectual disability, but the degree of learning difficulty depends on each individual case. Many will walk, talk, read and write, go to ordinary schools and lead semi-independent lives.
To mark the day, the Punjab Welfare Trust for Disables in collaboration with Ameen Maktab, organised a function at the Alhamra Art Cultural Complex for children suffering from the down syndrome attended. Member of National Assembly Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Amir Raza, Justice Farrakh Irfan and Dr Izhar ul Haq Hashmi also attended the function.
Shaista Pervaiz Malik said people with the down syndrome needed to be given full and equal rights. She said, "Empowering families to promote the equal status of their members in society and development is crucial so that they can provide support, advocate for opportunities and choices and empower people with down syndrome.
Dr Izhar ul Haq Hashmi said his organisation, in collaboration with Amen Maktab, was providing education to children at their homes and called for the need of inclusive education, early intervention for children with down syndrome and their education in mainstream education system. He also said children with the syndrome needed special cure.