This Friday, Antigua will mark World Down Syndrome Day by encouraging the public to wear colorful and quirky socks as part of the Lots of Socks Awareness Initiative.
Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis, Medical Director at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, stressed the need to raise awareness and challenge common misconceptions about Down Syndrome. “We need to show that people with Down Syndrome can go to school, live independently, and participate in everyday activities,” she said. She also called for better educational support, noting that only one public school currently caters to special needs children.
In addition to the sock campaign, the fourth annual World Down Syndrome Fun Day ride will take place on Sunday. The event, a collaboration between the Paediatric Unit at SLBMC and the Antigua Barbuda Cycling Federation (ABCF), aims to bring together children with Down Syndrome, their families, hospital staff, and supporters for a fun ride around the Pan Am Base in Coolidge.
“There will be a new twist this year with a route towards AUA and back,” said St. Clair Williams, ABCF President. “We’re hoping to see more people participate and raise even more awareness.”
The ride, which starts at 8 a.m., is free and open to all. There will also be school-based awareness drives.