DOWN Syndrome Limerick will be celebrating World Down Syndrome Day next week with a campaign of raising awareness on inclusion and a quirky fundraiser.
On their Twitter feed, the charity features a picture of the Limerick organisation’s oldest member, 75-year-old Seamus Mooney, as part of their ‘Inclusion Matters at Every Age’ campaign.
The Limerick branch believe he is the oldest person with Down Syndrome in the country, despite predictions when he was born that he would live just ten years.
To celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, branches of Dunnes Stores in Limerick are displaying pictures of members of Down Syndrome Limerick.
“Limits are often put on people with Down Syndrome – in school, work, society, in life. Parents work hard to advocate for people with Down Syndrome and to challenge the stereotypes that society often associates with them,” said Down Syndrome Limerick on Twitter.
“World Down Syndrome Day is March 21. A day to celebrate difference and raise awareness of the battle that people with intellectual disabilities have to be included. Think about inclusion. It matters at every age.”
Meanwhile, DSL is holding a ‘Rock Your Socks’ day on March 21 inviting schools, community groups and individuals to wear any cool, odd, or quirky socks (or tights) for the celebration and make a donation to the Castletroy-based charity.
Limerick City and County Council will light up the council building with the colour purple on the day.
Down Syndrome Limerick supports more than 150 children and adults with Down Syndrome. The charity is managed by parents voluntarily.
They provide essential therapies such as speech and language and occupational therapy, provide training to parents, teachers and SNAs and run adult education programmes that provide their members with the necessary skills to gain meaningful employment.
