The next day Winners will be announced in March Is celebrated the World Down Syndrome Day. To celebrate, DOWN Spain has launched the campaign Life is not about chromosomes. This campaign aims to show that there are no differences between children with and without disabilities. The aim of the campaign is to sensitize society about children with Down syndrome and bring them closer to their way of being, thinking and feeling. The bell Life is not about chromosomes It seemed to me an initiative full of sensitivity and humanity, with a beautiful message. And that has made me remember many things.
Some time ago I had the opportunity to work with the people of the Down Syndrome Association of Zamora. It was an unforgettable experience, both on a professional and human level: the children, the team, the families… It was an experience that marked me, and that helped me at a time that many mothers go through and not all of them get along equally well. Because it is not easy to accept that in the first ultrasound of your first child they tell you that they have a certain risk of having Down Syndrome. I think it is a good day to tell this anecdote.
Having a child is a blessing, whether or not you have Down Syndrome. But, despite all the efforts that are being made and the level of integration and acceptance achieved, there is still a lot to do.
My experience
When the gynecologist told me that my son had a high risk of having Down syndrome (1 in 800), I was 27 years old. The doctor suggested that I do an amniocentesis. I asked him what he was going to do for me. He told me that if I tested positive for Down Syndrome, I could miscarry. But I didn't want to have an abortion, so I didn't get tested. In addition, I told him that there were things that worried me much more than Down Syndrome, things that do not appear in any test.
For me, the risk of losing the baby simply by knowing whether or not I would have Down Syndrome was unacceptable. I respect the opinion of others, really, but for me there were not enough reasons to risk my son's life for a matter as selfish as staying calm. Perhaps it was due to the fact that I was really calm, because my previous experience with the people of the Down Syndrome Association of Zamora had shown me that, although it was hard and difficult, having a child with Down Syndrome was not the end of the world. In fact, in the school where I worked then I could see many things, some much worse, and people were getting ahead. And he could be happy.
The pregnancy went well. Around me most of the people did not understand why I was so calm. But for me, there were 799 out of 800 that the child did not have Down Syndrome, and I also did not see it as a disgrace that he finally did. In fact, a month before giving birth, my husband and I went to a show fair. Our stand was in front of that of an Association of people with intellectual disabilities, and many of the boys and girls who were there had Down Syndrome. Some of those who knew what I had been told felt uncomfortable, because they could not think of anything other than "what if ours ...". But for me it was an opportunity to meet wonderful people.
The child was born. I did not ask. I forgot. I just wanted to get it back, because they had to take it to them to suck it up. And when they finally gave it to me, I didn't even remember to check whether or not I had Down Syndrome. It wasn't until someone told me about it that I realized it.
The same thing happened to none of the others.
World Down Syndrome Day 2015
DOWN Spain has convened a macro event on the 21st in the Plaza del Sol in Madrid, where the 12 bells will ring with Lacasitos to commemorate this day. With El Pulpo (from Cadena 100) as master of ceremonies, the day promises to be unrepeatable. Thousands of planes will be launched into the air and the National Police will make an exhibition with dogs, and will show their horses, among many other things. The day will begin at 11 in the morning.
For more information, follow Down Spain on Facebook.