Online community event The Big Connect will be back this year with a mega show to mark World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD).
The show organised by the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA) had an in-person event in Palmerston North on March 19, 2023, in the lead up to the main online gala at 7pm on March 21.
WDSD is observed annually to raise awareness and promote understanding and acceptance of Down Syndrome. The United Nations has officially observed it since 2012. The date of March 21 was chosen to symbolise the three copies of chromosome 21 that are characteristic of Down Syndrome.
The Indian Weekender spoke to NZDSA National Executive Officer Zandra Vaccarino to learn more about the significance of the day.
“It is a significant day as all around the country people with Down syndrome, their parents and their whanau connect to celebrate all people with Down Syndrome. This year the NZDSA is joining the global network and speaking up for the rights of people with Down Syndrome to make their own decisions,” she said.
Explaining this year’s theme, Vaccarino said, “This year’s theme, With Us Not For Us, has been defined by Down Syndrome International as a human rights-based approach that views people with disabilities as having the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else, working with others to ensure that their right to make decisions are upheld."
The Big Connect initially began as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. Vaccarino said this year’s edition will showcase an incredible line-up of experts. “It includes Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Disability Issues; Bridget Sneddon, President of Down Syndrome International; Paula Tesoriero, Chief Executive of Whaikaha, Ministry of Disabled People, international photographer Carlos Biggemann and world-renowned swimmer Luka Willems among others. This is an open event. The link is on the NZDSA's Facebook page. We would love all the readers to join us,” she said.
Pointing to a lack of government mechanism to collect data on people with Down Syndrome, Vaccarino said, “It is imperative that the NZ government collects accurate data as no informed and accurate planning and future forecasting for equitable access to everyday things in society like education, employment, housing, and healthcare can occur without accurate data. We estimate the Down Syndrome population to be 4,000 in NZ.”
The Indian Weekender spoke to Fijian-Indian Leela Naidu, mother of 29-year-old Mohit Chand (pictured above) who has Down Syndrome. She has lived in New Zealand for over three decades, and Mohit works part-time at the Auckland Domestic Airport's VIP lounge. Sharing her experience of people’s perception towards Down Syndrome in the country, she said, “Since Mohit was born in NZ, he has got a lot of government support due to him having Down Syndrome, which I feel would not have been possible in Fiji. The government support is incredible. We are fortunate that we have access to support.from the government and our community. The perception towards Down Syndrome is certainly changing, and those with Down Syndrome are being accepted by society much more. However, there is a lot more that needs to be done. This starts with creating a more inclusive community."
ISSUE
