World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is observed on March 21. On this day, people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world organize and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.

The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.  On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21st as World Down Syndrome Day. The General Assembly decided to designate March 21st as World Down Syndrome Day and “invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome”.

Down Syndrome International, a UK based international charity invites everyone across the world to wear socks on March 21, 2013 to raise awareness on World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD).  “BUT NOT JUST ANY SOCKS…brightly coloured socks, mismatched socks, long socks, printed socks, 1 sock…maybe even 3 socks (or EXTRA socks) for 3 chromosomes”.  My brother and will be participating in this year’s Lots of Socks. I have purchased two pairs of brightly colored socks.  I will send one of sock from each pair to my brother and I will keep the other mismatching pair.  On March 21, he and I will don our mismatching colorful socks and proudly wear them all day long.

If you feel like joining us, that would be great!  I know of at least one family member who LOVES to wear mismatching socks, so I am sure I can count on her.  🙂  If you’re comfortable, take a photo of yourself wearing brightly colored or mismatching socks on March 21st and email it to us and I will add your picture to a blog post with my picture in it.