Celebration for Down Syndrome Awareness Day held at Dogwood Social House

CAPE GIRARDEAU Mo. (KBSI) – “It’s so important to realize and include everybody with special needs.”

In light of National Down Syndrome Awareness Day (March 21), Maria Marzuco, who is Southeast Missouri Program Coordinator for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, says the mission and motto of the DSA is to serve, support, and celebrate everyone with down syndrome.

“Today we have them and their families here celebrating. We also have people in the community who support our lovely people.” Marzuco proudly says,

The gathering is hosted by volunteers, like the Heartland Down Syndrome Community and backed by loved ones in the community.

“We even had people who are not a part of our group come over and say, we know those colors, we know what down syndrome is.” She adds.

One of the best parts about the event is being informed on programs like, “Best Buddies” and “Small Steps Therapeutic Play.  “We do stuff for the littles, all the way up to the older adults.”

She says, “We just hope that the world can see because this is a public area, we can hope that everybody gets to learn what down syndrome is, how special our people are, and how more alike they are to us than they are different.”

For more information on upcoming events, visit dsagsl.org.