Thursday March 22, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: More people are now aware that Down Syndrome is not
infectious and parents with children afflicted by this ailment are
no longer keeping them at home.
Toh Puan Ena Ling, patron of Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation
(KDSF), said there is a lot more knowledge about the syndrome
today.
“When the foundation was established 18 years ago, it had two
objectives – to educate Down Syndrome children from six months to
six years of age, and to create public awareness about Down
Syndrome,” she said.
Ena Ling was attending the World Down Syndrome Day event held at
Pantai Medical Centre (PMC) here organised by KDSF and PMC with the
theme “Celebrating Diversity”.
 |
|
Best performance: Cassandra Goon, two,
performing for the nurses at the Pantai Medical Centre in
Kuala Lumpur yesterday to mark the World Down Syndrome
Day. |
They joined organisations
worldwide in paying tribute to the Down Syndrome community. March
21was chosen as it is symbolic in signifying the presence of extra
genetic material on the 21st chromosome, which results in Down
Syndrome.
About 80 children, parents, caregivers and hospital staff
attended the event held at PMC hall.
PMC chief executive officer Choy Wah Wei said the Down Syndrome
incidence is one in every 660 live births and although there is no
cure, children with the syndrome will benefit from loving homes,
early intervention, special education, appropriate medical care and
a positive attitude.
The celebrations also included performances from individuals with
Down Syndrome. One of them, 10-year-old Hang Chuen Wern, asked , “Do
you see me like others?” and 32-year-old Eugene Wong told his life
story as a testimony of what a person with Down Syndrome is capable
of as he was active in school and is currently working with
KDSF.
KDSF National Centre chairman Tee Han Cheong said parents with
Down Syndrome children can contact the centre for support, advice
and education for their kids at 03-78030179 or visit
www.kdsf.org.my.
