Caring For People With Down Syndrome

Today is World Down Syndrome Day. It is indeed the 7th anniversary of the day and for the first time, the United Nations is expected to formally observe the day with a view to re-echoing the voices of people living with the syndrome.

Down Syndrome, also called Trisomy 21, is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way some children develop physically, and mentally. Such children manifest abnormal physical features and suffer mental retardation.

According to modern science, the condition can neither be prevented nor cured, but people who live with the syndrome can be treated, managed and assisted to live. The Down Syndrome can be detected before birth, while the health problems that go with it can be treated.

Contrary to suggestions that the syndrome could be caused by drug abuse in pregnant women, science has it that the genetic problem is more likely in the pregnancy of older women. In fact, that parents who have had babies with the syndrome are more likely to have another.

Sadly, this category of people exists in every society. In Nigeria, the case is erroneously associated with evil forces and treated with contempt. Some families actually hide such children, isolate them, treat them like animals and predispose them to premature death.

This  is mainly caused by the social stigma that society puts on parents of such children. Reports reveal that some neighbours are often in a hurry to raise quarrels only to taunt parents of children with the down syndrome with the condition of their baby as “evil thing.”

But studies have shown that people living with the syndrome are not evil. In fact, it is on record that some people with the syndrome have lived productive lives and contributed to better understanding of the condition.

In view of the condition of people in this category, society ought to show love and care since they cannot help themselves. People living with the syndrome and their parents need the acceptance and support of all. Those that have lived well, in spite of their conditions, owe it to the love and assistance of neighbours and the State.

People in this category need special education, healthcare and therapy. In fact, in some countries efforts are being made not to isolate them, but to make them learn, play and grow with normal children. This, of course requires that special teachers would be included in the classrooms.

Even with the old system, we wonder if there are enough schools designated for these disabled members of society. The training of special teachers and the sustenance of deliberate efforts in the interest of these people are some of the things government at all levels must endeavour to put in place.

While we commend the United Nations for providing a platform for people living with the syndrome to have a voice, we can only note that a society is not worth the name until it is able to cover for the needs of all, including the disadvantaged members of the group.

Even so, mankind must take steps to avoid the birth of children with the down-syndrome. It therefore behoves people to encourage early marriage and discourage women from making babies after 35 years. Similarly, those who may have had one should stop so as to avoid the human misery that the condition so eminently displays.

It is also important that women present themselves to proper medical services, especially when pregnant. Since the condition can be detected before birth, parents need to know and to prepare for the special needs of those children, including building the psychological muscle, to deal with the situation before they are born.

Down syndrome does not only result in flat face with upward slant to the eye, short neck and abnormally shaped ears, deep crease in the palm of the hand, white spots in the iris of the eye, poor muscle tone, loose ligaments, small hands and feet, it includes variety of health conditions including congenital heart diseases, hearing and intestinal problem among others.

But the best way the condition can be properly and widely understood and eventually eliminated is through sustained education and enlightenment. This is indeed an area government must take interest in. In addition to the use of the news media, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) can be involved.

As we join the United Nations to mark this day, let all well meaning people seek out these special Nigerians and show love and find ways of making their lot better.