We decide.
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated every March 21st with the aim of raising public awareness about this condition and highlighting the valuable contributions of people with Down syndrome in our communities. This date was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 to promote the inclusion and well-being of those living with this genetic condition.
This year, the theme is "We decide," inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing the right of people with Down syndrome to full and effective participation in society. Activities are held around the world to commemorate this day. For example, in Huesca, Spain, the Down Huesca Association organizes events to promote integration and inclusive education.
Regarding Puerto Vallarta, no specific references have been found regarding events scheduled to commemorate World Down Syndrome Day in 2025. However, it is common for local organizations and educational centers to hold awareness-raising activities on this date. It is recommended to contact local institutions, such as disability support associations or government agencies, for up-to-date information on possible events in the city.
There are official estimates and approximate data on the population with Down syndrome in Mexico, although there is no accurate or 100% up-to-date national registry.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), it is estimated that for every 1,000 births in Mexico, between 1 and 1.5 babies are born with Down syndrome. Each year, approximately 6,000 children are born with this genetic condition in the country. This represents approximately 1 case for every 650 to 700 births nationwide, although the number may vary depending on the source.
It is estimated that there are currently approximately 250,000 people with Down syndrome in Mexico, although these figures are approximate and depend on different sources, such as the Ministry of Health and civil associations.
Mexico does not have a specific national census that registers all people with Down syndrome, which makes it difficult to obtain an accurate official figure. Some civil organizations, such as the John Langdon Down Foundation, have made significant efforts to raise awareness and generate statistics on the community.
Many people with Down syndrome do not appear in population censuses as such, as the INEGI disability categories are broad (intellectual, motor, visual, hearing, etc.). Furthermore, there are social and cultural factors that affect early diagnosis and official registration, such as unequal access to health and education services.
Puerto Vallarta is a place with a vibrant and open community, and many valuable actions can be to raise awareness about Down syndrome and join the global movement for inclusion.
- Organize a Public Commemorative Event
You could hold an event on March 21st, such as a walk along the boardwalk, an inclusive race, or a cultural event with the participation of people with Down syndrome and their families. Includes activities such as:
● Live music by local artists.
● Art exhibitions created by people with disabilities.
● Informational booths on the topic.
2. Promote the Wear a Different Socks Campaign
World Down Syndrome Day is known for the campaign to wear matching or brightly colored socks, symbolizing diversity. Vallarta residents could:
● Invite schools, businesses, and tourists to join the challenge.
● Take photos and upload them to social media with hashtags like #DisparateSocksPV #InclusionVallarta #WorldDownSyndromeDay.
3. Talks in Schools and Businesses
Organize educational talks in local schools, universities, and businesses about Down syndrome, inclusion, and non-discrimination. Many families would appreciate spaces where these topics are discussed.
4. Create Partnerships with Local and National Organizations
● Seek out associations that work with people with disabilities in Jalisco or nationally, such as the John Langdon Down Foundation.
● From Vallarta, you could promote job inclusion programs in area businesses and hotels.
5. Produce Audiovisual Content
Puerto Vallarta is beautiful and highly visited. You could record short videos or documentaries telling the life stories of people with Down syndrome who live or work in the region.
● Share the videos on local and national social media to raise awareness.
● Include subtitles and simple language to make it accessible.
6. Awareness Workshops for the Tourism Sector
Vallarta welcomes visitors from all over the world. Offering inclusive care training for hotels, restaurants, and tourism services can make a huge difference in the way tourists and locals with Down syndrome and other disabilities are received.
7. Inclusive Recreational Spaces
Promote projects to make parks, beaches, and sports centers accessible and inclusive, where anyone can participate without physical or social barriers.
Living with a person with Down syndrome is a profoundly transformative experience. It goes far beyond a conventional relationship; it is an opportunity to connect with the very essence of humanity: empathy, patience, acceptance, and unconditional love.
People with Down syndrome often have an innate capacity to express love and affection without reservation. Their way of loving is direct and genuine. This experience teaches others to love without conditions or judgment, to open their hearts without fear, and to value the small gestures that nourish the soul. Daily coexistence invites us to cultivate true patience, not as an imposed virtue, but as a state of presence and understanding. You learn to respect each other's time, to enjoy the here and now, and to discover that every step, no matter how small, is a profound and significant achievement.
On a holistic level, Down syndrome reminds us that we are all different but equally valuable. Their mere presence invites us to let go of rigid ideas about "normality" and open ourselves to the diversity of human beings. It is a call to recognize the value of others beyond labels, diagnoses, or limitations. They are masters at showing themselves as they are, without masks or deception. Their emotions are often genuine, unfiltered. This confronts us and at the same time liberates us. They teach us that authenticity is powerful and that life can be enjoyed simply and fully.
In a spiritual sense, living with people with Down syndrome is an invitation to awaken the heart chakra, to vibrate at frequencies of compassion and tenderness. They are souls who, according to many holistic currents, come with a mission of love and teaching, reminding us that what is essential is invisible to the naked eye. Sharing life with someone with this condition raises social awareness. It sensitizes you to the struggles faced by people with disabilities and inspires you to become an agent of change, promoting equality, respect, and true inclusion.
Deep down, living with someone with Down syndrome brings you closer to your own vulnerability and interconnectedness with others. It is an experience that teaches humility and makes you appreciate the beauty of simple emotions: joy, tears, laughter, a sincere hug.
If you have ever lived with someone with Down syndrome, you will know that they always have the power to change the way you see the world. And if not, by opening yourself to that experience, it is very likely that your life will never be the same again... but in the best possible way.
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