The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter THE BAHAMAS will join the international community on Wednesday to celebrate for the first time World Down Syndrome Day, which is now officially recognised by the United Nations. The international body acknowledges that more work needs to be done even though "each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder". Cheryl Newell, president of the Bahamas Down Syndrome Association said the new opened center at Queen's College will be filled with supportive Bahamians wearing "Down Syndrome Rocks" t-shirts. Ms Newell said the shirts are to acknowledge all of the beautiful children and adults with Down syndrome. "We just want people to recognise what we are doing in the Bahamas and that we care," she said. Fresh in the mind of the association is the February opening of the Down Syndrome Center. Ms Newell said she hopes the new center brings greater awareness to the community about the importance of special children and their everyday needs. With over 100 people attending the grand opening, Ms Newell told Tribune Health, it feels amazing to be a part of such an historical event for the Bahamas. "It has only been through hard work and the generosity of so many people and businesses that has made this a reality," she said. As president of the association, she said the organisation has much more to accomplish in the Bahamas. "We must help our families change their mentality of keeping our children hidden as well as educating our Bahamian people on what is Down syndrome," she said. Since November 2005, Ms Newell said the association operated and often met at the elementary auditorium at Queen's College. The new center, still located at the school, is now well equipped with a classroom, an art and music room, a library and a kitchen, she said. "We are now working on programmes to train our Down syndrome adults for working in the center and to also learn trades so they can find jobs here in Nassau. We are also looking at our children manufacturing products that we can market here to sell to maintain the on going of our center and to keep expanding," said Ms Newell. When asked what advice would she give to a parent with a child affected by the disorder, Ms Newell said all parents should know that children are special and they bring more joy than anyone can ever imagine. It is task, but at the end of the day it is worth it and our children are all about love," she said. The Bahamas Down Syndrome Association was re-established in November 2005. Brought together by Cynthia Stanko from the Infant Stimulation program, Ms Newell said Cynthia thought there were too many families in Nassau with Down syndrome children that needed a support group and some guidance.