Donate for the Rehabilitation of Down Syndrome

National Disability & Development Forum (NDF) is fund raising through GlobalGiving for the Rehabilitation of Down Syndrome children in Pakistan. NDF organized one-day seminar to observe 21st March World Down Syndrome Day 2023, in Karachi. Ms. Saira Lashari, Mr. Hussain Lashari and others highlighted the importance of the 21st March World Down Syndrome Day. Mr. Hussain Lashari further said that theme of the World Down Syndrome Day 2023 is With Us, Not for Us”. World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. Pakistan has limited facilities to treat children with Down Syndrome, the social acceptance required to engage children with Down Syndrome in all spheres of life. The People with Down Syndrome need an international day because all around the world, people with Down syndrome are treated badly, they are denied a quality education, they are denied good health care, they are denied the chance to work and earn their own money, they are not allowed to make decisions about their own lives, their voices are not heard, So, on 21 March we create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome. There is dire need to engage all stakeholders to become a World Down Syndrome Advocates. Mr. Jhamin Das Regional Director of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) said that DEPD has recognized Down Syndrome as separate category of Disability in Sindh Disability Act 2018, the child with Down Syndrome is not mentally retarded but well/improved condition to be mainstreamed. They need due care & attention through rehabilitation services. DEPD Rehabilitation Centers & some NGOs like NDF & others are well engaged to provide their services to the children with Down Syndrome. DEPD is committed to support children with Down Syndrome & engaged organizations for the welfare of children. Mr. Jameel Junejo Focal Person Human Rights said that Disability rights are human rights, it’s our prime responsibility to protect and promote disability rights. Mr. Salman A. Siddiqui GM CSR Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) said that SSGC believes in social responsibility to protect disability rights especially Down Syndrome. Persons with Down Syndrome have potential to deliver in mainstreamed social sector. He appreciated NDF Rehabilitation services in Nawabshah & Larkana. Mr. Nishat General Secretary APHA told that Down Syndrome children need proper attention & rehabilitation to be engaged in society. Dr. Talib Lashari Technical Advisor Health Department Sindh said that the Down Syndrome Children must be accepted at all, their slow race is not obstacle but ignorance. Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani told that Down Syndrome is named after John Langdon Down, the British physician who described the syndrome in 1866 who first described the syndrome as disorder. In Pakistan there is wide gap exists to understand Down Syndrome. Ms. Nuzhat Shireen said that Girls with Down Syndrome need special care. Mr. Kiran Zubair said that the research is lacking part in the Disability sector, the data needs to be collected to plan properly. Mr. Abdul Hameed Director CSR Shell Pakistan, Mr. Anwar Sadat, mr. Zahid Asghar, Mr. Tariq Hussain Channar & others also spoke on the occasion.