The Down's Syndrome Association
The Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) is the only charity in the UK dealing with all aspects of Down Syndrome. Its aim is to help people who have Down Syndrome live full and rewarding lives.
Since 1970, they have grown from being a local parent support group into a national charity with over 20,000 members, a national office in Teddington, Middlesex and an office in Northern Ireland. Despite this, the organisation is run by a total staff of just over 40 (many of them part time). They work closely with local support groups throughout the UK.
Find out more about the DSA and the work they do via these links:
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
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Overcoming the challenges
Having Down's Syndrome doesn't have to hold you back. From representing a national swimming team and getting a university degree, through to acting and running a cooking class, there are lots of positive possibilities.
A bit about Down’s Syndrome....
Down’s Syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in a baby’s cells and usually occurs because of a chance happening at the time of conception.
Around one in every 1000 babies born in the UK will have Down’s syndrome.
There are approximately 40,000 people in the UK with Down’s Syndrome.
Down’s Syndrome is not a disease. People with Down’s syndrome are not ill and do not “suffer” from the condition.
Today the average life expectancy for a person with Down’s Syndrome is between 50 and 60 with a small number of people living into their 70s.