Weekend reading and viewing: 19 - 20 March 2016

The World Down Syndrome Day 2016 edition

A small sample of the many social media promotions of the 2016 World Down Syndrome Day 
theme identified by the hashtag #‎MyFriendsMyCommunity‬ in the lead up to 21 March 2016.

World Down Syndrome Day 2016 - PREVIEW - #MyFriendsMyCommunity
Down Syndrome International, 14 March 2016
Down Syndrome International presents a global video journey promoting inclusion of people with Down syndrome. "My Friends, My Community" features interviews with children from around the world talking about their lives, friendships and aspirations. This global video event is presented for World Down Syndrome Day, Monday 21 March 2016.

My Friends, My Community campaign, European Down Syndrome Association
European Down Syndrome Association, 1 - 21 March 2016
During the ... 21 days until World Down Syndrome Day, EDSA presents you short stories about inclusion from different European countries. EDSA members have sent us their contributions with an example from their respective country.

How do you see me

Coor Down (Italy), 14 March 2016

Let's change the way we look at people with Down syndrome. AnnaRose is a nineteen year old from NJ. She's a full time college student who works part-time at a physical therapy center and enjoys basketball and swimming through the Special Olympics NJ. AnnaRose, as many people with Down syndrome, only wants to realize her potential and live a meaningful, beautiful life.

CoorDown Onlus created the campaign “How Do You See Me?” together with Down Syndrome International and with the contribution of The Down’s Syndrome Association (UK), Down Syndrome Australia, Fondation Lejeune and Les Amis d’Eléonore (France).

The video and the message it seeks to communicate has been widely praised, but you will see from the comments on its You Tube posting and other social media that some viewers and advocates are concerned about the use of an actor who does not have Down syndrome, seeing it as ableist and inappropriate. Have a look, and decide for yourself.

21 blogs
Down with Dad, 1 - 21 March 2016
Starting on the 1st March I will post a new blog each day right through until World Down’s Syndrome Day 2016 on the 21st. Each blog has been written by a different person and all have the aim of promoting and celebrating our differences ...

Kosciuszko to Coogee 2016: the finish

The 2016 ride is almost done - Lance, Shane, Leigh and Evan will ride onto Coogee Beach tomorrow morning, having finished a gruelling, but often fun ride ... catch up with the final stages via their Facebook page, and you can come along to meet them at Coogee, congratulate them, thank them and celebrate the finish.

They have been supported by wonderful sponsors and hosts along the way - spend a few minutes on the Facebook page to see the photos and stories of the riding days, the rest stops, the hospitality and the events along the way.

Having ridden up the coast road from Wollongong
(via the steep rise to Stanwell Tops), the K2C team
crossed the Hacking River on the Bundeena ferry -
the passengers would be accustomed to having cyclists
in their midst, but not many would have cycled all the
way from Mt Kosciuszko!