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HEATHER BOA Bullet News ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH – Amiera Black is covered in crazy socks today.
The seven-year-old has ankle socks designed to look like animal faces with black eyes on the shoulders of a t-shirt that reads: Shower me in love. Every colour of the rainbow is in the slew of socks that hang from her waist in a clash of Argyle, stripes, and circles. Each has a bright flower sewn at its base. And on her feet is a pair of yellow knee socks with a bootlace pattern, topped by ankle socks.
Goderich’s deputy reeve, John Grace, is ready to help celebrate International Down Syndrome Day today.
Amiera is ready to celebrate International Down Syndrome Day today, March 21. Down syndrome is a genetic disease in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. In Down syndrome, the most common single cause of birth defects, a person has an extra 21th chromosome, which affects development of the body and brain.
Amiera’s mother, Jennifer, has delivered crazy socks to Goderich’s town hall in the hopes that councillors will help to raise awareness.
“March 21 is a day for us to celebrate Amiera – and all that her diagnosis has added to our lives – in a very public way. As well, it’s a chance for us to educate the general public about Down syndrome and let the world see that individuals with Down syndrome are worth celebrating,” she said.
Amiera’s schoolmates at St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School will help celebrate by wearing crazy socks too. As an added bonus, Amiera will receive a Great Gains award during a school assembly.
“We’re also going to visit some of the businesses in town that are participating and thank them for their support,” Black said.
Black said crazy socks were picked for today because they’re fun and unique and because they are conversation starters.
“We should all embrace our uniqueness and be free to have fun with it. I like to think the crazy socks represent that freedom. Be ourselves and accept others for who they are without stereotypes and fear,” she said.
Amiera’s sister, Sadie, brother, Gracin, and father, Wayne, will also help to celebrate today.
3 Comments on "Youngster ready to celebrate uniqueness on International Down Syndrome Day"
Good job Amiera! Congrats to the whole Black family as they advocate for this wonderful organization and support Amiera and others in educating the general population!
Rebecca M
Thanks for covering this story Heather! And great idea to catch a Goderich Councillor wearing the socks! We really hope this campaign today spreads awareness of World Down Syndrome Day and how our child is just like every other child – they still love to have fun! Just like John Grace loves to have fun!
Thanks John!
Down Syndrome is NOT a disease!!!