The Meaning of World Down Syndrome Day 2023 for the World and Humanity
WARTAJOGJA.ID - World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is
the main basis for the resolution from the United Nations (UN) that the world
has agreed that World Down Syndrome Day will be celebrated on March 21. This
has also been officially declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on
December 20, 2007 which stated that World Down Syndrome Day falls on March 21.
Apart from that, it was also strengthened based on a resolution from the UN,
that World Down Syndrome Day was established by the UN in 2012 through the UN
general assembly on December 19, 2011.
The
United Nations (UN), through the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (CRPD), states that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities is a United Nations International Human Rights agreement which is
intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
As
is known, Down Syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra
chromosome. Chromosomes are part of the genes that determine the formation and
function of the baby's body during pregnancy and after birth. Someone who has
Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome so that in general there are
only two 21st chromosomes, while someone who has Down syndrome has three 21st
chromosomes.
Down
Syndrome can also be recognized by looking at the clinical manifestations which
are quite typical. This disorder, which has an impact on retarded physical and
mental growth, was first recognized in 1866 by Dr John Langdon Down, because it
has characteristics such as relatively short height, a narrow head, a flat nose
resembling a Mongoloid and is often also known as mongolism.
Children with Down Syndrome in Yogyakarta. (Photo by Hendro SB/Warta Jogja)
Celebration of World
Down Syndrome Day in Indonesia
Every
March 21st around the world celebrates WDSD. In this case, Indonesia is
celebrating World Down Syndrome Day based on the international theme, namely
"With Us Not For Us". The Indonesian government itself has also
ratified the CRPD through Law no. 19 of 2011 concerning Ratification of the
Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (Convention Concerning
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). Then, the Indonesian government has
also passed the Law on Persons with Disabilities (UU No.8/2016) which adopts
the CRPD.
And
then, at the celebration of World Down Syndrome Day especially in the Special
Region of Yogyakarta city, which part one of the provinces in Indonesia also
referred to the international theme of WDSD, namely "With Us Not For
Us". Yogyakarta Province itself also has Regional Regulation no. 5 of 2022
concerning the Implementation, Respect, Protection and Fulfillment of the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities which is also adopted from Law No. 8 of
2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities and also the CRPD.
The
series of WDSD events starting on March 5 and 19 2023, event organizers such as
the Indonesian Down Syndrome Human Foundation (YIDSI) with the Association of
Parents of Children with Down Syndrome (POTADS), Peneleh Publishers and also
the main things are getting support from the Special Region government of
Yogyakarta Province and Media Partners (News Outlet) from Warta Jogja have
organized the celebration smoothly.
The
WDSD event on March 5, 2023 was successfully held at Yogyakarta City Hall
included the Charity Gowes which was participated by the people of the city of
Yogyakarta, then the competitions which were specifically participated in by
people with Down Syndrome, such as the Fashion Show and Batik Umpluk coloring
competition.
The
WDSD series of events on March 19, 2023, which was also held at Yogyakarta City
Hall, several activities were also successfully carried out including Music
Performances, Fashion Shows, Martial Arts, Angklung Performances and also
special dance performances created by Indonesian Art Maestro named Didik Nini
Thowok and then a Talk Show with theme about "Syndromatography".
Vice
Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province, KGPAA Paku Alam X gives
a moral support to the committee members involved in the WDSD 2023 event. He is
pleased with the existence of disability organizations in the city of
Yogyakarta, as individuals with Down syndrome can be well-monitored.
Importantly, there is no distinction among any group of people.
“I
am very happy and support organizations for people with disabilities in
Yogyakarta. In essence, I representing the government of Yogyakarta, highly
appreciate and fully support the WDSD 2023 event,” he said on Sunday, March 19,
2023.
Following
the theme of the WDSD 2023, KGPAA Paku Alam X will fight to ensure the rights
of inclusion and well-being for individuals with Down Syndrome by creating a
conducive and supportive environment. Additionally, he emphasizes should have
leave the stigma or stereotype that individuals with Down Syndrome are
dependent on others.
“I
really hope that the synergy between organizations of Down Syndrome and the
government itself can work well together,” he said.
The Martial Art Team of Down Syndrome in Yogyakarta city, along with Journalists from Warta Jogja taking a group photo together. (Photo by Hendro SB/Warta Jogja)
Local Wisdom of
Martial Arts of Down Syndrome in the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province
The
Martial Arts specifically designed for individuals with Down Syndrome is a
series of simple martial movements with graceful and humble martial art
stances. These movements incorporate artistic elements from the world of
martial and consist only of a few basic repetitive motions, moving alternately
to the right and left.
The
Art of Martial for Down Syndrome also serves to stimulate the brain to remain
actively engaged. Additionally, it is designed to train motor skills,
sensitivity and synchronize the connection between feelings and movements for
individuals with Down Syndrome.
The
founding members of the Indonesian Down Syndrome Humanity Foundation (YIDSI)
and also the Chairman of the Disability Communication Forum in Yogyakarta
Province, Ludy Bima Sena explained that the introduction of Martial Art for
Down Syndrome in the city of Yogyakarta can get more confidence in individuals
with Down Syndrome to showcase themselves in front of the general public.
Ludy,
who is also the Creator of Martial Art for Down Syndrome in the city of
Yogyakarta emphasizes the desire to introduce them more to the general public
in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and even globally. He aims to show that individuals
with Down Syndrome have abilities equal to those without disabilities and can
perform on stage just like anyone else.
“This
is also a long journey, and it is not easy to build and train them,” said the
man who also serves as the Chairman of the Committee for the Celebration of
WDSD 2023.
Furthermore,
as commonly known, individuals with Down Syndrome fall under the category of
intellectual disabilities, which means that most of them can only be trained,
and only a few can be educated. Therefore, regular training is necessary to
continuously develop their skills, enabling them to perform at their best and
forming a solid team in the Art of Martial.
Thus,
Ludy views that his expectations so far have been successfully. Throughout the
year 2022, the team from Martial Art for Down Syndrome has performed more than
20 times in various activities or events held in Yogyakarta.
“So,
it aligns with what I have been hoping for all along. That individuals with
Down Syndrome can confidently perform on stage and become more widely
recognized by the public,” he stated.
The performance of the Martial Art for Down Syndrome team at the peak of the WDSD 2023 celebration provides a different kind of inspiration, especially in the post Covid-19 pandemic era. Therefore, Ludy hopes that their appearance in the WDSD 2023 celebration will make them more widely recognized, particularly in the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia and even internationally. (*)
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