Down syndrome children celebrating

Recently parents with children who has Down syndrome celebrated with their children at a fun filled event held at the Lynnville Park.

The children also had a visit from actors of 7de Laan, who enjoyed the day with them. Group photos were also taken by the actors after they had enjoyed the event with the children at the Lynnville Park.

The children were also visited by Witbank Spurs players during the event and took a group photo with the team. Themba Mafu encouraged children and asked them to come and watch some of their games. The association were presented with a cheque of R3 000. Mr Mafu went to say that they were adopting the children and would develop a relationship with them to last for a long time.

Information indicates that in every cell in the human body there is a nucleus where genetic material is stored in genes. Genes carry the codes responsible for all of our inherited traits and are grouped along rod-like structures called chromosomes. Typically, the nucleus of each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, half of which are inherited from each parent. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21.

This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the centre of the palm – although each person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all.

For centuries, people with Down syndrome have been alluded to in art, literature and science. It wasn’t until the late nineteenth century, however, that John Langdon Down, an English physician, published an accurate description of a person with Down syndrome. It was this scholarly work, published in 1866, that earned Down the recognition as the “father” of the syndrome. Although other people had previously recognized the characteristics of the syndrome, it was Down who described the condition as a distinct and separate entity.

The association would like to thank all the people and companies who supported them. They said they supported with tents, toilets, entertainment, a sound system and food for the children. The companies are Donald Masinga of Soliphetha Trading Enterprise, Vusi Ntuli of Vuka Vusi, Lorreze Makzo, Emalahleni FM (What’s up raise your voice) and the programme director Fana Thusko.