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Social Work

Commemorating World Down Syndrome Day

One of the best things about progress as a society is the visualization of groups of people who are in vulnerable situations. One of the groups that were, and unfortunately for some, continue to be in this situation, are people with Down syndrome, who have been victims of historical discrimination and this is mostly due to the misinformation that exists about their genetic condition.

To address this and to provide a better understanding of Down syndrome to society in general, the United Nations Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day. This day aims to generate empathy for people living with Down syndrome and dignify their human condition and ability to be active members of our communities.

Here we tell you a little about the history of this important day, its purpose and how in Grupo Gova we support people with Down syndrome in our community.

Since 2012, the need for inclusion has been made visible 

World Down Syndrome Day was made official on December 9, 2011, to be commemorated for the first time on March 21, 2012, in all member countries of the United Nations General Assembly. 

The declaration of World Down Syndrome Day invites governments of member nations, non-governmental and private sector organizations, as the society in general to become aware of the need to create better living conditions for people with Down syndrome, at work, family and emotional levels.

March 21 was chosen because of the symbolism of the 21st day of the third month, which represents the trisomy of chromosome 21, which causes Down syndrome.
Through the visualization of the condition and capabilities of people living with Down syndrome, society can see the advances that medicine has achieved to improve their quality of life and how they can be an active part of society. At the beginning of the 20th century, the life expectancy of people with Down syndrome was less than 10 years; today more than 80% of adults with this genetic condition are over 50 years old.

Early treatment of people with Down syndrome represents an enormous opportunity for an optimal quality of life and the development of the physical, cognitive and affective abilities to achieve a full and independent life. 

World Down Syndrome Day is an opportunity for us as siblings to realize that each person is unique and has his or her own limits and reach, and it is up to us as a society to provide opportunity and care for people with Down syndrome to reach as far as they can.

Down Syndrome in Puerto Vallarta

Since 2019, Grupo Gova has joined the social activism surrounding the search for visualization and early care for people with Down syndrome. In close collaboration with the Civil Association CEAA (Centro de Enseñanza y Aprendizaje Activo), we set out a dream that will put Puerto Vallarta as the capital in Latin America for comprehensive care so that people with Down syndrome can achieve a dignified and self-sufficient life. 

The long term project is to have a center where the best specialists for the treatment of people with Down syndrome and/or intellectual disabilities can be found. The mission is to bring together doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists and specialized pedagogues in one place, which can be accessed by families who need and want it.

While this dream materializes, in 2020, we collaborate in the creation of the Andrea 3.21 Foundation with which we seek to raise funds for the creation of this center, in addition to providing scholarships to support comprehensive treatment for people who need it.

Meanwhile, with the support of the founder of CEAA A.C., Raquel Lopez de los Reyes, we started working with the people of our community in conjunction with the RIEE Vallarta clinic where we provide care for:

Pediatric physiotherapy
Neuro rehabilitation
Speech and communication therapy
Psychology
Sensory integration
Psychometrically
Early stimulation
Developmental monitoring
Pediatric orthopedics
Pediatric neurology
Pediatric cardiology 
Clinical neurophysiology

We invite you to approach our institutions and to collaborate if you wish to achieve this dream. We also invite you to reflect this March 21st on how you can influence a more inclusive society for people with Down syndrome and/or intellectual disabilities.

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