Sara Felemban is turning 12 this month and celebrating World Down Syndrome Day Thursday with her family at activities in Jeddah sponsored by the Princess Johara Al-Brahim Center of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders. — Courtesy photo

Mohammed Alshoaiby

Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Sara Felemban is turning 12 this month and celebrating World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) with her family at activities in Jeddah Thursday, sponsored by the Princess Johara Al-Brahim Center of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders.



This year marks the eighth anniversary of the WDSD, a global event observed by the United Nations and organized by the non-profit Down Syndrome International (DSI), which takes place on March 21 every year.



Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition named after British physician John Langdon Down, who clinically described the syndrome in 1866 along with its mental and physical effects.



A joint study by King Saud and King Khaled universities revealed that almost two in every 1,000 Saudis were born with Down syndrome.



Yet, Bridget Somers-Felemban, Sara’s mother, argues that the Kingdom can do more to raise awareness on Down syndrome and facilitate better education services and health facilities for the afflicted children and their families.



“Saudi Arabia has certainly improved in the general support of children and young adults with Down syndrome and we need to see an even greater support for this well deserving group within our population,” she said.



According to Somers-Felemban, there is a noticeable increase in career opportunities for young adults with Down syndrome but mostly from sources within the private sector.



“I often think that the way forward is keeping focused on increasing awareness with days such as this special day for Down syndrome,” she added.

However, she also indicated a slow but steady increase in awareness when comparing the general public to their exposure on Down syndrome over the past ten years.



“There is a marked improvement in awareness campaign activities,” she said.

“In Jeddah, the well-known and much-loved philanthropist family of Al-Juffali has been heading such awareness campaigns regularly.”



Maha Al-Juffali heads the Help Center that offers various services to improve the quality of life for children with Down syndrome.



Al-Juffali was featured in Thomas W. Lippman’s book “Saudi Arabia On The Edge,” published by the US Library of Congress where she said: “Our oldest graduate is 30 now. He is working in a factory.”



Today, those with Down syndrome may find themselves working for a variety of different industries as part of a recruitment plan by the Ministry of Labor.



The Kingdom’s hospitals, Somers-Felemban argued, also need to be better equipped to deal with the challenges that face patients at their facilities with Down’s syndrome.



“Most public schools in the Kingdom do not offer the right environment for children with Down syndrome and special needs children in general, said Somers-Felemban, whereas public schools offer programs that cost upwards of SR40,000.



Down syndrome awareness is rising in the Kingdom with events such as World Down Syndrome Day and the increased recognition of organizations such as the Help Center.



As part of Thursday’s celebrations, Princess Al-Jawhara Al-Brahim Center of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders is holding an event to highlight the importance of active involvement of individuals with Down syndrome in the Saudi community.



The Hereditary Health Arabic website and forum is also organizing a campaign to mark the occasion by putting posters and pamphlets on their website for participants to print out and distribute as well as uploading a video on the event to YouTube and Facebook.



The website’s campaign’s theme centers around the phrase: “With ambition and work, I can achieve my goals.”