Raise awareness of Down Syndrome with a Blue Ribbon

An Exeter local has come up with a unique way of raising awareness of what Down Syndrome is and what it means to have the condition as part of World Down Syndrome Day.

World Down Syndrome Day, which takes place this year on 21st March, encourages friends of Down Syndrome International all over the world to choose their own activities and events to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have the condition and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.

Exeter local Grace Parker has created the Tie a Blue Ribbon page, which aims to create awareness of the condition by asking people to tie a blue ribbon around someone, something or somewhere they love and messaging it to the page.

Grace said:

"I hope to gather as many pictures from all over the world of people's ribbons, whilst they take a moment to think about the love, joy and  inspiration individuals with Down Syndrome bring to their lives! Or in fact those with Down Syndrome celebrating themselves!."

Grace, whose cousin Hope has Down Syndrome, has previously raised awareness by asking people to paint their nails Blue.

Grace said:

"This is personal to my family and I as our two year old cousin has Down Syndrome. She is a little fighter with so much determination and strength she was born three months prematurely spending lots of time in various Prenatal wards in various hospitals. She spent this Christmas in hopsital due to illness but still managed to find a smile no matter how poorly she was feeling. She has just been inspiring and such a little bundle of fun!"

" I hope that tieing a blue ribbon allows people just to take a minute or two to celebrate individuals achievements especially those with Down Syndrome in time for World Down Syndrome day."

To get involved please visit https://www.facebook.com/tieablueribbonforworlddownsyndromeday14