World Down Syndrome Day party held at Bingemans

A celebration three years in the making was held at Bingemans Tuesday night.

The Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society (WWDSS) hosted a party in honour of World Down Syndrome Day.

"[I get to] hang out with all my friends and have a good time for Down Syndrome," said partygoer Ren Franklin.

March 21 celebrates the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21^st chromosome, which produces Down Syndrome.

This is the first time the group has gotten together since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.

"It's not so easy for members of our community with Down Syndrome through the pandemic," said WWDSS co-chair Janine Oosterveld. "They really isolated a lot of times, whether with volunteers or at school. They weren't able to meet in person. Now that we're back together in person it's a great opportunity to see one another in person and build that community again."

The group says they've also transition most programs and services back to in-person to allow individual members to connect with one another and with community supports.

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