Social media is awash with posts celebrating this year's World Down Syndrome Day.
Hashtags 'ShareTheJourney', 'ICouldBe', and 'LeaveNoOneBehind' have dominated Twitter and Facebook today as people across the country raise awareness for Down Syndrome and challenge misconceptions about those who have it.
Many people have also opted to wear odd socks to mark the extra chromosome that people with Down Syndrome are born with.
Down Syndrome Ireland are using the day to challenge the outdated ideas about the genetic disorder while also promoting the reality of living with Down Syndrome in this country.
The charity encouraged supporters to use social media to raise awareness of Down Syndrome and to celebrate those living with trisomy, the triplication of the 21st chromosome.
https://twitter.com/DownSyndromeIRL/status/1108732735449903105
Speaking on
Morning Ireland today, Down Syndrome Ireland CEO Gary Owens encouraged people to challenge their attitudes towards children with Down Syndrome specifically.
He said that there is now more access to speech and occupational therapy to help young people with the genetic disorder access mainstream education and, later in life, employment opportunities.
The Down Syndrome Centre have also contributed to today's celebration by launching their new campaign 'I Could Be.'
https://twitter.com/IrishRail/status/1108692593473449984
Featuring the faces of 18 children with Down Syndrome, the photos are displayed around Dublin city centre today alongside professions that each of the kids, aged between six and 16, could be in the future.
These included a politician, a TV presenter, a model, a fashion designer, and a chef.
https://twitter.com/dublincastleopw/status/1108756126215090176
https://twitter.com/gaiety_theatre/status/1108757465934544896
https://twitter.com/trottolina_ie/status/1108654713455677441
https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/1108713504561946625
https://twitter.com/NCH_Music/status/1108697109174407168
"An important part of ‘I Could Be’ was for each of the children to spend some time with each of the businesses and organisations that are supporting the campaign," said the centre.
"This turned out to be a lot of fun for all involved."
You can find each of the children's locations by clicking
here.
