October an important month for Down Syndrome Centre North East

October is one of The Down Syndrome Centre North East’s (DSCNE) favourite months of the year – Down Syndrome Awareness Month. 

DSCNE, a local organisation which is run by a voluntary board of directors & parents of children with Down Syndrome and based in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, provides free and heavily subsidised dedicated services specific to children with Down Syndrome, and their families in Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Meath & surrounding areas.

The Down Syndrome Awareness Month started in the 1980s by the National Down Syndrome Society. The express goal was to spread awareness as well as greater understanding about Down syndrome and to promote advocacy and foster inclusion throughout the community.

Down syndrome is far and away the most common condition involving chromosomes with approximately one baby being born out of every 444 births here in Ireland. It is currently estimated that there are about 7,000 people in Ireland with Down syndrome.

DSCNE invites Dundalk Democrat readers to follow its social media pages to meet some of the incredible children and families that attend the centre in Carrickmacross, showcasing the many abilities that their loved ones have. 

Although children with Down syndrome may experience developmental and learning delays and possibly health problems, those born with this condition can grow up to be independent adults. What is most important is what happens after birth. Early intervention therapy is an essential part of that which is what DSCNE offers.

Alongside dedicated therapies such as Speech and Language Therapy, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Early Intervention Groups, School Age programmes, Counselling, and a Family Support Worker they also offer fun social activities and events such as baby massage, Moo Music sensory classes, tween and teens clubs, podiatry, reflexology, dance and holiday camps – to name a few. They also have an immersive sensory room and lending library available to families to use as needed.

At present there are 120 families on the mailing list, with over 80 attending at least one therapy or class each month. Families come primarily from Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath, but families from surrounding areas are also welcome such as Armagh and Down.

The Down Syndrome Centre North East will also be celebrating its sixth anniversary this month and is looking forward to taking on an additional unit in its current building, CTEK1, in the coming weeks, allowing for more space to meet the demands and needs of the growing number of families availing of the services and supports that this local charity provides.

Annually the charity produces a beautiful calendar featuring children that attend the centre, and this year the theme is “Me” showcasing the beauty and personalities of 50 children. These retail for just €5 and make an excellent Christmas gift so look out for them at local markets and fairs in November and December, as well as their website www.dscnortheast.ie as they sell out every year.

DSCNE says it is thankful to its main sponsor Activ8 Solar Energies who once again is supporting the calendar, as well as many other local companies, many who support the calendar each year, but also new businesses that are coming on board this year.

Like any other child, children with Down syndrome vary in their abilities and achievements. Nobody can tell you what your child can and will achieve. All we know is that there are thousands of people in Ireland with Down syndrome who have accomplished and continue to accomplish, many great things and the calendar is just a small snapshot of this.

As a charity, DSCNE is reliant on donations, grants and fundraisers. The summer programmes have been partly funded by the HSE National Lottery Grant for several years, and this year they are through to the National Lottery National Finals under the Health and Wellbeing category recognising the effort, commitment and impact in the community that the charity has achieved.

Five representatives will be attending a Black Tie Gala Dinner on 12th October in Killashee House Hotel, Co. Kildare and everyone at DSCNE wishes them the best of luck.