World Down Syndrome Day 2023 – Adrian’s Story

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day.

On this day, we use our collective voice to advocate for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.

This years theme is With Us Not For Us, a powerful message that reinforces the importance of people with disability being treated fairly and having the same opportunities as everyone else.

Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, accounting for approximately 15% of people with intellectual disability in Australia.

It is estimated that there are between 13,000-15,000 individuals with Down syndrome in Australia, as of 2019.

People with Down syndrome experience developmental delays early in life, however they lead happy and fulfilling lives with the help of supportive families and community members.

Here at VMCH, we are proud to support many people with Down syndrome and their families, guiding them to achieve their goals and live their best lives.

One of those people is 45-year-old Adrian, who has been part of our Community Connections program since he was 18-years-old.

Community Connections client Adrian loves his coffee!

Adrian is an enthusiastic participant of the Community Connections program, with some of his favourite activities including cooking, bowling, art and the occasional disco.

He’s also a huge fan of music, with Barbara Streisand, John Farnham and the Victorian Police band topping the list.

Adrian’s a pretty social guy - at his Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), he enjoys helping his fellow housemates with shopping, gardening and assisting them on and off the bus to activities.

You’ll also rarely catch him without a cap on, particularly his famous police cap.

Similar to many Australians, Adrian faced personal challenges when confronted with the Covid-19 lockdowns. The disruption to his regular routine was a steep hurdle, one that was difficult to overcome.

With the help of his close-knit family and the Community Connections team, Adrian was able to build his self confidence back up, and adjust to everyday life once again.

This is proudly one of Adrian’s biggest achievements to date - along with being a star ten pin bowler, averaging 3 strikes per game!

If you'd like to learn more about our Community Connections program, click here or phone 1300 698 624.