New ‘21 Faces’ campaign challenges perceptions around Down syndrome

By Mary Dennehy

A NUMBER of local children are the stars of a new campaign which hopes to challenge misconceptions and create more understanding around Down syndrome – by promoting the individual lives and uniqueness of 21 children living across the city.

Noah Staunton from Springfield in Tallaght is one of five local children taking part in the Down Syndrome Centre’s new campaign, 21 Faces – which features portraits of 21 children with Down syndrome. 

The campaign aims to celebrate the uniqueness and diversity of children with Down syndrome, with the charity planning to follow, celebrate and record the development and progress of the 21 children featured over the coming years.

Noah’s mother Paulette told The Echo: “This campaign is so important for us and other families that have a child with Down syndrome.

“We are just like any other family and all I want is for Noah to be accepted.

“However, this is not the case a lot of the time as people look at him differently, they look at what they perceive to be his limitations – and you wouldn’t believe it but people do still stop and stare.”

She added: “I didn’t know Noah had Down syndrome until he was born so it was a big shock in the early days and it was tough.

“However, I learned quickly that Noah is perfect and just like any other child he loves playing, meeting new people and is an awful prankster.

“He is the most caring, gentle child that you’ll ever meet and always has hugs and kisses when he meets people.

“Down syndrome is not something to be shunned and we need to teach our children that we don’t all have to be the same, we’re not all the same.

“Sometimes other children are afraid to come and speak with Noah or adults can be unsure of how to deal with a family that has a child with Down syndrome.

“However, our family is the same as anybody else’s and we would just love for people to see Noah for who he is – Down syndrome is something that he has but it is not who he is.

 “Our lives are the better for Noah and we would love for people to engage with the campaign and see the children behind Down syndrome.” 

Noah will feature in the campaign alongside Lara Gilson (4) and Ellie Talbot (2), both from Clondalkin, Lilah Ward (13 months) from Rathcoole and Hazel Buchanan (7) from Ballycullen, Tallaght.

The portraits of the 21 children will feature in a citywide poster campaign and also across the Dublin Bus fleet.

Lorraine Murphy of the Down Syndrome Centre said: “Down syndrome is very recognisable but people with Down syndrome are not a homogenous group – when viewed as a collection these images support our message of uniqueness and individuality.

“Yes these children may share some common physical characteristics but in reality they look more like their brothers and sisters than they do like each other.

“They are as unique and diverse as the rest of us.”

The Down Syndrome Centre is a charity and 100 per cent of its funding comes through fundraising.

Anybody who would like to support the work of the charity or learn more about 21 Faces or the supports offered is encouraged to visit www.downsyndromecentre.ie.

Text DSC to 50300 to donate €4 or log onto www.downsyndromecentre.ie/21faces to make an online donation.