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23 March 2021

Rustenburg – For the last decade, the United Nations have recognised 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day. The number 21 is significant as 21 is the chromosome which is duplicated in people with Down Syndrome. 
The aim of the day is to have a global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down Syndrome.
Mothers pregnant with a baby with Down Syndrome are often advised to abort without knowing what their child could accomplish. In the past, parents were given a grim diagnosis of what their child might accomplish, and many were encouraged to institutionalise them. Thankfully there have been parents and people with the syndrome who have broken the stereotype of Down Syndrome. 
Shéri Brynard is South Africa’s own success story and is beautiful – both inside and out. She is the first and so far, only person with Down Syndrome in the world with a tertiary teacher’s diploma, achieved without any concessions. She holds a full-time job and is a sought-after motivational speaker that has spoken twice at the United Nations and at other fora in India, Israel, and many European countries. 
Shéri’s legacy will have far reaching consequences as she has endured a painful lumbar puncture and other tests at King’s College University to contribute to research aimed at assisting people with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.
Rustenburg has its own ambassador for Down Syndrome – Willem Meter. He runs Gwan’s Coffee Shop at a private eye clinic in Brink street and as with Shéri, is fluent in Afrikaans and English. Before COVID-19, he worked as a class assistant at Rustenburg Skool vir Buitengewone Onderwys. A work colleague, Hendrik Bodenstein, described him as an absolute gentleman and well-rounded individual. “Willem is so many things that one sentence will not do him justice.” Willem is valued and loved by his family who are thankful that he is part of their lives.

Caitlyn Moonsammy often relies on her younger sister and best friend Natasha to interpret her words to family and friends. Caitlyn is Platinum Weekly’s choice for personality and cuteness this World Down Syndrome Day.

 

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