Wear lots of socks, mismatch your socks, and help spread the word about World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD).

Celebrated on the 21st day of the third month of the year, this day was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

Established in 2006, WDSD is observed in many countries around the world and since 2012 has been declared a global awareness day by the United Nations.

The day was created to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a role in lives and communities.

Wearing mismatched, or brightly coloured socks is just one of the ways people around the globe are choosing to support people with Down syndrome on this day.

In Canada one in every 700 to 900 babies is born with Down syndrome, and currently in B.C. there are 4,000 residents who have Down syndrome.

During WDSD, the hashtag and is being used to enable people with Down syndrome to speak up, be heard and influence government policy and action, to be fully included in the community.

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