About GCDSS

Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society is dedicated to each buddy and their family here on the Coast. Listen, an extra chromosome doesn’t confine a person to a box with a label; therefore, don’t assume you know what they need. Our buddies are all unique individuals with unique needs. Our goal is to lift each one up, help them achieve their goals, and provide opportunities for them to thrive, all while supporting and respecting their needs.

Join in the conversation. Be an advocate. Find ways to help tear down the outdated and discriminatory labels. Our best advice? Be a friend.

Adjust.

Just because something is different doesn’t make it wrong. A person born with Down syndrome has had to work harder to achieve things we all take for granted. It was harder for most of our buddies to walk, but many of them can. It was harder for most buddies to talk, but many do. The problem isn’t the individual who has to work harder to accomplish life goals; the issue is society not believing they can. We are glad you’re here to learn how to celebrate Down syndrome and our heroes who break down barriers every single day.

Now that you are here, let’s talk about ways to get involved:

INCLUSION, INCLUSION, INCLUSION

Why is inclusion so important?

“Inclusion isn’t just inviting someone to sit at your table. It’s believing they belong there.” ~Mia Carella

We have all been left out at some point in our lives. It doesn’t feel good. It can leave scars that we carry, even if we don’t know it. People with Down syndrome often get left out because people assume they can’t. The better way would be to ask if they can; don’t assume. You may have to be creative to be inclusive. You may have to think outside the box. Here’s the best part: if you include a buddy, you will likely learn more from them than they will learn from you. The only way to be truly inclusive is to fully accept the person. Like the person for who they are. Find things in common. And if all else fails… DANCE! You can never go wrong dancing with our buddies.

The reality is this, today… people with Down syndrome and other disabilities do not get included. They do not receive the full benefit from full and effective participation in a society that demands it. Why? Because most won’t take the time to learn what their needs may be. Some won’t have the patience to learn how to communicate with a buddy. And some have been taught to look away and not talk to people with disabilities altogether. So many missed opportunities.

If you take this new path of acceptance with me for our buddies, I promise your life will be fuller and have more meaning. I can guarantee more smiles and laughter in your life. I know you will learn more about yourself that will ultimately make you a better human. This may be for them, but it is for you, too.

SHOW UP

The time for talk is over; make plans to get involved. Find ways to be the one doing the including. From greeting a buddy in school, or helping open the door for a buddy at the grocery store, or asking a buddy to throw out a first pitch at your game… that’s how you can show up. We definitely want you at our Buddy Walk every single year and participating in all GCDSS events across the coast, but this has to be bigger. The showing up has to become a part of your soul. If you include a buddy, I can also promise that they will show up for you, too.

RAISE AWARENESS

It’s great to participate in our walks. They truly do make everyone feel amazing. If you haven’t been to one, make this the year. It is a full day of love; a love you didn’t know even existed. However, our buddies were born with an extra chromosome that is with them every day of their life. I wouldn’t change anything about them. They were born who they were meant to be, just like you. So if they fight through their challenges all year long, showing up for one day can’t be enough. They need your friendship and your presence to learn from, too. Acceptance can’t happen until everyone has awareness… help us get there.

LEARN

Chromosome 21 likely contains 200-300 genes that provide instructions for making proteins. These proteins perform a variety of different roles in the body. A person born with Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome has a third copy of chromosome 21.