Down Syndrome Awareness Day Is Wednesday In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, OH — March 21 is Down Syndrome Awareness Day in Lakewood. City Council passed a resolution on Monday night making the recognition official. In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Day, local ice cream shop the Sweet Spot will be selling double scoops, pints and quarts with proceeds and donation going to Gigi's Playhouse, a Down syndrome achievement center in Lakewood.

The resolution to make March 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Day was put forward by Ward 3 Councilman John Litten and Ward 2 Councilman, and President of Council, Sam O'Leary. Litten told Patch he used to work at Camp Christopher, a summer camp in Bath Township, where he worked with people with disabilities. The experience was so powerful it prompted Litten to change his career focus, from graphic design to social services.

It also kept advocacy for people with disabilities lodged in Litten's mind. "There are so many causes out there it’s sometimes easy for us to, perhaps, forget our need to advocate for people with disabilities," he said. "This is a great way to keep this conversation going."

In a joint letter to City Council, Litten and O'Leary said they wanted to make Wednesday into Down Syndrome Awareness Day in Lakewood because, "This date was recognized by the United Nations General Assembly for this same purpose in 2011, and represents the three copies of the 21" chromosome found in individuals with Down Syndrome, hence 3 -21. This date has also developed into a movement to celebrate and value people with Down Syndrome around the world, and I am proud to bring it to Lakewood, Ohio."

Litten also noted there are several great organizations in Lakewood and Northeast Ohio that help people with disabilities. One of those organizations is Gigi's Playhouse, located in O'Leary's district.

With Wednesday officially becoming Down Syndrome Awareness Day, Litten is encouraging residents to volunteer. Organizations like Gigi's survive, and thrive, on the time and efforts of volunteers, he said. That's how the organization can avoid charging for its services.

"Consider volunteering [Wednesday] or any day," Litten said.

Plus, the Sweet Spot is holding its fifth annual Free Scoop Day to celebrate Spring on Wednesday. The company said on its Facebook that anyone who purchases a double scoop, pint or quart will be contributing to Gigi's Playhouse because all proceeds from the store's March 21 sales will be donated.

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