‘Lots of Socks’ event to honor World Down Syndrome Day on March 21
The point of wearing wacky socks is to remind people that "things that are different are still beautiful and wonderful," says a representative of the Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation in Hauppauge. Credit: Getty Images / iStockphoto / Kameel
If you see an unusual number of people wearing wacky or mismatched socks on Wednesday, it’s because it’s the “Lots of Socks” event in honor of World Down Syndrome Day.
The point of wearing the socks is to remind people that “things that are different are still beautiful and wonderful,” says Jenny Andersson of Miller Place, who works for the Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation in Hauppauge and has a 15-year-old daughter, Sarah, with Down syndrome.
The silly socks create conversation starters, Andersson says. People will ask “Why are you wearing those socks?” and she will explain that they’re symbolic. She says she’ll explain that people with Down syndrome also may not be “typical,” but they’re still awesome. “It brings awareness and acceptance,” she says.
For more information, visit worlddownsyndromeday.org/lots-of-socks.
Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting and great things to do with the kids on Long Island. She’s been a Newsday editor and shared a 1997 Newsday staff Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.
