Today, 3/21, is World Down Syndrome Day. The date was chosen to represent the third copy of the twenty-first chromosome that causes Down Syndrome, or Trisomy 21.
People with Down Syndrome most often experience learning disabilities that create difficulties in advocating for themselves. In part it is up to us, the church, to advocate for such people. Unfortunately, the church doesn't do much of this--at least not yet. There is, however, a growing awareness both in the church and the academy related to people with disabilities, their sacred worth before God, and steps able-bodied and able-minded Christians can take to be in ministry with them. See, for example, Amos Yong's recent book, The Bible, Disability, and the Church (Eerdmans, 2011).
To learn more about World Down Syndrome Day, click here.