Step into inclusion with your quirkiest socks 🧦✨!

We've delved into our sock drawers to unearth our favourite, most whimsical pairs (or mismatched duos), as we gear up to celebrate this year’s World Down Syndrome Day (#WDSD) — observed on the 21st day of the third month. It's a day when individuals and organisations worldwide rally to spotlight the talents, potential, and uniqueness of people with trisomy of the 21st chromosome, commonly known as Down syndrome. This year, kick-start the conversation from the ground up with the #LotsOfSocks campaign. So, if you haven’t already, we urge you to don your most eccentric foot attire. When people ask or remark about them, let them know it's all about drawing attention to inclusion, empowerment, and equality for people with Down syndrome. 🌍🎉

Beyond sporting socks, we're also championing this year’s WDSD theme: “End the Stereotype”. Individuals with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities often describe stereotypes as the root of discrimination. They report that false assumptions about their capabilities — to complete tasks, participate in activities, and speak for themselves — regularly lead to them being treated like children, underestimated, and excluded. On WDSD, we encourage you to visit the campaign’s website https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/

There, you’ll discover firsthand accounts and videos, shedding light on experiences of discrimination. You’ll also hear people with Down syndrome’s resounding call to be treated as unique individuals, with access to education and employment opportunities, just like everyone else.

Down syndrome affects one in 800 babies, each a unique individual, and typically entails varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability, along with associated medical issues, necessitating special care needs in many cases.

At Carefree, we're honoured to offer short opportunities for respite for unpaid carers of children and family members with Down syndrome.

One such carer is Sei, who recently took a break booked through us at the Village Hotel Liverpool. Sei's son has Down syndrome. Asked what it is like to parent a child with Down syndrome, she smiles, “Well, we live a pretty typical, chaotic and busy family life like most; Maybe with a bit more singing and dancing than average but that's more to do with me than J [my son]!” However, she says, where J does struggle is with sleep, which means that Sei and other family members too struggle to get enough rest.

“My son is mostly a delight, but his inability to sleep makes the easiest things seem impossible. I wouldn't change my son, but I would like him to sleep better. That's why getting a proper break, away from home, is vital. Not just for myself as a parent, but for my other child too. We can have some time to relax together, sleep without being woken, and do the things we want without having to think about anything else,” Sei explains. 😴💕

On this WDSD, we raise our socks to Sei’s son and all the incredible members of our community with Down syndrome and their ongoing efforts to advocate for their right to equality. We also acknowledge all the remarkable parents, family members, friends, and organisations striving daily to build the support systems necessary to ensure everyone's inclusion and empowerment in society. We wish you all a happy #WorldDownSyndromeDay and we look forward to helping many of you book a Carefree break soon. 🧦🌟