Liberian Group Wants End To Discrimination Against Down Syndrome Patients

Monrovia – My Heart’s Appeal, a community-based program of the Down Syndrome Association of Liberia, is confidant people with the condition can contribute to the society if given the opportunity.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that delays the development of a person, according to the National Down Syndrome Society. 

It is caused by abnormal cell division during birth that results in additional unnecessary genetic material arising from chromosome 21. 

Those afflicted generally have a distinct facial appearance, health concerns, and intellectual or developmental deficits.

“People with down syndrome face many challenges as children and adults which may prevent them from enjoying their rights,” Lovetie Major, founder of MY Heart’s Appeal, said at the program marking the 13^th World Down Syndrome Day at the SKD Sports Complex recently. 

“Many people fail to understand that people with Down syndrome are people that may require additional support.”

“They should be recognized by society on an equal basis with others, without discrimination on the basis of disability.” 

In Liberia, there are many stereotypes affecting children with Down syndrome. They are considered witchcraft and are denied education. 

Many of them are stopped from going to schools with other children, who do not have disability, Major said. 

Mildred K. Norris, a parent of a kid with Down syndrome, said the most important thing parents can do is to show love to their kids. 

Madam Norris says, “Many days I cried when I gave birth to my daughter Precious who came down with Down syndrome”. 

She added that because of the condition of her daughter, community members usually mock her. 

“I took years crying but at the end I said God thank you,” she said. 

Also, Angeline Jimice, another mother whom daughter has Down syndrome, said for too long the Government of Liberia has played deaf hears to children with disability most especially like the ones with Down syndrome. 

According to Jimice, despite many invites sent to senior government officials including the Vice President of Liberia Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor, they failed to attend the program. 

At the program, FrontPageAfrica observed only the Director of the Division of Special and Inclusive Education at the Ministry of Education Mohamed Konneh was in attendance. 

“Every time we have a program it is so discouraging so disheartening,” says Jimice.

“Let them (the government) know that people with disabilities are human beings that can contribute to this nation.” 

Konneh promised to inform the MoE about the situation and work in close consultation with other relevant government entities to ensure people with Down syndrome are assisted. 

“We will have to combine our efforts to take the message out. We are going to network with the Ministry of Gender and the Ministry of Health. We know change comes very slowly but if we continue to work it will come to pass,” he said.