World Down Syndrome Day is March 21, but on Friday, March 20, West Hartford Public Schools will mark the occasion with a ‘crazy socks’ day.

By Melissa Cole

Blame the dryer or blame the dog, but everyone has them. Bright, striped, polka dot or argyle, we’re talking about mismatched socks. And today is the day you’re encouraged to wear them, all for a good cause.

Saturday, March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, but the “Rock Your Socks” celebration is happening in schools across the district on Friday.

Brooke Daly, mom of 13-year-old Finn, who was born with Down syndrome, first brought the idea to his preschool ten years ago.

“I started when Finn was 3 years old. He was in preschool at Whiting Lane, and I went to the principal and said, ‘Hey, do you think we could celebrate World Down Syndrome Day?’ She was very receptive.”

Daly’s older daughter, Rose, was at Duffy Elementary at the time, so that school joined in too. Over the years, more and more schools got involved, and now elementary, middle, and high schools in town takes part in the mismatched sock movement, to honor and celebrate inclusion.

So why the focus on socks?

“It was chosen because chromosomes resemble pairs of socks. And the campaign just kind of highlights the extra chromosome. They have three copies of the 21st chromosome.”

You can see in this picture – the circled one, with three copies of the chromosome, is Chromosome 21. This is Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome.

“That’s why it’s always on March 21st each year. Because March is the third month, and the three copies of Chromosome 21.”

Finn is now a seventh grader at Sedgwick Middle School, and on Friday, his mom is heading there to connect with students and continue her mission of raising awareness.

“I’ll read an age-appropriate book to the kids. And really just ask them questions and, and try to talk about some of the stereotypes of Down Syndrome and disability in general. Just kind of open up a conversation. The kids are just so great.”

Kids often have misconceptions about Down syndrome.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that people think Down syndrome is a disease, which it isn’t. It’s not something you can catch. A lot of times kids will ask, ‘Will Finn grow out of it?’ And the answer is no – it’s something he’ll always have, and that’s okay.”

Daly recently shared a photo of Finn on social media with the headline “Characteristics of Down Syndrome.” Surrounding him were phrases like “beautiful eyes,” “heart full of love,” and “a need to belong” – a positive take meant to counter some of the negative descriptions she often finds online.

“I have been a part of the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut since Finn was little and a couple of the moms and I got together saying, hey, you know, when you go out and look for information on Down syndrome, if you Google it, the images can be quite scary or unrealistic”

Daly goes on to say “part of the messaging that we want to get out there is that when people with disabilities are supported, you never know what they’re capable of doing, of all the great things that they can accomplish.”

She also credits the special education teachers across town for the incredible work they do, along with inclusive programs like Unified Sports, Unified Theater, and The Next Chapter bookstore in the Center, which helps students build skills and gain work experience for life after school.

So if you see someone wearing crazy socks on Friday, you’ll know they’re celebrating all the wonderful things about people with Down syndrome. Even wearing blue and yellow, the colors associated with Down Syndrome, can show your support.

“Yes, it’s a great conversation starter. It’s something fun for the kids, and a great way to get them involved.”

And for Daly, it’s also a way to honor her own son, who is loved by so many throughout the community.

“Just having the opportunity to share Finn with the world and let people know what an awesome kid he is – and that just because he has a disability, it doesn’t define him as a person.”

The Dalys also like to add a charity component to each World Down Syndrome Day, so this year kids are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the West Hartford Food Pantry, in addition to wearing their fun mismatched socks to school.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.