We spoke to Tineke Ganz Malan
from Down Syndrome Association Western Cape, which is 40 years of age.
This organisation got started
by a group of parents who realise that they need to do something to assist
there children to develop. One of the fathers travelled a lot, and when he went
on his trips he use to collect as much information as possible.
Tineke explains: “Down Syndrome is not a disorder
you suffer from, you get born with Down syndrome disorder meaning it is a
genetic condition, that sits in your genes and not something passed down from
parents, you are literally born with an extra piece of genetic material on the
21 chromosome and that extra material causes developmental delay and the
features that goes with down syndrome, which means there development is more
slower, they find things more difficult to handle and get tired more easily ect.”
They do have programmes that
they run which expanded over the years. As circumstance are not always easy,
where by the disorder do not always become the biggest problem, but what you
will be putting on the table, hence Down Syndrome Association Western Cape does
outreach programmes and support groups in the communities to assist parents to
start with their children from an early age.
Tineke explains further: “just
because they are Down syndrome one should not feel sorry for them, and they can
still have a healthy lifestyle, meaning they can work and do things for
themselves, but only needs to be kept an eye on. The only sad part is they will
always be depended the older they get, they can not live on there own.”
For more information
contact:
Website: www.downwc.co.za
Email: info@downwc.co.za
Tel: 021 919 8233
BY: Jasnine Roberts
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