27/03/2026
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on the 21st of March every year. This year's theme is *Together Against Loneliness*. My youngest child, Ishaan has Down Syndrome. Ishaan has an amazing imagination and many imaginary friends. It started off with a couple of friends named Oh Oh and Ti Ti (later on, we realized that these characters were Oh and Tip from one of his favourite movies, "Home"). He holds up his index fingers and pretends that they are Oh Oh and Ti Ti, talking to each other. I've seen him use these imaginary friends as emotional regulation tools as well. He talks in different voices for each of these characters and they encourage each other. He knows (self-taught) how to separate his thoughts from himself, externalizing it to his "friends". I often hear them discussing something that is his (Ishaan's) own worry.
I sometimes think he created these friends as a sort of buffer against loneliness. Over the past couple of years or so, he has added more and more friends to the initial duo. There's Dragon, Heavy Thing, Guy, Girl and Uncle, for now. He is a very emotionally attuned person, not just to himself, he's also very aware of the emotions of others. He feels the emotional temperature, even when he doesn't have all the words for it.
Ishaan is the embodiment of the phrase, "World Without Strangers", where everyone he meets is a potential friend, regardless if they are adults or children. He goes out of his way to talk to others, everywhere we go. He's always ready with a smile and a "Hi" for everyone and he seems to instinctively know how to stave off loneliness. People gravitate towards him, because, he truly "sees" them and is genuinely kind. They're always wanting to buy him a treat or give him something. There are times, however, when his enthusiasm is not reciprocated and he'll say, "No look at me." with a shrug and a short-lived disappointed expression. That doesn't seem to deter him from being friendly to the next person.
There is a perception that people with Down Syndrome are always happy. Many individuals with Down Syndrome are generally, warm and easy-going. However, they aren't always cheerful or in a good mood. They have a range of nuanced emotions, just as we all do. What I do notice is that they tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves and express how they feel in a genuine and sincere manner. That is something we can all learn from.
Not every person with Down Syndrome is as extroverted as Ishaan. Up until now, he's had mostly positive interactions with others. I do have concerns over how the next few years will pan out, as middle childhood can be a challenging time for kids (regardless if they have a disability or not) and I worry about the inevitable gap he will feel, between himself and his peers, as they grow up. I am hoping that his ability to "read" people and the love from his family will hold him in good stead. As a parent, there is that innate feeling of wanting to protect your children, and to be honest, I sometimes wish he wasn't so friendly, especially to people who have not been exactly kind to him in return, but, it is just his nature to go out of his way to talk to others.
"Together Against Loneliness" also speaks to those of us parenting children who have special needs (or simply, children who need a little bit more extra support). This year's World Down Syndrome Day theme reminds us that no parent should have to walk this journey alone. Raising a child with Down Syndrome is deeply meaningful, but it also comes with moments that can feel isolating, especially when the world doesn’t always understand. This is where community becomes transformative. When parents come together, they find more than just shared experiences, they find reassurance, practical wisdom, and the quiet strength that comes from being truly seen. Camaraderie turns uncertainty into courage, and a strong support system, whether through family, friends, healthcare providers, or peer groups becomes the foundation that sustains both parent and child. Together, these connections don’t just reduce loneliness; they empower families to thrive, advocate, and celebrate every milestone, big or small.
Happy World Down Syndrome Day 2026! "Together Against Loneliness" is something we could all aspire to, every day, in alignment with Ishaan's "World Without Strangers".
