By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria has reiterated the need for greater social inclusion, healthcare support and employment opportunities for persons living with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

The call was made during the foundation’s 19th Inter-House Sports event held in Lagos, where children and young adults with Down syndrome participated in various sporting activities aimed at promoting confidence, physical wellbeing and a sense of belonging.

Speaking at the event, the PTA Chairman of the foundation, Mrs. Oluwabunmi Sosina, said the initiative was designed to ensure that children with intellectual disabilities are not left behind in society.

According to her, the programme helps the children realise that they are part of society and deserve equal opportunities like their peers.

“Down Syndrome Foundation is a school for those with intellectual disabilities. We want society not to leave them behind. Every child matters and they must know they belong,” she said.

She noted that the enthusiasm displayed by the participants during the sporting activities reflects how much they value inclusion.

“The children are enjoying themselves because they know they are not left behind. They now understand the sports they see others doing and are happy to participate themselves,” she added.

While acknowledging some progress in awareness and support, Sosina said there is still a wide gap between Nigeria and developed countries in terms of healthcare and social support for children with Down syndrome.

She appealed to government at all levels to support parents who often bear the financial and emotional burden of caring for children with special needs.

“Parents are doing a lot. School fees and healthcare are expensive. In some countries abroad, parents receive support, but here they struggle to even get quick medical attention when they take their children to hospitals,” she said.

President of the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, Mrs. Rose Mordi, described the event as part of the organisation’s efforts to promote social inclusion for people with Down syndrome.

She explained that the foundation, which is marking its 25th anniversary this year, introduced the annual sporting event to help integrate persons with Down syndrome into society.

“This is the 19th edition of our inter-house sports. It is part of our social inclusion activities because these children have been hidden away and deprived of their rights for so long,” she said.

Mordi added that the event also brings together children from regular schools and parents in order to foster interaction and acceptance.

She, however, urged government to take deliberate steps to implement policies that promote inclusion, particularly the Disability Act signed into law over seven years ago.

“The implementation has not been fully realised. Government needs to walk the talk by ensuring inclusion in education, employment and other areas of life,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs. Nancy Peter of Linkage Assurance Plc, the sole sponsor of the event, said the company’s support was driven by a commitment to care and social responsibility.

“For us at Linkage Assurance, it is an opportunity to relate with the children and show that we see them not as disabled but as differently-abled individuals,” she said.

Peter added that with the right support and opportunities, many of the children could excel in sports and other areas.

Similarly, the school administrator, Mrs. Chaota Hassan, described the event as both a celebration and a platform for awareness.

According to her, stigma and stereotypes still make many parents hide children with Down syndrome from society.

“It has not been easy because of the stigma. Many parents hide their children, but this event is to show them that they are not alone and that these children can live meaningful lives with support and encouragement,” she said.

She stressed that the goal of the sporting event was not competition but inclusion and celebration of the children’s abilities.

“Even if a child does not finish a race like others, the fact that they attempted it means they are winners,” she added.