World Down Syndrome Day resolution 24-07-077

50:01Now time's certain it is uh 1045, so we'll have RS1.

50:09Okay, so um is anyone here for World Down Syndrome Day? If so, please come to the podium and bring your group

50:28I think sure it was publicly.

50:33Mm-hmm.

50:36Okay, I'm gonna read the resolution.

50:39Yeah.

50:41A resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring March twenty-one, twenty twenty four as World Down Syndrome Day in Pasco County. Resolution number twenty four dash zero seven seven. Whereas World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day that has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012 and advocates for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome. And

51:12whereas Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial or whole copy of chromosome twenty-one. and it is not yet known why this syndrome occurs or what causes it. And whereas individuals with Down syndrome can achieve optimal quality of life through parental care and support, medical guidance, adequate access to health care, Early intervention programs, inclusive education, and community-based support

51:42systems, facilitating their participation in mainstream society and the fulfillment of their personal potential. and whereas World Down Syndrome Day is held on the twenty first day of the third month to signify the uniqueness of the triplication trisonomy of the twenty first chromosome that causes Down syndrome. And whereas World Down Syndrome Days goal is to educate the community about the myths surrounding Down

52:12syndrome and to stop the stereotyping of individuals with Down syndrome. And whereas around one in every 800 babies will be born with Down syndrome in the United States, and about 5,100 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year, making Down syndrome the most common chromosomal condition. And whereas individuals with Down syndrome have an inherent right to be accepted and included as

52:43valued and equal members of the community. And whereas the theme for this year's World Down Syndrome Day is End the Stereotypes, which emphasizes that stereotypes can stop people with Down syndrome from being treated like other people, and that each person with Down syndrome is different, just like everyone else. And whereas, on March 21, 2024, Pasco County can create a voice for people with Down Syndrome by illuminating

53:13landmarks in blue and yellow to commemorate World Down Syndrome Day. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said Board hereby declares March twenty one, twenty twenty four, as World Down Syndrome Day in Pasco County and encourages the illumination of landmarks in blue and yellow from dusk to dawn. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present in voting this twelfth day of March twenty twenty four.

53:43Yeah. Motion. Second. We got a motion and second by roll call vote.

53:49District two, Commissioner Weightman. Right. District three, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District four, Commissioner Bradford.

53:58District 5, Commissioner Mariano. District 1, Chairman Oakley.

54:03I motion pass 5-0. Welcome. Uh do you have something you'd like to present to us here? So

54:11yes, we do. Thank you so very much. Um respected Commissioners, I appreciate the chance to address you today. I'm Ashley and I'm joined with my four-year-old son, Tommy B. What's your name? Others. No, what's your name? Rodie. Rodie. Oh and uh partnering with um my good friend Becca here. She's also a vice president of our local nonprofit downtown organization called Friends. Um I'm the president and executive director. But

54:41um we serve families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and now we recently had Pasco County as well. So we're expanding and we love it. But um we offer essential special needs information. Information, education, and resources to expect it and new families. We also do fun activities in a safe, inclusive environment. But we want to thank you especially Councilman Waitemond for sponsoring us for today, and we thank you all for passing for March

55:1121st to be recognized as World Down Syndrome Day in Pasco County. Brother Walta on that. Thank you, Brother Wall. Say Uncle Chris. But World Down Syndrome Day, as uh Ms. Alvarez was saying, that um it was uh put by uh uh in 2012, the whole world recognizes March 21st as World Down Syndrome Day. So all over the world, um my And structures

55:42all over will light up blue and yellow, the awareness colors for Down syndrome. And uh it promotes inclusion and awareness and like the theme and stereotypes this year to end the stereotypes that, you know, people with Down syndrome um, you know, can't hold jobs, can't can't be included in regular school classes and and all that's not true. And you'll see if you watch ABC Action News actually on World Down Syndrome Day, we're gonna be interviewed about all that as well. And uh I'll

56:13hand it over to uh Rebecca here so she could talk

56:17to

56:17me.

56:18Yeah, she wants to call it

56:20good morning. Um my name's Rebecca Rocco. Um I'm a resident myself and my family is a resident of West Pasco County. Um lived here for nearly four years. I'm a wife, I'm a mother to three beautiful children and I'm also a critical care nurse. Um our daughter Lindy is eight and she really wanted to be here today. But she's in school right now in Pasco County. So Lindy, she's the biggest best sister to our twin boys, Caden and Cooper. And I do also want to thank you for allowing me to just share a minute of why Rolldown

56:50Syndrome Day means so much to me and my family. On July 5th, 2021, at just 28 weeks, we welcomed our twin boys into the world. And our Cooper here in the front was the One in 700 babies born each year with a third copy of our 21st chromosome, which is also known as Trisomie 21 or Down Syndrome. This year will be our third year celebrating Roll Down Syndrome Day. We are so excited about this. We encourage all of our friends and families to celebrate with us by wearing mismatched socks or wearing

57:20something blue and yellow, which is the colors of Down syndrome awareness. Roll-down syndrome. Which is held on March 21st is a global awareness day, like we talked about, which has been observed by the United Nations since 2012. Our family loves celebrating Rolldown Syndrome Day. My daughter saves her casual task for this day from last year every day so she can dress in blue and yellow and support her brother. And like we talked about, Roll Down Syndrome Day, you're calling for people around the world. To end the stereotypes. A

57:51stereotype is a set of ideas that people have about when someone about something or someone is like. Stereotypes can be positive, they can be negative, or neutral. But once formed, a stereotype can be difficult to change. Stereotypes about Down syndrome and those who have it can cause unwarranted fear for new parents and families, the little ones born with Down syndrome. I personally felt that fear, and I experienced despair as I sobbed for hours when learning of this diagnosis. I felt that our lives were over and

58:21we would be terminally overburdened, and that we would have no future as a family, all because of an extra microscopic entity, the most common chromosomal anomaly in humans, Trisomy 21, Down syndrome. Stereotypes are hurtful for people with Down syndrome. Intellectual disability, stereotypes can stop them from being treated like other people. They are often treated like children, they are often underestimated and often excluded. Having Down syndrome or an intellectual disability is only

58:51one small part of a person. There are many awesome things we can learn by observing those with Down syndrome. This world Down Syndrome Day, our family is asking you, are Community and commissioners to join with us in the rest of the world by declaring and recognizing March 21st as World Down Syndrome Day in Pasco County. We are also calling on the board to please consider lining up a landmark in our county in blue and yellow to show support for all those with Down syndrome. World Down Syndrome Day is

59:21so important to me and my family, and we want to do our part to help remove this. stereotypes surrounding Down syndrome as well as update a sometimes archaic public opinion as to what Down syndrome is and to what to expect from people who have it. Thank you again, um commissioners So there.

59:41Appreciate it very much.

59:48As well. Uh move to receive and file.

59:51Second? All those in favor? Uh Row Call vote.

59:55District 2, Commissioner Weightman. Aye. District 3, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District 4, Commissioner Bradford. Five. District five, Commissioner Mariano.

1:00:04Aye.

1:00:05District one, Chairman Mariano.

1:00:06Aye. Motion pass five zero. Well thank you for for coming today and making us aware of of this day. So I'm not sure if we knew about this day before, to be honest with you.

1:00:22So it's

1:00:22a

1:00:22good one.

1:00:23Spread

1:00:24of the

1:00:25same. Thank you

1:00:26so much. So y'all have a facility you go to or anything, or just through families, contact with families is how you do

1:00:34Mm-hmm. It's just word of mouth. Uh we have a a very big walk that we do, the Buddy Walk every year in October. Uh October is actually uh Down syndrome awareness month for the world. So we actually have a big uh walk. It's our biggest fundraiser. So it's just word of mouth and people um hearing about us and uh we have a website but we're trying to get the word out so

1:00:58we uh But we do big celebrations with the organization. We're actually uh having a World Down City event on the 23rd at Zoo Tampa. Where are you doing? We are celebrating something. Yeah, yes. Yeah. Zoo Tampa.

1:01:13Zoo Tampa.

1:01:14Zootampa, yes.

1:01:15Okay. Any other questions? Mr. Whiteman.

1:01:19Thank you, Chair. Yeah, Ashley and Becca and Dad. what your

1:01:25both park. Yes. You seem a little busy. In my opinion, we're all parents and grandparents here. Our kids are our most precious gift. And uh it's an honor that you all reach out to us and educate us on the challenges and the blessings that you have when raising kids that have you know this situation. So, you know, anytime that that you want to share information with us, I think we'd all probably be open to hearing and and learning more and happy

1:01:55to love and support you all as you as you go through life. So thank you for being here today. So

1:02:00we could come back in October because we actually uh spoke in front of Tampa City Council in October for Down St. Lawrence. We would love to come back.

1:02:09Okay. You have anything to say? Uh just God bless you.

1:02:15Well,

1:02:16Do you do walk in Pasco County yet? No, we are so it's just

1:02:21one central location where everybody from all the

1:02:29Wow.

1:02:31Every

1:02:31year.

1:02:33I'm looking at your website.

1:02:34Well we'll all uh come down and we'll make a picture and and actually try to put it on media that media will know about March twenty first now.

1:02:43Thank you so much.

1:03:07Ha ha ha. Oh yeah.

1:04:35Oh yeah.

1:04:42Yeah.

1:04:44The eleven o'clock just arrived.