‘Rock Your Socks’ highlights individuality of those with down syndrome in Medicine Hat

Registered psychologist Angela Irvine said there’s an authenticity that many people with disabilities bring to the world.

“And just that unconditional love,” she said.

“Facing adversity in in the way that they do and how much adversity some of these individuals had to overcome, it really gives us that example of what you can overcome,” she added.

“As well as how you can thrive, even when given sometimes difficult circumstances.”

Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

World Down Syndrome Day day on March 21 brings awareness to those living with disabilities.

Alex Dudley is the parent of two children with down syndrome, and she said Adaptive Sport has been a second family for them.

She said her two sons are like night and day, being two complete opposite kids.

(right to left) Alex Dudley and her eldest son Jax. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

“That right there goes to show that two kids with the same diagnosis can be very different, and that you see down syndrome expressed uniquely, just like everybody else,” she said.

“We’re all different, and what I love about the Rock Your Socks campaign is how it really shows that different is beautiful,” she added.

“That’s an essence we want to see when it comes to knowing someone with down syndrome, to seeing the beauty in that as well.”

Alex Dudley. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Dudley said that Adaptive Sport has allowed her kids to not just play and participate, but thrive in sports.

She said World Down Syndrome Day is one more day she gets to shout from the rooftops how awesome her kids are, and for others to be able to share that same awareness.

Irvine said the socks represent the diversity and uniqueness of individuals with down syndrome.

She said there’s a richness of having people with down syndrome included in the community, and there are contributions they make that aren’t always recognized.

Irvine believes that if we don’t have the contribution of people with disabilities in the community we all lose out — not only the disability population.

She said we need to make room for everybody in our community to contribute in a way that is meaningful.

Angela Irvine. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Irvine provides counseling supports and assessment services for diagnostics for disabilities.

“I know my life has been richer for having people with down syndrome in my life,” she said.

“Lots of various disabilities that I’ve encountered and had individuals and relationships with them, not only in my work but in my personal life too.”

Irvine said it gives her joy to come to work and know that she can make a difference.

“[To] know that I’m going to be able to interact with this population, and be able to leave feeling like my buckets filled, and being able to fill their bucket a little bit.”

“I really truly believe that if we don’t have the contribution of people with disabilities in our community, we all lose out,” she added.

“It’s not just the disability population, but us too, and so we need to make room for everybody in our community- to contribute in a way that is meaningful.”

by Jayk Sterkenburg

‘Rock Your Socks’ highlights individuality of those with down syndrome in Medicine Hat

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