As part of its corporate social responsibility, First Bank Plc, through its Volunteers Employee Scheme (VES), has partnered with the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria to provide succour for people living with the disorder, as well as support the advocacy platform of the foundation.
Speaking at an event to raise awareness on the health issue, the Head, Sponsorship and Event, First Bank Plc, Mrs. Bridget Oyesefo-Odusami, said it was high time people knew that down syndrome was not a disease, but a challenge, which through love and support, can ensure that persons living with the challenge were free to socialise and contribute positively to the society.
According to her, families with children living with down syndrome should not be shy to bring the children out to mix up, as this could be a way of enhancing the ability in them. “These children don’t have disability, but special ability, which every one should bring out in them,” she noted.
She also called on other corporate organisations and the government to make issues of challenged Nigerians a priority, as they were also very important members of the society.
On her part, the Head Teacher of the Foundation, Mrs Helen Bassey, said any parent still hiding their child living with down syndrome, was not only doing the family no good, but was also doing great injustice to the child, as they may grow up unable to face life’s challenges, as well as mingle with people.
“You can see how the children in this foundation are interacting with everyone. They are not scared of hitting a conversation with strangers. They are also not ashamed of engaging in activities like dancing, singing, and playing games, and this is majorly because they interact. They are not locked up inside the house,” she noted.
She said the interaction and training from the foundation has helped the children in a great way. “One of them, Solomon is already on set with Wale Adenuga movies. The same Solomon won a silver medal in United States recently. There are also some of them who can bake cakes, paint, sing, play musical instruments, among others,” she added.
She believed if government supports the children, it would also help in encouraging other families having children living with down syndrome to come out.
Also lending his voice, a parent of one of the children, Mr. Muyiwa Majekodunmi said he was blessed having a child with that condition, adding that the boy has brought a lot of joy to his life. “I have never been ashamed of him. I believe we can only ask God questions, we cant question him, so I have learn’t to love him and give him all the good treats of life. I take him along to every where I go to,” he added.
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