Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that results in an increase in the number of chromosomes from 46 to 47 chromosomes. This arises as a result of an abnormal division of cells in the genetic material of chromosome No. 21. This genetic imbalance differs from one child to another in terms of its strength, causing a mental defect and a lifelong delay in physical development, in addition to learning difficulties for those affected.
What should be noted is that DOWN’S SYNDROME is a congenital condition, not a disease, and is known by other names: Trisomy 21, Mongolian idiocy, Mongolia, and Down syndrome.
It is worth mentioning that this disease is not inherited because the main cause is a defect in the division of egg or sperm cells, or when embryos are formed. There is also no way to prevent the risk, and in this context, the patient may need to consult a doctor specializing in genetic diseases before pregnancy.
According to the Arab Center for Genetic Studies, the rate of infection doubles with age, and some thought that the disease was related to a certain race from East Asia because of the features that appear in the eyes and the flat nose, hence the name “Mongolian”.
According to the center, “This name is considered wrong, offensive and widespread, and is used in colloquial dialects in most Arab countries. The center indicated that the numbers are relatively high among patients with Down syndrome, which is represented by mental disability.
Features
There are distinctive characteristics of the affected person, although some do not disclose them, the most common of which are the following:
Slanted eyes in the shape of an almond, a clear short neck, small hands, feet and ears, and there is a single line on the palm of the hand. The person with Down syndrome is characterized by a flat face and an extended nose, in addition to weak muscles, so that the joints are soft.
On the other hand, the infected people may suffer from a group of complications, including: “congenital” heart disorders, hearing and vision impairments, weak immune systems, a knot in the spine, and mental illnesses, and the person may stop breathing during sleep.
Fallacies
According to the international organization, this defect affects one in every thousand to 1,100 newborns worldwide, noting that it expects to improve the quality of life of those who suffer from this condition by meeting their needs by providing the necessary health care that includes regular medical examinations to monitor mental and physical development, And provide timely intervention, whether in terms of physiotherapy, counseling or special education. She added, they can have parental care, medical guidance, and existing guidelines in societies. These things help to introduce people with Down syndrome into society to empower them.”
In parallel, society builds misconceptions about people with Down syndrome, and considers them unable to learn or practice their daily activities and carry out life’s activities in a normal way, but this prevalent belief is far from right. In fact, it is more likely that they will be educated if there are motives and incentives.
Barbie “Dawn”
In a related context, Barbie launched the first doll with Down syndrome, and in this context, Mattel, the toy manufacturer, created the first Barbie doll with Down syndrome, as an initiative to allow children to see themselves in Barbie.
The new doll was designed in collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSSorg), to signify that it closely mirrors a person with DOWN’S SYNDROME.
For her part, Ellie Goldstein, a British model with Down syndrome, was the advertising face of the campaign and expressed her happiness with the new Barbie, saying: “Diversity is important to me because people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not hide away.”
Pointing out that the new appearance of Barbie was represented by a different face and body shape to be closer to reality and to resemble a person with Down syndrome, meaning that: “The face is round, the ears are smaller, the bridge of the nose is flat, and the eyes are slightly slanted in the shape of almonds, and the mother of the doll is shorter than the rest of the dolls in the group ».
The Mattel Barbie Fashionistas series includes a doll with a prosthetic leg, a doll that uses hearing aids, a doll that sits in a wheelchair, and another that has vitiligo, a skin condition that causes spots on the skin due to loss of pigment. Gives the skin its colour.
A step towards inclusivity
Psychologist Ghinwa Younis explained to Al-Diyar the importance of making a Barbie with Down syndrome, saying: “This step enhances belonging, communication, and interaction with others, and reduces differences, stigma, and discrimination between normal people and those with this disease in terms of different characteristics.”
And she added, “People are accustomed to Barbie with her beautiful shape and symmetrical body without any mistake, and making one infected with the disease is a natural step and an important gesture, as it makes us feel that this doll is more real in its shape and simulates our lived reality and dispels the oscillations and factors of separation. It also contributes to integrating these people into society and motivates them to play games that belong to them and have similar features with them.
She continued, “The child with Down syndrome, if she sees Barbie bearing her features, this will make her feel happy and will push her to feel her shape and accept her creation more, which may reflect positively on her heart and mental health.” She pointed out, “Contradiction exists and should not hinder communication, but rather improve fusion to become stronger and smoother, and this supports the child to overcome obstacles regardless of his features and shape.”
She added, “This work is positive and stems from introducing this group into the environment in which they live, and let us act with them as if they were normal, like other children. Their uniqueness with discordant or contradictory characteristics does not negate their existence and their right to play and live a normal life.
bullying
Ghinwa praised the manufacture of Barbie that is closer to the truth, saying, “This work is like a key for children to recognize their status, and it will also protect them from exposure to bullying or any discrepancy, especially since the child is at a stage that does not know what it means to be different or even have Down syndrome” and what are the differences What appears on him and what is the difference between him and another normal child, so the creation of this doll came as an introduction to seeing new ideas for the manufacturer of electronic games that children prefer.
