Community Currents

Learn More about Down Syndrome in March for National Trisomy Awareness Month

By Damien Chacona, PWDF Program Director for Public Awareness and Education

Most people are born with 23 pairs (or 46 total) chromosomes, but some people have an extra chromosome in their cells, resulting in three, instead of the usual two (in one of their sets), for a total of 47 chromosomes in all. [¹] This is called a trisomy condition. This condition causes a variety of health problems that range from mild intellectual and developmental disability to severe physical problems.  Trisomy can cause physical abnormalities (e.g., extra fingers or toes), physiological issues (e.g., irregular heartbeat patterns), and problems related to intellectual and developmental functioning.

The most well-known trisomy condition is Down syndrome, in which the extra chromosome is a copy of chromosome 21 (Trisomy 21).  Down syndrome occurs in about one out of 700 U.S. births. [²] “People with Down syndrome usually have mild-to-moderate intellectual and developmental disability (IDD), heart abnormalities, and are at risk for hearing and vision loss and a number of other health conditions.” [³]

Other trisomy conditions include Edwards syndrome, or Trisomy 18, which occurs in about one of 5,000 live births each year in the United States. Trisomy 18 often causes severe IDD, serious heart issues, and other life-threatening problems that make infants less likely to live past their first birthday. Trisomy 13, or Patau syndrome, “occurs in about 1 in 10,000 to 16,000 live births each year worldwide [and] is associated with more severe IDD and multiple physical problems, including serious heart problems.” [⁴]

To learn more about trisomy conditions, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/resources/spotlight/031513-trisomy.

PWDF Profile

Who We Are

People With Disabilities Foundation is an operating 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, which focuses on the rights of the mentally and developmentally disabled.

Services

Advocacy: PWDF advocates for Social Security claimant’s disability benefits in eight Bay Area counties. We also provide services in disability rights, on issues regarding returning to work, and in ADA consultations, including areas of employment, health care, and education, among others. There is representation before all levels of federal court and Administrative Law Judges. No one is declined due to their inability to pay, and we offer a sliding scale for attorney’s fees.

Education/Public Awareness: To help eliminate the stigma against people with mental disabilities in society, PWDF’s educational program organizes workshops and public seminars, provides guest speakers with backgrounds in mental health, and produces educational materials such as videos.

Continuing Education Provider: State Bar of California MCLE and Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.