Albury Wodonga picnic parade will mark World Down Syndrome Day

The Albury Wodonga Down Syndrome Family Network Group and Aspire Support Services are hosting a picnic parade to mark World Down Syndrome Day this weekend.

It's one of many events across Australia under the banner of Celebrate T21, a national organisation that helps families receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome or Trisomy 21.

Beechworth's Ellen Huggins, an ambassador co-ordinator for Celebrate T21, is working with Aspire volunteer facilitator for the network group Vanessa Richards and Aspire family support co-ordinator Sue Pringle.

"I'm hoping that we can meet a few new families that we might not have met before and add them to our community and say hi and welcome and spread the word a little," Mrs Huggins said.

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"Having a bring your own picnic, enjoying time together, wearing our funky socks and having a sock parade."

Her daughter Cassie, 5, was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth and immediately "it was how are we going to change and what are we going to do to make it good for Cass?".

The family, which also includes husband Lindsay and sons Vincent, 3, and Lachlan, 1, often finds paperwork more of a challenge than Down syndrome itself.

"I don't think everyone realises that there are forms for this, there are forms for that," Mrs Huggins said.

"Getting Cassie into school and having an aide I think was like 29 forms."

Cassie, a "loud, independent, vibrant, music, bears and Bluey-loving little girl with a big heart and an obsession with books", has found a welcoming environment at Wooragee Primary School this year.

"We didn't have to go in there and teach them, they were already aware of the things that might be needed for Cass," her mother said.

Celebrate T21 said many families given a diagnosis of Down syndrome gained little or no support.

"We work closely with families to educate, empower and advocate for their choices, by supporting and celebrating their child with Down syndrome and extending a hand of comfort and compassion when a diagnosis is received," the organisation said.

The Huggins' daily life would feel familiar to many families, with the young siblings arguing and playing together.

"We have fun, we go to parks, we play together, we enjoy each other's company and everything else kind of just flows beside it, it's part of who we are," Mrs Huggins said.

The Albury-Wodonga picnic parade will be held on Saturday, March 20, between 2pm and 4pm at the Albury Botanic Gardens children's garden.

There is an open invitation to the free event for Border families with members who have Down syndrome.

The Albury Wodonga Down Syndrome Family Network Group has a private Facebook group.

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