Rocked odd socks at Riverdale

Riverdale special needs children and staff commemorating World Down Sydrome Day include (from left) Kōkā Evangeline, Apirana, Zaid, Dane (standing), Matua Carlos, Uenuku, Koka Shirley, Syd and Jordyn. Picture by Paul Rickard

Pāoa Syndicate students and staff at Riverdale School have rocked their brightest, craziest and oddest socks to celebrate their unique friend Zaid and raise awareness of Down Syndrome in the Tairāwhiti community.

World Down Syndrome Day was also marked by displays of #lotsofsocks in classes and around Riverdale school.

Teachers and students —  including Zaid, a child with Down Syndrome —  were hugely grateful to Columbine Hosiery for its donation of socks.

World Down Syndrome Day, marked on March 21, signifies the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. People with Down Syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21.

Around one in every 800 babies will be born with Down Syndrome, which occurs naturally. There is no known cause.

It causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.