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'Don't be afraid': Viral video inspires mothers expecting babies with Down syndrome

Friday marks World Down Syndrome Day, and for any mother preparing to have a child with the genetic condition, a new video may bring some peace of mind.In the video by CoorDown, Italy’s national organization for people with Down syndrome, a group of Europeans banded together to explain what life can be like for someone with an extra copy of chromosome 21.The video was inspired by an email sent t
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Friday marks World Down Syndrome Day, and for any mother preparing to have a child with the genetic condition, a new video may bring some peace of mind.

In the video by CoorDown, Italy’s national organization for people with Down syndrome, a group of Europeans banded together to explain what life can be like for someone with an extra copy of chromosome 21.

The video was inspired by an email sent to CoorDown by a pregnant mother who learned her baby boy would have Down syndrome. "I'm scared," the mother wrote. "What kind of life will my child have?" 

The film features 15 individuals with Down syndrome, each responding to the mother about what she can expect. “Don’t be afraid,” one of them says. 

They reassure the mother that her child will have a life filled with hugs, learning, work and self-reliance.

“Sometimes it will be difficult,” says one child. “But isn’t it like that for all mothers?" asks another.

In a touching sequence of scenes at the end of the video, each individual is joined by his or her mother for validation. 

"Right, mom?" they ask.

The video has been generating heartfelt responses around the world, with many taking to social media to share their reactions. 

World+#DownSyndrome+Day+is+tomorrow—here's+why+it+should+matter+to+all+of+us:+http://t.co/tj92mwD1JY+@DSiupdate+@IDSCTweets+@TheArcUS+@NDSC

—+SippingLemonadeBlog+(@SippingLemonade)+March+20,+2014+

one+of+the+most+beautiful+videos+i've+ever+seen.+please+share!+https://t.co/C0IhYH8rGc+#DearFutureMom+#DownSyndrome

—+Thomas+Peters+(@AmericanPapist)+March+20,+2014+

The United Nations officially began observing World Down Syndrome Day in 2012. The date chosen for the annual observance — March 21, or 3/21 — stands for trisomy 21, another name for Down syndrome. People with trisomy 21 have three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two copies.