World Down’s Syndrome Day 2018: Why people are wearing odd socks to celebrate

Today marks World Down Syndrome Day, an occasion where people come together to raise public awareness and advocate for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down's syndrome.

This year’s theme is What I Bring To My Community, to demonstrate that “all people with Down’s syndrome must have opportunities to contribute to the community and live valued lives, included on a full and equal basis with others, in all aspects of society” and people around the world are wearing odd socks and using the hashtag #LotsOfSocks on social media to raise awareness of the cause.

Socks have been used as the symbol because chromosomes are shaped "like socks" and people with Down's syndrome are born with an extra one.

Down's syndrome, also known as Down syndrome or trisomy 21, is a genetic condition that typically causes some level of learning disability to varying degrees and certain physical characteristics.

According to Down’s syndrome Association, around one in every 1000 babies born in the UK will have Down’s syndrome and there are approximately 40,000 people in the UK with the condition at present

Have you snapped your odd socks yet and posted them on Instagram? If not, do it today.