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FARMINGTON — March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, and students in Davis School District are celebrating by wearing mismatched socks in response to a request by a fifth grade student named Colton Droubay.
Colton has a 2-year-old brother named Hudson Droubay with Down syndrome. In an effort to celebrate his brother and those like him, he wrote a letter to Davis County Superintendent Dan Linford asking for students and faculty to wear mismatched socks for "Rock Your Socks Day."
"Hudson is special because he has Down syndrome," Colton said in a YouTube video put out by the school district.
It is this uniqueness that has sparked not just a district-wide wearing of mismatched socks, but really a worldwide movement. According to sockchallenge.com, wearing two different socks is a way of celebrating each person's uniqueness. But it isn't just about being different that Colton wants people to think about when wearing mismatched socks; he also wants to educate people about Down syndrome.
"I've learned that people with Down syndrome are not that different from you and me," Colton wrote in his letter to Linford. "They have the same feelings, they want to be included and they want to feel accepted. I am also learning that people with Down syndrome can do amazing things. … The reason we celebrate with mismatched socks is because chromosomes look like pairs of mismatched socks, and Down syndrome is caused by having an extra chromosome."
When Colton realized that World Down Syndrome Day was coming up, he wanted to celebrate in a big way.
–Melanie Droubay
According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, an average of 77 pregnancies are affected by Down syndrome each year in Utah, equating to approximately 1 out of every 704 babies in the state born with the condition. Down syndrome causes a wide range of developmental and cognitive delays.
Colton's mom Melanie Droubay, who does a lot of advocating for Down syndrome on Instagram under the handle @ourhuddybuddy, told KSL.com that she couldn't be more proud of Colton for what he is doing to spread awareness of Down syndrome.
"Colton and his younger brother, Hudson, have an amazing relationship," she said. "When Colton realized that World Down Syndrome Day was coming up, he wanted to celebrate in a big way. ... Colton really wanted more people to learn that individuals with Down syndrome like his little brother are amazing. As a mom, I couldn't be more proud of Colton and the way that he has advocated for not only Hudson, but for all individuals with Down syndrome."
Linford said that he was delighted when he received the email, and encouraged all to join Colton in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day.
"We hope you'll join us and celebrate with Colton and Hudson and all of our other wonderful students on World Down Syndrome day on March 21 and rock your mismatched socks!" he said.
