Did you came across the Down Syndrome Centre through the ‘window to the world’ we created with www. downsyndromecentre.ie?

If so, then you have been helping us to achieve our main objective in creating the site  – getting your attention. But in addition, I hope we have also managed to pass on information, to bring positive stories, and to relay news and support.

Some of the developments that have occured around our site have amazed even me (!) and our expectations for what it might  achieve have been surpassed. As the Down Syndrome Centre, our identity is not linked to any one country and as we appear high-up on Google, many people presume we are a centre local to their geographical position. So, no we do not have information leaflets in Bangledeshi and can not recommend a local service centre in Atlanta but what we can and are providing (I hope you agree with this statement) is quality information on aspects of caring for children with Down syndrome that transcend language  and country borders.

You might be surprised to learn that, on a monthly basis, the site generates traffic figures of over 6,000 hits from countries worldwide with the top ten in the last month breaking down as follows:

Ireland (2005), USA (1,400), UK (1354), Canada (277), Australia (121) and  after that double figures for India, Slovakia, Malaysia, Spain and the Philippines!  71% of these are first time visitors. 

But what does surpise me is that of the 2005 Irish visitors in the last month, 1,500 of these are Dublin based. It obviously signals that we have work to do is awakening the rest of the country to the value of our services.

Got a question for Sheila Campbell? If so, drop her an email here.