21 Faces

About
Media Coverage

21 Faces is the Down Syndrome Centres annual campaign to celebrate the uniqueness and diversity of children with Down syndrome while also aiming to challenge some of the misconceptions about Down syndrome along the way.

21 Faces which is now in its third year, is about inviting the viewer to look past Down syndrome and to see the child, to see the individual and their potential – to take a second look!

It is often easy to recognise that a person has Down syndrome, but people with Down syndrome are not a homogenous group – they have the same extra chromosome but it does not define them – they are as unique and diverse as the rest of us!

We are following through on our commitment and plan to follow, celebrate and record the development and progress of the children featured over a number of years under the 21 Faces banner. 21 Faces also includes testimonials from the “champions” that support the children – be it a parent, sibling, grandparent, friend, practitioner or Special Needs Assistant.

As well as celebrating the children’s development, 21 Faces also aims to personalise the discussion about Down syndrome and make a connection with people. By reading the children’s stories, viewing their family photos and getting a glimpse of their personalities and an insight into their daily lives, we hope to challenge some pre-conceived ideas about Down syndrome and to encourage the viewer to see the children for themselves and as children first and foremost.

Viewed in isolation we believe these images have the power to challenge some of the misconceptions surrounding Down syndrome. When viewed as a collection, we believe they have the power to transcend them!

Thank You

We would like to say a huge thank you to Dunnes Stores for supporting the campaign in such a big way and to Dublin Bus and Irish Poster Advertising for featuring our 21 Faces posters again this year. We would also like to thank RR Donnelley for designing the posters and creating a new look for the campaign and to photographer Conor Healy for the beautiful portrait photos he has taken again this year.