World Down Syndrome Day: I want people to know how amazing these kids are

Meet five special children from Cork who want us to know that the future is theirs for the taking

Harry and Sophia Brassel.

When Orla Brassel found out she was expecting a baby with Down syndrome, her world opened up. Thanks to a supportive medical team and a slew of journals and studies relating to children born with trisomy 21, the extra chromosome that Harry carries, the social media manager quickly became overwhelmed with the sheer volume of medical information. In the most unlikely of places, Orla found support and hope.

“Instagram turned out to be my saviour,” she laughs. “All the medical information was so clinical and everything was worst-case scenario, which was, I felt, really limiting. On Instagram, I was seeing real life and in real-time, these insights into people with Down syndrome’s lives. These families were so happy, the love was nearly pouring out of the phone. It was amazing. Their lives were so beautiful and focused on the kids and the joy they brought.”