The Down Syndrome Family Network of T&T (DSFN) hosted a panyard lime at the CAL Invaders Panyard, 147 Tragarete Road, Woodbrook on March 23.
This event, sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Development Company, hosted the cast of American cable channel A&E’s reality television series Born this Way—Megan, Rachel and Elena—who are in T&T as part of a week-long celebration of UN World Down Syndrome Day.
WDSD was celebrated annually on March 21 and it seeks to raise awareness of Down Syndrome and to advocate for inclusion in all areas of society.
The panyard event provided a cultural emersion for the visiting conference delegates along with sponsors, friends and family of the DSFN. Minister of Tourism Shamfa Cudjoe, who also attended the WDSD Conference at the Magdelena Grand in Tobago on March 22, delivered brief remarks and presented Megan Bomgaars with a gift.
The Invaders Youth Steel Orchestra performed brilliantly with Down Syndrome advocate, Kelly Simmons playing the tenor pan in the frontline, along with a guest performance by the family trio of Dane Gulston with his sons Daniel and Deneilson.