For Parents Of Down Syndrome Babies, Sorry' Is A Dirty Word
14/11/2017
FCB Canada has launched a follow-up to its award-winning Down Syndrome Answers campaign for the Canadian Down Syndrome Society to coincide with Canadian Down Syndrome Week.
The new work, called Anything But Sorry, explains how you can say almost anything to parents who just had a child with Down Syndrome, except for the one truly bad word that you should never say, which is Sorry.
When a baby is born parents are usually showered with oohs, aahs and congratulations. The last thing most people would say to a new parent is sorry. Yet this is exactly what many parents with a newborn with Down syndrome hear from friends, family and even their doctors. Already heartbroken, sorry' offers more heartbreak.
So, what should well-wishers say? Literally, the only bad word is the S' word. This is the point the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) is making in its new campaign, Anything But Sorry.
Important campaign links are:
The S' Word: https://youtu.be/AfLfqC2sXOE
The S' Word Censored: https://youtu.be/UrlYfkztOLE
Why Sorry Is a Bad Word (behind-the-scenes): https://youtu.be/OHhMXjcSHxI
The campaign website: https://anythingbutsorry.com/
The key aim of the campaign is to educate and inform people on how to react appropriately when a child is born with Down syndrome.
Last year, with Down Syndrome Answers,' we focused on what happens when parents find out that their unborn child has Down syndrome, said Nancy Crimi-Lamanna, Chief Creative Officer, FCB Canada.
This year, with Anything But Sorry,' we're building on that and focusing on what happens when those babies are born and what happens next.
Last year in North America 9 363 babies were born with Down syndrome, and as Kirk Crowther, National Executive Director of CDSS said, many of those births weren't celebrated as joyously as they should have been.
We want to help change the dialogue around those mixed feelings and encourage people to treat the birth of a baby with Down syndrome just as they would any other baby, said Crowther.
To do that, the CDSS has released a humorous yet thought-provoking video called The S' Word. The video begins with a question: What do you say to parents who just had a child with Down syndrome?
The answers are provided by people with Down syndrome, who offer suggestions of what you can say to new parents using every inappropriate phrase they know except sorry. The point is, the most inappropriate thing to say to parents of a child born with Down syndrome is sorry and that the birth of every child should be celebrated.
Our film season is here. Are you ready?
Select your Membership
Not only does the video educate about welcoming a baby with Down syndrome, it also gives the cast (many of whom were featured in last year's Down Syndrome Answers ) a platform to express their sense of humour and personality, shedding a more human light on the community and combatting stereotypes.
Viewers of the video will be directed to AnythingButSorry.com, where they can help make sure that every baby born with Down syndrome this year gets a warm welcome.
The website features a series of shareable e-cards with the same cheeky messages as The S' Word video. People are encouraged to visit and share a card to help reach the goal of welcoming all 9,363 babies born with Down syndrome in North America this year. When the goal is reached, a thank you video from the same cast will be released. The site also gives people the opportunity to purchase a set of printed Anything but Sorry congratulations cards, with proceeds benefiting the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.
Ed Casagrande, Vice-Chair, CDSS Board of Directors, and father of four-year-old Emma, who was born with Down Syndrome, hopes the campaign helps people to see that having Down syndrome is nothing to apologize for.
The word sorry' has a negative impact and people should be aware of this when speaking to new parents, he said. We need to change the thinking from a feeling of sorrow to a feeling of celebration. People with Down syndrome live meaningful and fulfilling lives full of great accomplishments. That's nothing to feel sorry for.
That moment of awkwardly reaching for the right words is what the campaign is aiming to intercept, said Jeff Hilts, Chief Creative Officer at FCB Canada. It's about education. Many friends in that situation would not know how to respond, so by showing people you can say anything but sorry, we're arming them with the ability to react and celebrate the moment in the right way.
While the campaign targets those who might struggle with what to say to new parents of a baby born with Down syndrome, it also addresses the mixed feelings that parents might have about their own reactions to their baby's birth. Since they are less likely to post a baby announcement on social media if their child is born with Down syndrome, Anything But Sorry uses the Facebook's Life Events feature to offer them a second chance to add that missing post and celebrate the birth of their child with friends and family.
Another component of the campaign is directed at doctors, who will be sent information by direct mail encouraging them to change how they speak to parents who have a baby born with Down syndrome.
Often, for parents, the most jarring reaction is that from their doctor, said Ben Tarr, member of the CDSS Board of Directors, and father of six-year-old Leo, who was born with Down syndrome. I wish those who first told us that Leo had Down syndrome had been trained in what a negative sentiment like sorry' does to a person. I hope targeting doctors helps those in the medical community understand the power of their words. It's not going to be easy, sure, but don't be sorry.
Like Down Syndrome Ans
LINK: | http://www.filmcontact.com/news/canada/parents-down-syndrome-babies-%E... |
See more stories from filmcontact |
Africa Stories
26/04/2024
Skeem Saam' May Spoiler: Has Lehasa killed Khwezi?
Skeem Saam' May Spoiler: Has Lehasa killed Khwezi?The Skeem Saam' May teasers mention Lehasa being apologetic about killing someone. Is it his baby mam...
26/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 25 April 2024 [video]
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 25 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...
26/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Some issues to consider
Prison Journalism: Some issues to considerWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's rese...
26/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: A line is crossed and a mother starts to lose focus
Tonight on Scandal: A line is crossed and a mother starts to lose focusDon't miss Friday, 26 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! o...
25/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle makes a hair-raising decision
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle makes a hair-raising decisionDon't miss Thursday, 25 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv on DSt...
25/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar comes looking for Thandiswa at Nomeva's and promises to be there for Leroy
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar comes looking for Thandiswa at Nomeva's...
25/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: A furious Bra Zakes unleashes his anger on Sphamandla
Tonight on House of Zwide: A furious Bra Zakes unleashes his anger on SphamandlaDon't miss Thursday, 25 April's riveting episode of South African soapie...
25/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Understanding recidivism in South African prisons
Prison Journalism: Understanding recidivism in South African prisonsDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Co...
25/04/2024
Prison Journalism: A glimpse inside Barberton Prison
Prison Journalism: A glimpse inside Barberton PrisonJean-Pierre Le-Roux is a divorced father of two beautiful children. He was incarcerated for 20 months for po...
25/04/2024
Riverside Studios presents world premiere of MOFFIE' stage play
Riverside Studios presents world premiere of MOFFIE' stage play MOFFIE delves into toxic masculinity and trauma in post-apartheid South Africa, reflecting...
25/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Kobus assigns Pretty a big case
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Kobus assigns Pretty a big caseDon't miss Thuresday, 25 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam on SABC 1 on ...
24/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Someone makes the call to have Lehasa killed
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Someone makes the call to have Lehasa killedDon't miss Wednesday, 24 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam ...
24/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Sphamandla and his goons force Keletso into their car at gunpoint
Tonight on House of Zwide: Sphamandla and his goons force Keletso into their car...
24/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: A man smiles in the face of his friend while he deceives him
Tonight on Scandal: A man smiles in the face of his friend while he deceives himDon't miss Wednesday, 24 April's riveting episode of South African soapi...
24/04/2024
Endearing character from The Simpsons' is killed off' after 35 years, fans in shock
Endearing character from The Simpsons' is killed off' after 35 years, ...
24/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar continues to ask questions about Thandiswa
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar continues to ask questions about ThandiswaDon't miss Wednesday, 24 April's riveting episode of South African soapie...
24/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 23 April 2024 [video]
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 23 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
24/04/2024
Endearing Simpsons character killed off' after 35 years, fans in shock
Endearing Simpsons character killed off' after 35 years, fans in shockAn often-seen yet seldom-discussed character from the popular show The Simpsons drops...
23/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Pretty is shocked by what she finds out about Lehasa
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Pretty is shocked by what she finds out about LehasaDon't miss Tuesday, 23 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem...
23/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Bra Zakes asks Isaac to hold off going to the cops until he's spoken to Sphamandla
Tonight on House of Zwide: Bra Zakes asks Isaac to hold off going to the cops un...
23/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 22 April 2024 [video]
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 22 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
23/04/2024
Skeem Saam' May Spoiler: Inside Mr Kgomo, Eunice's romance?
Skeem Saam' May Spoiler: Inside Mr Kgomo, Eunice's romance? Skeem Saam' May teasers reveal that Melita will be jealous of Mr Kgomo and Eunice's ...
23/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle takes a huge risk on her quest to save her daughter
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle takes a huge risk on her quest to save her daughterDon't miss Tuesday, 23 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Sc...
22/04/2024
WATCH: Artists covering their favourite classics
WATCH: Artists covering their favourite classicsArtists often watch other performers to get some of their inspiration. Check out some of these classic famous so...
22/04/2024
WATCH: Queen of hip-hop Lil2Hood thanks Paris
WATCH: Queen of hip-hop Lil2Hood thanks ParisProducer and DJ Lil2Hood (Flash.Wrldwide) has proved that she's a queen of modern hip-hop. Lil2Hood thanked Par...
22/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Funani informs Isaac about Nkosi seeing his hijacker in Tembisa
Tonight on House of Zwide: Funani informs Isaac about Nkosi seeing his hijacker ...
22/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: The carpet is pulled out from under Nhlamulo
Tonight on Scandal: The carpet is pulled out from under NhlamuloDon't miss Monday, 22 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv ...
22/04/2024
LGBTQ+ writers asked to submit their stories
LGBTQ writers asked to submit their storiesWriters have been asked to submit their short stories (up to 20, 000 words) for an upcoming anthology called Just LG...
22/04/2024
[Watch] Queen of hip-hop Lil2Hood thanks Paris
[Watch] Queen of hip-hop Lil2Hood thanks ParisProducer and DJ Lil2Hood (Flash.Wrldwide) has proved that she's a queen of modern hip-hop. Lil2Hood thanked Pa...
22/04/2024
Isaac Mutant: HemelBesem gave me R2, 500'
Isaac Mutant: HemelBesem gave me R2, 500'Cape town rapper Isaac Mutant claims he was paid less than everyone else's fee for the use of his music in Sho...
22/04/2024
Afrikaans (free) television shows you can STILL watch
Afrikaans (free) television shows you can STILL watchAfrikaans television shows are making a comeback through AfriForumTV. However, not everyone wants to see sh...
22/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Virginia learns Sonto and Sakhile slept together
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Virginia learns Sonto and Sakhile slept togetherDon't miss Monday, 22 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Smo...
22/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Kgosi reveals the details of what he witnessed Lehasa doing
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Kgosi reveals the details of what he witnessed Lehasa doi...
21/04/2024
Gqeberha: The Empire' loses more viewers on DStv
Gqeberha: The Empire' loses more viewers on DStvTshedza Pictures' isiXhosa telenovela Gqeberha: The Empire' lost more viewers in March and was plac...
21/04/2024
Youngins' fans praise actor Thabiso Ramotshela as Mahlatse
Youngins' fans praise actor Thabiso Ramotshela as MahlatseSouth Africans praise former The River' actor Thabiso Ramotshela, who plays Mahlatse in Showm...
20/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 19 April 2024 [video]
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 19 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa panics when she learns of possible evidence in Mthetho's office
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa panics when she learns of possible evide...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Khwezi stares death in the face
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Khwezi stares death in the faceDon't miss Friday, 19 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam on SABC 1 on DSt...
19/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith refuses to talk to Zola and to discuss the matter with Zanele further
Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith refuses to talk to Zola and to discuss the matt...
19/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 18 April 2024 [video]
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 18 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...
19/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Tragic story of Jerry's life and crimes
Prison Journalism: Tragic story of Jerry's life and crimesDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the re...
19/04/2024
House of Zwide' Spoiler: Soka dates Mampho and Ona
House of Zwide' Spoiler: Soka dates Mampho and OnaThe House of Zwide' May teasers reveal that Soka will date both Ona and Mampho and get caught. Will h...
19/04/2024
Beer: Seven celebrities talk about their love
Beer: Seven celebrities talk about their loveBeer is one of the world's most popular beverages. We asked several celebrities about their favourite brews or ...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Tlhogi cannot believe what she hears from Taps
Tonight on Scandal: Tlhogi cannot believe what she hears from TapsDon't miss Friday, 19 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.t...
18/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar almost finds Thandiswa with the bloody wedding dress
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar almost finds Thandiswa with the bloody wedd...
18/04/2024
Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department' set to drop on FRIDAY
Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department' set to drop on FRIDAYTaylor Swift will release her highly anticipated record The Tortured Poets Departme...
18/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa puts his plan to eliminate Khwezi in motion
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa puts his plan to eliminate Khwezi in motionDon't miss Thursday, 18 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: April's experiences of black boudoir
Prison Journalism: April's experiences of black boudoirThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story by Tha...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?
Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor C...
18/04/2024
Software-making music: How DJs are doing it
Software-making music: How DJs are doing itSoftware plays a big part in music production, recording, and performances. Here's what DJs are using, and how yo...