Wouldn’t Change A Thing
Community Action
It all started with a little video, created for World Down syndrome Day 2018, that took social media by storm. The video was called 50 Mums | 50 Kids | 1 Extra Chromosome. It became one of the most popular not-for-profit viral videos of all time, racking up in excess of 500 million views to date and popularised the hashtag: #wouldntchangeathing.
It made such a positive impact on modernising mainstream perceptions of the condition that a bunch of people involved in that initial project decided to set up this organisation, Wouldn’t Change A Thing, to continue the mission. It has now grown to include a multi-skilled, passionate group of people from all over the world. We are trying to achieve a world where negative, outdated perceptions of Down syndrome are a thing of the past. We do this by creating and promoting projects designed to directly challenge outdated perceptions.
Our projects are designed to be uplifting, emotive and positive; offering insights into how enjoyable life for all those associated with the condition can be. Our intent is to leave those who view our work feeling challenged and changed making them more willing to accept those with Down syndrome and to consider them as valid members of society, as schoolmates, as work colleagues or as employees.
Being involved in Wouldn’t Change A Thing has been an honour and privilege. Seeing the positive impact we had right from the very beginning with 50 mums has shown how much education and lived experience is not only needed but key to breaking down misconceptions around Down syndrome.
As parents to incredible children with Down syndrome we are proud to show the whole picture of life with someone with Down syndrome, the good, the bad, the incredible and the challenges, but most importantly that we ‘Wouldn’t Change a Thing’ about having our children and feel honoured to be their parents. An ever increasing Wouldn’t Change A Thing awareness army of hundreds of families from all over the world shows that we are not the only ones. It’s been an incredible journey so far but the impact on the mainstream audience is most definitely the thing I feel most proud of.
To have messages from parents saying our work helped them in their early days, to others saying because they had seen our work they felt less scared when their child was born with Down syndrome. We always said if we make a difference to one person our work is done, but it seems our work has made a difference to thousands. This makes the whole Wouldn’t Change A Thing family immensely proud.”
