This past week the Special Olympics community celebrated several awareness days, such as National Down Syndrome Day and National Cat Eye Syndrome Day. Let’s see what one Youth Leader, Sydney Meininger, has to say about it:

How would you describe Cat Eye Syndrome to someone who has never heard of it before?

You know the coloboma in your eye? For me, instead of the pupil being a circle it goes downwards more like an oval. So, my eyes are different than most peoples! I feel that I am totally fine having it. Actually, I connected and made a friend from the Netherlands who has it. It’s pretty cool because we met on a Facebook group that is for people with Cat Eye Syndrome. I think it is nice to recognize differences, like when my school wears blue for National Autism Awareness Day!

Why do you think awareness days, like Cat Eye Syndrome Day, are important?

I believe these days are important because people want to spread awareness. Without having things like Autism Awareness Month, it would be harder for people to understand the differences in others. It is a way to share information and it makes me feel like people understand more of who I am which I believe is a positive thing!