Gifts from the Downs Syndrome Association

The AGM of the Friends Of Bushy and  Home Park was held this week in the Normansfield Theatre at the Langdon Down Centre which also house the headquarters of The Downs Syndrome Association. Langdon Down was a doctor who recognised and named the genetic conditionDown syndrome. In 1868 he set up a home at his large house, Normansfield, for those with mentally disabled children of upper class members of society. With his wife they did their best to educate  and stimulate them unlike in other institutions of the time . 
The home was eventually incorporated into the NHS.

There  is currently a Memories and Stories Exhibition with many many photographs and stories about people with Downs Syndrome which in many cases are leading very fulfilled lives.
The 50th Anniversary of the charity being formed was actually in 2020 and I can only assume that the exhibition was planned for then until COVID arrived. 

When we were leaving the AGM a lady was giving out these bags to everyone! We were rather surprised but took one as she seemed to want to get rid of a large box! When we got home we found it contained a small book about Langdon Down and his work,  a very large ‘ coffee table’ book with very glossy pages of photographs taken between 2005&2012 together with 3 pairs of  socks. I can only assume that because the 50 years was in 2020 they just wanted to get shot of the bags and contents?!