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Special needs

Sorry, not sorry—this Down syndrome campaign is the sh*t

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society is taking sorry out of your vocabulary with a follow-up message from last year's #AnythingButSorry campaign.

Sorry, not sorry—this Down syndrome campaign is the sh*t

Photo: The Canada Down Syndrome Society

Warning: the following article contains bad language, including the S-word.

Most parents want to teach their children manners to set them up for success. Children are taught to use words such as sorry, to be polite when they make a mistake or when something bad has happened to someone. Usually "sorry" is a good word, but it can also be offensive.

It is sometimes difficult to know what to say to someone who has a baby with Down syndrome, but why apologize to them? According to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society, what to say to parents who have a baby with Down syndrome, is one of the most Googled questions around trisomy 21—and with 9,363 babies in North America born with Down syndrome last year, that's a lot of sorries being said.

Instead of using the word "sorry," the young adults in this video have a better idea—just say, "Congratulations!"

As a follow-up to last year's viral (and chock-full of swears) campaign, The Canadian Down Syndrome Society produced this new video warning you to stay away from the S-word. And what better way to raise awareness than by hiring people who have Down syndrome as actors? In the video, these young adults share everyday examples and some humorous remarks for when it is right to use the word "sorry," such as: "Sorry I forgot your birthday...again," and " Sorry I stole your girlfriend." But, they warn to never say sorry because someone's baby has Down syndrome. "It's bad!"

So set aside your sorries when it comes to addressing new parents—you might need them for the next time you really do mess up.

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