DOC-DOWN aims to achieve a greater insertion into the labour with trisomy 21, in addition to improving your quality of life and the lives of others

Between 40% and 50% of the people with Down syndrome are born with a congenital heart disease

the heart is The central organ of the circulation of the blood, which is pumped into a rhythm and keeps alive the body, until it stops beating.

you may not pay due attention, however, cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death in Spain. So it picks up the last report by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) on deaths in the country. According to the study, the 29’66% of the deaths is related to heart disease, on top of the cancer, represented with a 27’86%, and diseases of the respiratory system (11’08%).

In this sense arises DOC-DOWN, an initiative driven by B+SAFE (a company specialising in the application of security technologies, in the field of health) and DOWN SPAIN (the Spanish Federation of associations of people with Down syndrome) with the aim of achieving a greater labour insertion of the collective with trisomy 21, in addition to improving your quality of life and the lives of others.

The programme is based on two basic ideas: inclusion and cardioprotection, as a result of educating people with Down’s syndrome who, in turn, train others, with or without disabilities, in the use of defibrillators DOC (Defibrillator Operational Connected) and in the application of techniques of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

One of the members of the project, Virginia Vera was born with Down syndrome and their 38-year-old has become an expert in first aid. It also claims to be “very happy” with the campaign, which is already an instructor. “I started in march,” has told you, Vera, to THE WORLD, “and in may, already took training classes to my colleagues”.

Training, is essential to the survival

In that experts insist in health, in good instruction in first aid to increase the chances of survival for someone who suffers a cardiac arrest outside of the health sector. As pointed out by the Spanish Federation of the Heart (FEC), “when a person suffers a cardiac arrest, your chances of survival diminish 10% every minute that passes, if no one starts cpr (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)”.

hence the importance of learning techniques of CPR. Therefore, although, currently, the percentage of people who survive a cardiac arrest is 5%, according to data provided by the FEC, could increase to 15 percent “if they practiced the maneuvers of resuscitation relevant” and even “reach the 30% if, in addition, there is a program of defibrillators in the area.” Which would be between 4,500 and 9,000 deaths per year only in Spain.

Perhaps, the idea of using a defibrillator can be a bit stressful because the citizens are not accustomed to the management of these artifacts. Is more, to day of today, there is no law requiring the provision of them in public places. However, there is a strong demand on the part of the public health for this type of equipment is extended. Therefore, several autonomous communities, like Madrid, are changing the rules so that you begin to have more defibrillators. The idea is to familiarize yourself with them and that is something as common as an encounter with a fire extinguisher.

a Few instructors that are very special

Around 30 people, with Down’s syndrome, are the pioneers in this adventure. Mostly young, between 18 and 40 years, with a desire to learn and continue to grow in the workplace.

this is demonstrated by several of the members of the project during a meeting, in the Official Credit Institute (ICO) in Madrid in mid-October. These, they taught, to the present, basic techniques of first aid and demonstrated that having a disability is no impediment to saving lives.

similarly, it highlights Agustín Matía, manager of DOWN SPAIN, in the place of the meeting and, later, to this medium: “people with Down syndrome are perfectly trained to perform practical manual of resuscitation,” he said, “as well as to use a defibrillator -if necessary – and to do so efficiently”.

Neither hid be satisfied with the initiative, which it considered “a good way of inclusion in the workplace”. Therefore, the members of the project work of salaried positions, as assistants to instructors of the devices, in those companies that have a defibrillator on their premises.

“The rules are changing,” noted the leader of the organization, “but far from ideal -apart from that the businesses appliances are installed – is that the team has a minimum knowledge of first aid and that is where you will raid these guys, teach them”.

Although the young participants begin to practice on a voluntary basis, perhaps, with time, will find this initiative a future profession. In fact, the Virginia Vera admits that they would continue as a trainer long-term. “At the moment what I’m doing,” she said “and, if I keep calling, I’ll keep going thrilled.”

so soon, Vera has already been released as a trainer, with people outside the project, on two occasions: the first, forming the employees of the Metro de Madrid and, second, in the presentation of the ICO.

he has acknowledged feeling “very good” to know that you can “save lives” and encourages people to learn techniques of CPR and operate the defibrillator, which, as he states, “it is very easy to use because you will indicating the steps to follow.”

the Collective vulnerable to heart disease

people with trisomy 21 have a high probability of heart disease. In fact, according to the FEC, and between 40% and 50% of this group is born with a congenital heart disease. Hence the importance of this initiative, so that they can help others in addition to themselves.

Agustín Matía describes it as a “symbolism” nice. Therefore, they are the people that affect them, “very full”, cardiovascular problems, and to get involved in a cause to save lives, beyond your own group, that is, to say the least, rewarding.

By all this, insists that, apart from health benefits, it is a social responsibility campaign. “They want to contribute and for that they need jobs that are commensurate to their capabilities,” says Matía. “We do not ask them sobreproteja, but that they have an active role in the society, are some citizens more.”