The John Langdon Down Foundation was created on April 3rd, 1972, being the first organization of its kind in the world providing general support as well as education and healthcare for people with Down Syndrome and their families.

The John Langdon Down Foundation was founded thirty five years ago by Sylvia García-Escamilla with the aim of meeting the need to care for and educate children, youths and adults with Down Syndrome—a chromosomal abnormality with which her firstborn son Eduardo was diagnosed at his birth in 1967, when there were no government or private institutions in Mexico or Latin America providing service to special-needs children.

The Foundation originally opened its doors in a rented house that had been remodeled on Boulevard de la Luz 232, in the Jardines del Pedregal neighborhood of Mexico City; as this time, it was called the “John Langdon Down Institute, A.C.”

On December 31 1972, Eduardo died in a tragic accident. At that time, there were only ten students at the Institute; nevertheless, it stayed true to its mission: providing care and quality education to children with Down Syndrome and their families.

In 1993, the Foundation moved to its own premises, built on land donated by the Mexico City Government. It adopted its current name, and its new facilities opened on July 6 of that same year.

Over the years, the Foundation has offered its services to a growing number of students and families, implementing new programs fostering children’s overall development and their broader inclusion in social life and work environments.

In 1973, it organized the First National Series of Conferences about Down Syndrome.

It also created the School for Parents in order to provide information and counseling for parents and relatives of people with Down Syndrome.

Furthermore, it launched a Continuing Education Program, advising and training parents and professionals who have since initiated similar programs throughout Mexico as well as abroad. It is indeed thanks to the Foundation’s help and support that various associations specializing in Down Syndrome have opened their doors; there are now

• 5 associations in Mexico City

• 55 associations in various Mexican states

• 30 associations in the following Latin-American countries: Argentina, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Panama, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Peru.

In 1981 and again in 1983, the Foundation organized the first two International Congresses on Down Syndrome, featuring the participation of outstanding researchers in the field—in particular Professor Jérome Lejeune, the discoverer of chromosome 21. Over twenty-eight countries were represented in both Congresses.

The International Congresses first organized by the Foundation continued to take place in other countries. These actions led to the creation of Down Syndrome International (DSI).

Subsequently, the Foundation organized the First, Second and Third International Symposium on Down Syndrome in 1987, 1997 and 2004 respectively.

Over the years, the John Langdon Down Foundation has received numerous national and international awards for its work with and dedication to people with Down Syndrome. It has also taken part in several events abroad in the United States, Canada, Egypt, China, Israel, Australia, etc., where its efforts have been broadly acknowledged.

Since its creation to the present day, the Foundation has provided support for thousands of people, most of them impoverished. It currently provides direct care to 500 individuals and indirect care to another 2000 every year, in the Mexico City metropolitan area as well as in other areas nationwide.