Forty-seven looks like a neutral figure. Forty-seven chromosomes - only one word is added and things look differently, frighteningly: it's all about Down's syndrome. Forty-seven Smiles of kids with Down's syndrome will welcome visitors of the Seaside Park in Varna from today till 17 September. The photo exhibition has been organized by the association of their parents and the message is that life is better when there are more smiles around.

Tony Marinova is one of the mothers who was faced with the problem of an extra chromosome and like any other parent suffered a shock. In 2009 she gave birth to her baby girl Yanitsa and today is grateful to the Association of Parents with Children with Down's Syndrome who helped her to stand back on her feet again.

“For me the diagnosis Down's syndrome was very frightening. I thought of it as something like a cruel verdict. But I was wrong - after the birth my life continued with a new rhythm and new things. For sure such a child is in need of greater care and dedication from parents but this does not necessarily mean suffering in the family. On the contrary, it depends on the point of view and on the regulations in a country.”

After the birth of Yanitsa her mom found out that doctors tried to intervene in the personal choice of the horrified parents:

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Unfortunately, more often than not teachers are not trained how to assist adequately children with special needs.

It is a matter of luck to come across someone who would trust in the child's potential and risk. Yanitsa was lucky - she goes to a common nursery school and is the special friend of all kids in her group. One day when her friends grow up they will kiss goodbye to still existing taboos about people with special needs. In the meantime, we could stop for a while in front of photographs of the smiling children - it is said that they also carry the syndrome of love.

English Daniela Konstantinova