Alexandra and her friend Becky Donovan (25), who both have Down Syndrome, have hopes and dreams like other young people, but face barriers to achieving them in our society, advocates say.
An independent young woman, Alexandra lives with her mother Fiona Walker in Long Beach, and is often out biking around the township or walking her beloved dog, Taffy.
Alexandra was given up at birth and was adopted as a baby by Ms Walker, then involved in foster parenting in Christchurch.
''I knew straight away that I was her mother. There was never any doubt about it,'' Ms Walker said.
Alexandra was a ''treasure'' to Ms Walker and her older son Peter, both of whom ''love her to bits''.
''There has never been a moment when I have regretted it. We have such a lot of fun, and we have met so many wonderful people,'' she said.
''Living with her, I get a left-field view of life - and we can still jump in puddles and roll in leaves if we want to.''
Fiona and Alexandra Walker moved to Dunedin about a year ago, and are loving living in the city.
Alexandra attends the Switch day programme for people under 25, and also goes to art, dancing, cooking and drama classes. Becky also attends the Switch programme and does computing and other classes.
Alexandra would also like the opportunity to try her hand at part-time work - possibly in a cafe or working with children.
''I enjoy the classes, but I would like to get a job, too,'' Alexandra said.
''This is where things can get hard, because there just aren't the opportunities out there,'' Ms Walker said.
''And that is a pity, because a person with Down Syndrome can bring so much to the workplace - personality, loyalty, and creativity.''
And like other young people, Alexandra dreams of doing a ''Big OE'' and would love to go to Disneyland or the West End in London.
''She has hopes and dreams, and it would be just wonderful for her to achieve them.''
With World Down Syndrome Day coming up on March 21, the Otago Down Syndrome Association is urging the community and business owners to show their support and offer more inclusion to people with Down Syndrome.
Association president Karola Franklyn said the phrase ''it takes a village to raise a child'' came to mind, because for families of children with Down Syndrome that village was a small one.
''A lot of doors are shut in this village for our children, young adults and our older adults, [who] often live in isolation,'' Mrs Franklyn said.
Mrs Franklyn and her husband have three daughters, and their middle child Emily (8) has Down Syndrome.
There were few play dates for children, problems with schooling, and very few employment opportunities for adults with Down Syndrome.
''We are asking the community for more inclusion for our children and young adults, whether that be inviting children to birthday parties or providing work for a young person,'' she said.
On March 21, the Otago Down Syndrome Association will hold a fun family tea party at Memorial Park in Mosgiel (near the library), from 12 noon onwards. The event, open to all families, will include entertainment, music and dancing. To show support, people are invited to wear odd socks as they go about their day.
For information, email otagodsa@gmail.com, or phone Karola on 456-2556.
