In Sylvia´s gaze still persists the image of her son Eduardo, long a major part of her life and endeavours since his departure. Her pain has evolved into her mission: to promote better quality of life for people with Down syndrome and their families in Mexico and Latin America.
Noticing that no adequate Mexican setting to attend to the needs of people with Down syndrome was in place, Sylvia put all of her efforts towards the creation, in 1972, of the John Langdon Down Foundation, the World´s first Centre devoted exclusively to the educational, medical, and psychological care of people with Down syndrome and their families.
Sylvia’s spirit has directed the Foundation’s vision into all aspects concerning lives of those with Down syndrome through diverse educational undertakings for more than 500 students with Down syndrome and their families. These include support and assistance to their relatives (particularly through the School for Parents), the creation of research programmes and publications promoting a positive approach to Down syndrome, and providing alliances and training to professionals from both the public and private sectors at national and international level. The keystone programme is the Mexican School of Down Art, whose works are considered living expressions of Mexican art, glimmers of the human spirit and infinite creativity. These actions promote fulfillment, human potential, a sense of dignity and self-esteem, and respect for diversity and human rights. The mission of the Mexican School of Down Art has become a model throughout the entire World after its masterpieces’ successful traverse in diverse forums of Mexico, America, Europe and Asia.
Moved by these visions, the John Langdon Down Foundation organised 2 International Congresses as well as 4 International Down Syndrome Symposiums, with the enthusiastic participation of accomplished specialists such as Jérôme Lejeune, Siegfried Pueschel, David Patterson, and Joe Berg, to mention a few. The Foundation also published the first book on Down syndrome written in Spanish "El Niño con Síndrome de Down", and continually publishes articles in specialised magazines. Sylvia collaborates with Spain´s Minusval journal as a correspondent.
Sylvia’s endeavours have been repeatedly recognised and honoured, including the President’s Special Award at the National Down Syndrome Congress in 1981; the National Down Syndrome Society´s Meritorious Award at the World Down Syndrome Congress in 1993; the Meritorious Award at the 6th World Down Syndrome Congress, in Madrid in 1997; the Medal by Shalom as The Most Distinguished Women of the Year, in Mexico City in 1994; the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ Service Award in 1999; The Special Award from “Down Syndrome International" (DSi), at the 10th World Down Syndrome Congress in Dublin, Ireland, 2009, and the Award “Compromiso con los Demás”, from the Centro Mexicano para la Filantropía,(CEMEFI) México, City., 2009.
With her strong character and dauntless spirit, Sylvia has not only paved the way to bringing education and attention to people with Down syndrome, but has also succeeded in consolidating a new cultural stance which allows them to actively and creatively participate in the social and economic life of their communities. In the words of Horace Mann:
“Mrs. Escamilla is a leader of quality and commitment. She cares. She works hard. She hires and prepares good people to work with these individuals. She makes sure that her Centre is a training facility to develop associated disciplines essential to bringing quality service to her people.”
