The I Am One in a Billion! project aims to support parents and their children with Down syndrome by incorporating sports and exercise into their lives. This support encompasses expediting the physical recovery process through joint exercise activities for parents and children and facilitating their adjustment to psychosocial aspects of life.

Exercise and, in particular, pilates activities, will be adapted to the needs of parents and children to meet their specific needs. The goal is to strengthen the communication between parents and  their children, increase the quality time spent together, by introducing diverse and enjoyable exercise programs and, consequently, contributing to the child’s development, particularly in social and psychological aspects. In addition, the project aims to provide trainers and pilates instructors with the necessary knowledge and skills to create exercise programs customized to the needs of both parents and children with Down syndrome.

Therefore, the project I Am One in a Billion has the following specific objectives in mind:

• to increase the participation of children with Down syndrome in sports activities
• to help children and their parents adapt a healthy lifestyle to their daily lives
• to create educational videos for children with Down syndrome and their parents with pilates activities that they can do together and whenever they want
• to support parents and children through sports in spending more quality time with and strengthening their bonds
• to support parents to do more activities and socialise together with other parents and their children.

During its 18-month lifetime, the I am 1 in a billion project will directly and indirectly positively impact at least:

• 8 parents
• 8 children with Down syndrome
• 5 trainers/physiotherapists/pilates instructors per partner country
• 100 participants in events

I am 1 in a billion at a glance: 

• A Questionnaire for parents and Pilates instructors/trainers
• A digital Handbook with guiding activities for parents, examples of good practices, and various activities designed by education teachers, psychologists, physiotherapists and pilates instructors working with children with Down syndrome
• Educational videos for children with Down syndrome and their parents with pilates activities that they can do together
• Piloting activities
• Dissemination activities through dedicated Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts
• Final conference