Here’s why city sites will light up orange tomorrow

THE Toowoomba city hall and Victoria St bridge will light up orange tomorrow night to acknowledge those living with Fragile X.

THE Toowoomba city hall and Victoria St bridge will light up orange tomorrow night as part of Fragile X syndrome awareness day.

Toowoomba mum Karin Morris, whose son Richard lives with the condition, said she was pleased to see the display come to the region.

Fragile X is a genetic disorder which causes mild to moderate intellectual disability and autistic behaviours, with few physical markers.

"When Richard was born (the diagnosis of) Fragile X didn't exist," Ms Morris said.

"He was diagnosed just before his 21st birthday and that's when things changed - we knew what we were looking at and we started to get information."

Ms Morris said she hoped the Light up for Fragile X initiative, which was running across the nation, would build awareness and lead to more inclusion for people living with the condition.

 

Richard and mum Karin Morris, with their dogs Minnie (left) and Josie, hope the light up the night event will raise awareness of people like Richard who live with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), Monday, July 20, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

"I want people to understand that Fragile X is real and for people to take them as they are," she said.

"(The syndrome) is not very well known and there are still a lot of doctors who are not familiar with it.

"I hope the campaign will make people curious."

For more information on the campaign or Fragile X syndrome visit fragilex.org.au.

Richard Morris, with his dogs Minnie (left) and Josie, hopes the light up the night event will raise awareness of people who live with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), Monday, July 20, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer