Sometimes Solay Thomas gets a little tongue-tied. She has Down’s syndrome and has been in speech therapy since she was little.

The 18-year-old hasn’t let it hold her back. On Monday, she’ll be front and centre at Crow Lane roundabout, raising awareness of World Down’s Syndrome Day.

“I am pronouncing my words a lot better now,” she said. “Down’s is all about having special needs. I have to go to a lot of therapy, but I am learning new things.”

People with Down’s have an extra chromosome, which causes physical and developmental challenges.

Miss Thomas graduated from CedarBridge Academy last year. She also spent a year at the Riverview School in Massachusetts, learning to be more independent.

“I had family and friends out there,” she said. “My school had dorm advisers. I cleaned my room, cooked and did maths. I am good at maths.

“I loved being in Boston because of all the friends I made up there. I want to go back out there, but it is expensive.”

She’s now working at Heritage Nursery and Preschool.

“I work four days a week,” she said. “I love taking care of babies. I have Tuesdays off. On my day off I take a walk and read. I relax.”

She also loves playing the guitar and rapping. At 11 she joined PCC majorettes and had a great time.

“I did it for a year,” she said. “We were in lots of parades. Then during the Bermuda Day Parade I had to sit on the side because my foot started to hurt. I couldn’t feel it. But I went back in and continued. Everyone was cheering me on. That felt good.”

She would like to get involved again.

Miss Thomas is the oldest member of the Bermuda Down’s Syndrome Organisation and Support Group. Founder Selina Dawson is hoping she might one day use her hard-won speaking skills to advocate for others with the chromosomal disorder.

“She came to my church, Vernon Temple AME. When she introduced herself to the congregation she spoke very well,” said Ms Dawson, who started the group after her son, Trudell Edwards, was born with Down’s in 2007.

“I started it because of a lack of resources and public awareness,” she said. “There is no census on how many people in Bermuda have Down’s. There are eight people in our group.

“The youngest is eight months old. We would like to get registered charity status, but first we need more people and support.”

She was 22 weeks along when she found out about her son’s condition. The news was hard to take.

“It played with my emotions, at first,” she said. “I Googled it and did some research. I started reading people’s stories. Some were good and some were bad. I said, ‘I will go on faith’.”

She’s glad she made that decision. Her son is now in primary four at West End Primary School.

“They are loving children,” she said. “They bring something totally different to your life. Whenever I am feeling down, my son will try to cheer me up. He loves to hug, and seems to know everyone.

“There have been some challenges but the school has been pretty co-operative with his care and needs in school. I would like to see more therapy involved. It is much needed. Solay is 18 and still has to have speech therapy. It is ongoing.”

Vernon Temple will recognise World Down’s Syndrome Day with a special service on Sunday at 10am. All are welcome.

The group will greet commuters at Crow Lane the next day, from 7am to 9am.

• For more information, telephone 500-6169 or visit the Bermuda Down Syndrome Organisation/Support Group on Facebook