Our journey
The birth of Premiers pas
Chatting mothers exchanging stories about how they discovered their unborn or newborn child lives with Down syndrome brought about huge realization that things can be done better.
In early 2019, mums from French-speaking Switzerland decided to pool their resources, ideas and time to create a suitcase and ‘premiers-pas’ was born.
How it works
Each year in Switzerland, 60 to 80 children are born with Down syndrome. For many parents and families, receiving this diagnosis can be overwhelming, as they may not fully understand what it means.
Premiers Pas learns about these births through various channels, including hospital contacts, midwives, associations like ART21, insieme21, avventuno, insieme, hope21, word of mouth, and online sources. To ensure that every family knows we exist, we work hard to spread awareness through flyers and contact information in four languages as part of our nationwide initiative.
Each canton has two ambassadors who personally reach out to families, communicates, answers questions and arrange a visit, and deliver the welcome suitcase to those who wish to receive it. They also invite families to join Premiers Pas and regional Down syndrome groups, providing them with a strong support network.
The full circle
Embracing inclusion with Premiers pas
We believe in truly walking the talk when it comes to inclusion. That’s why we’re thrilled to have a growing number of ambassadors with Down syndrome who personally help deliver our Premiers pas suitcase to new babies and their families.
Their involvement is a powerful way to showcase their abilities, spread joy, and reinforce our commitment to true inclusion— inspiring and connecting with new parents on this journey.
Parents’ needs
Any birth represents a big change in a family, the announcement of Down syndrome is often reported as being emotionally heavy. Shortcomings by the medical profession in the conditions and content of the announcement and recommendations are common.
Difficulties may arise in the support of the child, in regards to the family and friends, financial support, and more. The need for information is important and although there are many resources, it is sometimes complicated to find reliable informations. Exchanges and support with other parents are often requested and appreciated by families. We’ve been there and know how it feels!
The suitcase
More than just a box of gifts
….it’s a carefully crafted support system designed with three key ingredients:
Just as each person with Down syndrome is unique, each ‘premiers pas’ suitcase contains a unique selection of beautiful gifts for the baby, siblings and the parents.
Because some gifts go beyond what’s inside the box.
We provide trusted resources that cover everything you didn’t know about life with a twist. These booklets include information booklets, helpful tips on breastfeeding, and practical advice for navigating life’s challenges.
They are designed to support families with valuable information and resources, making it easier to handle different situations with confidence and ease.
We offer fellowship and connection by providing in-person support through home and hospital visits. Families can also stay connected through our Premiers Pas WhatsApp group and social media.
Depending on their language, we link them to the appropriate Swiss Down syndrome associations..