International Day of Older Persons 2025

Celebrating Ageing with SBH

Every year on 1 October, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons, first proclaimed by the United Nations in 1990. This day honors the contributions of older individuals and highlights the challenges they face globally. In 2025, the theme is Older persons driving local and global action: Our aspirations, our well-being, our rights.

IF uses this day to focus on the unique experiences of ageing with SBH. The organization emphasizes the importance of empowering older persons with SBH, raising awareness of barriers they may face, and advocating for their rights, inclusion, and overall quality of life. The IF Working Group on Ageing with SBH plays a key role in promoting person-centered approaches to ageing, ensuring access to multi-disciplinary healthcare, support services, and opportunities for independent living throughout life.

This year, the working group hosted an online webinar featuring speakers of different ages, sharing their experiences living with SBH. IF President Victoria Sandoval opened the session highlighting the topic “Our Lives, Our Choices”. She emphasized the importance of listening to each other, celebrating older persons with SBH, and supporting younger generations. She described life experiences, both challenges and successes, as a valuable treasure that can inspire and guide others. Participation in the working group helps shape a better future and improve life for those living with SBH.

Vanessa, chairwoman of the working group and herself an adult living with SBH from SBAA America, moderated the meeting. She highlighted the significance of the day and the importance of connecting speakers from different parts of the world and life stages. Each life stage comes with unique experiences, and the webinar showcased perspectives from both older and younger members of the SBH community. Vanessa reminded participants that a diagnosis does not define the future.

Speakers included:

• Gerry Maguire (Ireland): Shared his journey of growing up and growing older with SBH. He spoke about the challenges he faced as a child, the support from his mother, and his determination to pursue his dreams despite obstacles. As CEO of SBH Ireland, Gerry encouraged younger people with SBH to dream big, aim high, and never be afraid of ambition. He also shared insights from his book, Walk Away & Forget Him, reflecting on resilience and self-belief.
• Su Xiao Vin (Malaysia): Shared her life experiences, including her social life, friendships, work, and personal development. Her presentation, “Living My Best Life”, focused on independence, positivity, and mental health. She spoke about facing barriers in education, community acceptance, and sports, as well as adjusting her career ambitions due to accessibility challenges. Xiao Vin emphasized taking life at one’s own pace, surrounding oneself with supportive friends and family, and engaging in leadership roles to grow personally and socially.
• Jurn Anthonis (Belgium, youth speaker): Discussed youth camps and the focus on independent living, daily care, and social connection. He highlighted the importance of perseverance, positivity, and being a role model. Now an educational officer with a psychology background and a coach for wheelchair basketball, Jurn encourages younger people with SBH to pursue their goals and embrace independence while supporting others along the way.
• Maahi (India, youth speaker): Shared her journey as a young woman with SBH, emphasizing determination, self-reliance, and leadership. She dreams of becoming a doctor and is actively working towards independence while living with SBH. Maahi also expressed her love for music, painting, and fashion, using her talents to explore her skills and express herself creatively. She inspires others by showing how passion, creativity, and perseverance can shape a fulfilling life with SBH.

Key Takeaways:

• Ageing with SBH brings both challenges and opportunities. Lived experiences are valuable, and sharing them strengthens the community.
• Participation in working groups, webinars, and advocacy initiatives helps improve life for current and future generations.
• Dreams, independence, and supportive communities are central to a meaningful life with SBH.
• Everyone, regardless of age or stage of life, can contribute to advancing rights, inclusion, and well-being for people with SBH.

Conclusion:
The 2025 webinar demonstrated the power of connection, shared experiences, and perseverance across generations of people living with SBH. From older adults reflecting on a lifetime of challenges and achievements, to young speakers shaping their future with determination, the event highlighted that age and diagnosis do not define what you can achieve. Through advocacy, community support, and personal resilience, people with SBH can lead meaningful lives, inspire others, and drive change for the generations to come.

Watch the Webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDDpSR6mCa4