This group of motorcyclists chose to call themselves “Route 21.” Route pays homage to the famous touring roads, and 21 represents the extra chromosome that causes Down’s Syndrome.
For the past six years, they have been traveling through Italy from north to south with young people with Down's Syndrome in the back seat as companions. The riders say it’s an extraordinary experience.
Good morning.
Good morning.
“This is the official registration to the Harley Davidson H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group). It has your name on it: Massimiliano.”
“You see? Congratulations.”
“Yesterday was a terrible day. However, ‘we are on a mission from God’ (like the quote from the 'Blues Brothers' movie), right? Tomorrow we'll go to pay for our... misdeeds.”
One of the members said this because while in Rome, they visited the Vatican. They participated in the General Audience and even gave the pope a silver ring with the “Route 21” logo.
GIAN PIERO PAPASODERO
President, Diversa-mente Association
“He (the pope) told me that we were doing something extraordinary because, if I remember correctly, he said the look, the smile, and the hugs of these young people are something very unique and wonderful. I cannot agree more with the pope because, for six years, I have been looking at their smiles, and I hug them. Surely they are giving me more than what the association I represent is doing for them.”
The ring they gave the pope is similar to the one shown by Stefano, a goldsmith from Vicenza, in one of the group's Facebook live streams from November 2019.
“We got the idea to do something special... So we came up with this special gesture.”
“This is this year's (2019) Route 21 commemorative ring. It's the fifth year. Here, show them.”
Gian Piero heads the “Diversa-mente” association, a program created to help young people with Down's Syndrome grow up through initiatives like this. They're projects that help them discover the world and also raise awareness within society wherever they go.
Javier Romero
Translation: Christian Campos
