Tuesday, December 6, 2011

December 2011 Events



I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Holiday party this weekend! Thanks again to the Chase family for hosting and Donna for sending out all the invites and organizing the food. We are still planning to have some of the Kappa Delta's at the party to help watch the younger kids. I do not have a final confirmation at this time of how many volunteers we will have but I am planning on bringing a small gift as a thank you.

The Lowndes Advocacy Resource Center (LARC) is in need of consumer presents for their annual Christmas party. They need 69 presents for males and 31 for females.  If you would like to help, you can bring items to me, Erin, at our DS Christmas party or drop them off at First Christian Church by December 16th. Please limit the value to around $10.  Ideas include:  cologne/perfume, t-shirts, hair items, hats-caps, billfolds, watches, jewelry, bath sets, etc... For many of the consumers this will be the only gift they receive this year.

 

Looking ahead….I know it’s a month away but I wanted to mention some dates in January so you can go ahead and put them on your calendar.



            Beginning in January, the DSASG Planning Committee will start meeting once a month to  plan out the year for our group. Different topics to cover include advocacy, fundraising, events and outreach. If you would like to be a part of Planning Committee please feel free to join us. We are looking for someone to head up each area or volunteer your time with one of the areas you feel pulled to. The meetings are tentatively scheduled for the first Thursday of the month.  Our regular monthly meeting will be January 14th at First Christian Church. Further details about a speaker and topic to be announced.  


            The Lowndes Interagency Coordinating council is presenting a special speaker in January   about children with Down syndrome.  The presentation will be located at the Valdosta Human Services Building in the 1st floor conference room from 8:30 am – 12 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012.  Guest speaker is Dr. Cynthia Jones from Atlanta Georgia.  She is the Executive Director of the Down syndrome Association of Atlanta. 


            In January, I will be sending out a monthly newsletter for our group. The newsletter will   give information about the upcoming meetings and events. It will also spotlight various members and their families. Donna will continue to keep our website and facebook page updated while also sending out emails about various opportunities as they arrive. If you learn of any event or opportunity you would like me to share in the newsletter or for Donna to post online, please send it to us at info@southgeorgiadsa.org.



For those that will not be at our event this Saturday, we will miss you and hope to see everyone in January at our monthly meeting! Happy Holidays!

Erin Gaskins

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Gift Giving Guide for Children with Down Syndrome

The following guide contains toys and materials used by the occupational, physical, and speech therapists in the Thomas Center for Down Syndrome. Items listed are recommended by the Thomas Center for play and interaction with your child.
Information can be found at 2011-2012 Gift Giving Guide.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

DSA Holiday Party—December 10th


charlie-brown-christmas-charlie-brown-christmas-special
We are pleased to announce our first Christmas party for the DSA.  The event will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 4 pm – 7 pm at the home of Polly and Darren Chase.  They are hosting a potluck dinner.  A book exchange will be done for the kids if you would like to participate.  If you plan on attending, please email us at info@southgeorgiadsa.org with the number of family members attending as soon as you are able.  We would like to have a head count as soon as possible for planning purposes. We are asking that everyone bring a dish to share at the party. If you need an idea of what to possibly bring, please contact Donna @ the above e-mail.   Please help to spread the word to anyone you think may be interested in attending as we would love to welcome any new families here in the south Georgia area. 
We look forward to a fun evening of celebrating our families during this holiday season and we hope to see you there! 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Children with Down syndrome Presentation in Jan 2012 and Behavior Presentation in April 2012

The Lowndes Interagency Coordinating council is presenting a special speaker in January about children with Down syndrome.  The presentation will be located at the Valdosta Human Services Building in the 1st floor conference room from 8:30 am – 12 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012. 
Guest speaker is Dr. Cynthia Jones from Atlanta Georgia.  She is the Executive Director of the Down syndrome Association of America Atlanta office. 
Topics to be addressed:   
  • up to date research information
  • characteristics
  • healthcare guidelines
  • identifying potentials
  • future research
  • therapies
  • family support
  • utilizing resources applicable for parents, family members, therapists, teachers, service providers and other interested community participants
Please RSVP by phone to Babies Can’t Wait at 229-245-6565 or by fax at 229-246-6561

The Lowndes Interagency Coordinating council is also presenting Cynthia Henley, RN, Moody AFB on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 8:30 am-12 pm.  Cynthia will be presenting 1-2-4 Magic Behavioral Plan:  Encouraging good behavior, independence and self-esteem.  She is going to discuss Dr. Thomas Phelan’s system to address childhood behavioral concerns.  This will also be located in the same place as the above presentation and RSVP will need to be called in or faxed to the above numbers. 
Both presentations are free of charge.  Any questions, please contact Babies Can’t Wait. 

Sunday, November 6, 2011

November meeting and Special Needs Trust meeting



We  have a get together this Saturday, November 12th, from 10 am-12 noon at First Christian Church on Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA.  This is a regularly scheduled meeting event for the DSA.  Please spread the word with those who are interested in attending support group meetings. 

We also have a shared meeting with the local general special needs group, SOS, on Sunday, November 13th at 3 pm.  This meeting is going to discuss Special Needs Trusts and what you should know about them concerning your child.  Lawyer Al Turner will be the guest speaker.  The meeting will be held at Leapin Lizards on Dale Drive here in Valdosta.  Childcare will not be provided, so if you plan on bringing any children, please be advised that you will need someone to watch them while we meet.  Children will be charged the regular admission prices of Leapin Lizards, which is 4.50 for children 3 and under, 7.50 for children 4 and up. 

Here are some links to some interesting articles I have received recently. If you  have something you would like to share with us, please send us a message.  If you have any other suggestions or comments, please allow us to be of service to you.  Thank you for your interest in our group.


 
This is from the National Down syndrome Society.



Dear Friends,

Our November webinar will be “Oral Health and Down Syndrome” with Jessica De Bord. (This is an encore presentation from earlier this year).

This presentation will describe oral characteristics that are common in people with Down syndrome, ways to prevent dental disease, and tips for finding a dentist and having a successful dental visit.


Jessica De Bord is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Dr. De Bord is the oral health faculty for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at the USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She earned her BA from San Diego State University and her DDS from the UCLA School of Dentistry. Dr. De Bord completed her residency training in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Washington (UW) and Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident. During her residency she completed a Certificate in Maternal and Child Health through the UW School of Public Health, an MS in Dentistry, and an MA in Bioethics and Humanities.

Dr. De Bord’s primary clinical and research interests are the oral health of children with developmental disabilities and ethics. She serves on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Committee on Special Needs, is a member of the Clinical Advisory Board of the National Down Syndrome Society, serves on the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Ethics Resource Committee, and is a board member of the Academy of Dentistry for People with Disabilities. She is a member of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities, and the American Society of Dental Ethics.

Slides from the presentation will be posted to www.ndss.org. During the webinar there will be time for Q and A.

Please feel free to share this webinar and the login information with anyone you feel may be interested in the presentation.

Please register to attend this webinar. Seats are limited: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/863082050

Warmly,

NDSS

National Down Syndrome Society

666 Broadway, Suite 810

New York, NY 10012

800-221-4602

www.ndss.org




National Down Syndrome Society E-Newsletter
November 2011
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Join NDSS for the Buddy Walk® on Washington
February 29 and March 1, 2012
The Buddy Walk® on Washington is an annual two-day advocacy experience, which brings the Down syndrome community together to advocate for public policies that impact the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families. Participants come face-to-face with members of Congress and their staff to encourage them to advance education, research and healthcare for people with Down syndrome. Attendees will participate in an interactive advocacy training, attend a celebration and advocacy awards dinner and spend a day on Capitol Hill. The experience is perfectly suited for self-advocates, family members, professionals, affiliate leaders and members, and anyone else who wants to make a difference for people with Down syndrome.

This year, NDSS has partnered with Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) to bring all DSAIA conference attendees to the NDSS Buddy Walk® on Washington. DSAIA and NDSS are holding the annual events concurrently in 2012, allowing anyone who wishes to attend both events to save on travel cost and time. The partnership was established to maximize the power and presence of the Down syndrome community on Capitol Hill.
Click here to learn more.
NDSS National Policy Center Update
New Virginia Governmental Affairs Committee Organized

The NDSS National Policy Center team joined with leaders from five affiliate groups in Richmond, Virginia in a training conference to develop a Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) focused on improving public policy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families in the state. The Down Syndrome Associations of Fredericksburg, Greater Richmond, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia and Roanoke agreed to formalize a coalition and determined policy priorities.
Click here for more information about NDSS Governmental Affairs Committees.
U.S. Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus Briefing
A briefing for the U.S. Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus on Down Syndrome Research was organized by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. The briefing was intended to assist the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus in developing policy priorities. Presenters focused on the unique biology of Down syndrome, current research efforts in Down syndrome (including the National Institutes of Health, NIH, and privately funded efforts) and barriers to Down syndrome research. One theme underscored by several presenters, including NDSS National Policy Center Director Madeleine Will, is that infrastructure tools, such as a Down syndrome patient registry and biobank, are required to leverage research that will benefit people with Down syndrome and the general public.
First Meeting of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Down Syndrome Consortium
An historic first meeting of the Down Syndrome Consortium recently took place in Washington, D.C. The Consortium was created to facilitate discussions regarding Down syndrome research and provide for ongoing implementation of the long-range NIH Down syndrome research plan. Since NDSS sponsored a roundtable on Down syndrome research in 2010, NDSS has pursued the creation of a public/private entity focused on Down syndrome. The Consortium is sponsored by NIH's Child Health and Development Center (NICHD) and comprised of approximately two dozen representatives of Down syndrome stakeholders groups, such as researchers and other experts in the field, family members, self-advocates, leaders of professional Down syndrome organizations and members of the Trans-NIH Down Syndrome Working Group. NDSS President Jon Colman attended the meeting and will represent NDSS as a key stakeholder in the Down syndrome community. When asked about the meeting, Colman praised the leadership of NICHD for its commitment to developing the infrastructure necessary to strengthen Down syndrome research. He indicated that he was pleased to be named chair of the Contact Registry Subcommittee and eager to begin examining ways of organizing such a registry - a voluntary list of people who are interested in being contacted to participate in research.
Click here to see the NICHD press release.

Tips to Protect Students With Disabilities in Waiver Requests to the U.S. Education Department
At the end of September, the U.S. Department of Education announced its program to allow State Education Agencies (SEAs) to waive key requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA - formerly the No Child Left Behind Act, NCLB). These waivers could have a potentially devastating effect on the degree to which states, schools and districts are held accountable for the academic achievement of students with disabilities. The key to protecting these students is to have input in the development of the state Flexibility Request in which the waiver terms are described. SEAs are required to consult with stakeholders, which would include organizations representing students with disabilities. In order to help these organizations with this consultation, NDSS, together with The Advocacy Institute, has developed a document that provides tips for providing input on the Flexibility Request.
Click here to view the document.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA - Formerly No Child Left Behind) Bill

On October 11, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Educations, Labor and Pensions Committee, posted a draft bill amending ESEA/NCLB. We were pleased that the National Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Task Force, chaired by NDSS, was successful at incorporating numerous provisions promoting UDL in the bill. However, there were still serious issues with the bill regarding the elimination of federal mandates for measuring student achievement and interventions in 95% of the nation's schools, the lowering of standards for highly qualified teachers, and the inclusion of harmful provisions governing Alternate Assessments on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAS). We expressed our concern about the first two issues in letters from the coalitions to which we belong.
In addition, NDSS worked closely with Senator Harkin's staff to make some important changes to the draft bill, which specifically relate to students with intellectual disabilities, before he offered it to the HELP Committee for "mark up" (a process by which the Committee makes any additional amendments). As a result of this advocacy, the bill considered by the Committee requires parent involvement in determining who will take an AA-AAS, ties the AA-AAS more closely to access to the general education curriculum, and requires universally designed regular assessments so more of these students do not have to take the AA-AAS. In spite of these changes, NDSS still had serious enough concerns about this version of the bill to sign on to a statement that we cannot support the bill at this time.
Click here to view the statement.
On October 20, the HELP Committee passed the ESEA (formerly NCLB) Reauthorization Bill with a number of amendments. Fortunately, the Isakson amendment, which would have lifted the cap on the use of alternate assessments, was defeated with the help of all those who responded to the NDSS action alert. However, an amendment on highly qualified teachers that we opposed because it loosened teacher preparation requirements was passed and one that we supported was defeated. The NDSS National Policy team will review the Committee bill in its entirely once it is posted online. A number of amendments to the ESEA were accepted by the HELP Committee. These must be analyzed carefully to understand their full implications. Earlier reviews suggest that several of them will do harm to students with intellectual disabilities, and our overall concern remains that the bill may codify low expectations for students taking alternate assessments.
Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination Coalition
The Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD), a coalition that NDSS co-founded, continued to meet with members of the joint House and Senate "Super Committee," which is attempting to reach an agreement on deficit reduction and other important fiscal matters. The ideas for which CPSD representatives advocate are receiving careful and serious consideration in these meetings. CPSD calls for holistic reform of the adult system of supports and services for individuals with disabilities, particularly intellectual disabilities. Changes CPSD seeks include: giving parents and individuals with disabilities like Down syndrome the ability to control the public resources they receive from different programs in ways that result in employment at minimum wage or better and independent living; and embedding Employment First principles and language in key laws like Medicaid to ensure that public dollars are used to reimburse provider agencies that place people in employment at a higher rate than those who place people in sheltered workshops at subminimum wage.
Sign up to Receive Important Policy Action Alerts
Be an Advocate!
You can help make a difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome through advocacy! Whether you aren't sure who your local elected representatives are or you are a seasoned advocate, there are many ways for everyone to get involved.
Click here to learn more and to sign up to receive important action alerts from the NDSS National Policy Center.
New Prenatal Test for Down Syndrome
On October 17, a new prenatal screening test, MaterniT21, was made available by the company Sequenom.
Click here for more information on this and other prenatal tests.

This new prenatal test for Down syndrome hit the market in 20 cities nationwide, which promises to deliver the most accurate and earliest probability assessment of a positive diagnosis for Down syndrome in a pregnancy. NDSS has updated its information for families and experts based on this new development to include criteria to evaluate companies with non-invasive prenatal diagnostic tests for Down syndrome. NDSS appreciates that these tests are likely to be safer for pregnant women than the current invasive options of chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis. However, before these new tests are made commercially available, companies should first meet certain criteria to ensure that all doctors and expectant parents receive up to date and accurate information about the test and its results.

Click here to read more about these criteria.

On November 2, NDSS will join Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) in hosting a webinar titled The Impact of New Prenatal Screening at 1:00pm ET. NDSS National Policy Center Director Madeleine Will, NDSS Board Member Dr. Brian Skotko and DSAIA Informed Decision Making Task Force Chair Mark Leach will present information about the new test, how and where it is currently being administered, the efforts happening at the highest level of government and resources available to keep you informed and inform others.
Click here for more information and to register.
Support NDSS Through Twibbon
Show Your Support with the NDSS Twibbon!
Over 400 people have added the NDSS pic-badge to their profile pictures on Facebook or Twitter! By adding the badge, also known as a Twibbon, they are supporting NDSS and raising awareness for people with Down syndrome to all who see their profile pictures.
Click here to view a selection of recent supporters of the NDSS Twibbon and to add it to your profile picture.
Buddy Walk® News
To learn more about the National Buddy Walk® Program and to find a local Walk in your area visit www.buddywalk.org.
Buddy Walk Success Stories
Each Walk has its own unique story to tell and leaves indelible memories on their participants. Over the next few months, we will be sharing Buddy Walk success stories. Our first story is one of the Opheim Buddy Walk in Opheim, Montana. It was organized (in a very short period of time) by Janet Bailey and Sally Fuhrman. Here is what they had to say about it:
"Opheim held its 1st Annual Buddy Walk on Wednesday, October 12, with 78 people taking part in the Walk. The Walk started in front of the Opheim High School where almost all of the 45 enrolled students and 11 teachers and administrators joined 26 people from this community for the one mile walk around the perimeter of the town. This was a very good turnout as the population of the entire town of Opheim is only 80.
One person said that the smiles on the faces of those four individuals with Down syndrome made the Walk worthwhile.
There are only four other Buddy Walk events in Montana. They were in Great Falls, Billings, Missoula and Bozeman, the four largest cities in the state of Montana. We were excited to bring the Buddy Walk to our small town and look forward to making it a bigger event next year."
To have your Buddy Walk success story included in an upcoming e-newsletter, please click here to email it to Becky Switalski, National Buddy Walk Director - and don't be afraid to brag!
Buddy Walk Firsts
2011 marked some very unique happenings at local Buddy Walk events. In Villanova, PA, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's 10th Annual Buddy Walk and Family Fun Day featured an ice sculptor who created a beautiful work of Buddy Walk art out of a block of ice.
The 10th Annual Manasota BUDS Buddy Walk in Bradenton, FL celebrated the Buddy Walk in a big way - by hiring a skywriter to write the words "Buddy Walk" in the sky prior to the event. Looks like a picture perfect day!
Have a first of your own to share? Click here to tell us about it!
2012 Buddy Walk Conference

The 2012 National Buddy Walk Conference will be co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. Stay tuned next month for a save the date and more information on our 4th annual Conference. We'd love to hear your thoughts on what you'd like to see included - click here to share your ideas.

Stay Connected

NDSS has many ways to stay up to date on all the latest Buddy Walk news: on Facebook, Twitter and the Buddy Walk blog. Thank you to everyone who has shared your photos and highlights and with us. We look forward to receiving more! If you have suggested topics for the Buddy Walk blog or would like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
My Great Story Buddy Walk Section!
The Buddy Walk® is a great time for bringing families, friends and communities together to raise awareness for the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The My Great Story campaign's Buddy Walk section is the perfect way to share your Buddy Walk experience with other walkers and those who couldn't make it in person.

The Buddy Walk blog posts stories from the My Great Story campaign on Buddy Walk Wednesdays - share your story for a chance to be featured! Click here to check out the Buddy Walk blog.
Click here to visit the My Great Story public awareness campaign and to share your story.
Buddy Walk Organizers:
Click here to download the My Great Story Buddy Walk flyer to distribute at your Walk and encourage your participants to share their stories!
Buddy Walk® in the Media
Many local Buddy Walk® organizers do a great job of reaching out to their local media outlets and getting coverage for the Walks. We do our best to track all of these placements and they're always great to see! Please click here to contact NDSS Communications Associate Jordana Stern to share a local article or segment from you Walk.
NDSS works with national media outlets to spread the word about the Buddy Walk program, especially during Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Here are some of the outlets that covered the National Buddy Walk Program:
About.com included BuddyWalk.org as its site of the day in its Children
With Special Needs Section.
Click here to view the post.
Bella Online covered the Buddy Walk in its Children with Special Needs
Site.
Click here to read the article.
Parents Magazine's Kara Corridan wrote an article about the Buddy Walk and her uncle, NDSS Goodwill Ambassador Chris Burke!
Click here to read the article.
Mothering Magazine posted about the Buddy Walk on its Facebook
page.
Click here to view the post.
Modern Mom Magazine interviewed Chris Burke and wrote about his involvement with the Buddy Walk.
Click here to read the interview.
USA Today highlighted NDSS' Down Syndrome Awareness Month initiatives, including the Buddy Walk, in its Charity Spotlight Section.
Click here to view the ad as posted on our Facebook page.
Fundraiser Focus
NDSS is energized by motivated people who contact us about wanting to make a difference in their community and on a national level. Each month, this section features an individual, family or group who has donated time and energy to creating exciting ways to support the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome by raising awareness and money for NDSS.

Cooper Classic
In the summer of 2010 Lawrence Goldstein and his wife, Lindsay Heit, let us know that they were planning a fundraiser for NDSS in honor of their nephew, Cooper, who was five months old and lived in a different city. They wanted Cooper and his family to know that he is valued and loved, and they also wanted to raise awareness about Down syndrome among their friends and colleagues.
Lawrence and Lindsay planned the Cooper Classic, an October softball tournament in New York City's Central Park and raised over $5,000. As we got to know them during the planning process, we admired their commitment to making sure that Cooper is given every opportunity to enhance his quality of life and become a valued member of our society. It is because of this that we selected Cooper, his parents, Tabitha and Jeremy, and his brother, Reece, to star in the NDSS production, Milestones.

One year later, Lawrence and Lindsay planned the second annual Cooper Classic setting their goal $1 higher than they raised in 2010y. They blew past it - raising nearly $8,000 this year!

Since Lawrence and Lindsay's first child is due on December 21, they decided to include a "baby pool" as part of their fundraising efforts. They charged $5 per entry and 182 guesses were submitted - date, time, gender - half of the money raised from each entry will be donated to NDSS. In addition, any donation over $5 will go directly to NDSS. This innovative idea increased their number of donors from 115 to nearly 300 people.

Please join us in recognizing the tremendous motivation and commitment of Lawrence Goldstein and Lindsay Heit, the co-founders of the Cooper Classic. And, please join us in wishing them well as their family grows.

Click here to view their fundraising page.
Click here to learn more about planning your own fundraiser.
Shop NDSS: Rhyme & Reason Clothing
NDSS is proud to partner with Rhyme & Reason, a Connecticut based company that believes a percentage of everything we purchase should be donated to a charity of our choice. At Rhyme & Reason, instead of spending a lot on celebrity endorsed marketing campaigns, they concentrate on making high quality clothes with minimal branding and allow their customers to give back to society by donating a percentage of each purchase to the charity of their choice.

They had us at "hello." We wish more companies felt this way!

To kick off this Shop NDSS partnership, Rhyme & Reason chose to give NDSS a $4,700 contribution. They felt the gift to NDSS could make a meaningful impact. It was made in support of all they had learned about people with Down syndrome in many conversations with NDSS. We are honored!

Rhyme & Reason clothing can only be purchased online. At the checkout, select National Down Syndrome Society and 10% of your purchase will be donated to us. Customers that use the code NDSS15 will receive 15% off their purchase and free shipping from now until the end of the year.

New products will be added to the collection over time and stay tuned for a signature NDSS t-shirt that is coming very soon!

Click here to visit the Rhyme & Reason website.
Click here to visit Shop NDSS.
Come Together for a Cause
NDSS is seeking people from across the country to join us in an effort to plan multiple events in multiple cities on Wednesday, March 21. We have chosen this specific date because it not only provides you with plenty of time to prepare, but it is also World Down Syndrome Day! Some of the events that are in the works are:
  • In New York City, our Young Leadership Committee will be hosting a bar party to raise money for NDSS. The 2011 NDSS Times Square Video will be played on all of the screens in the bar during the party.
  • NDSS VP of Marketing Julie Cevallos is going to bring cupcakes decorated with yellow and blue M&Ms to her daughter Nina's class in Connecticut.
  • Florida mother of three, Shannon Blaeske, established an online campaign in honor of her daughter Fiona - titled the 3.21 Project. She set up a fundraising page with NDSS and promotes it on her blog. She is also currently putting together a golf outing for March 21 in southwest Florida.
Consider starting an event in your area in honor of World Down Syndrome Day and raise money for NDSS - be creative! Click here to contact NDSS VP of Development Pam Sandonato to share your thoughts and learn how you can help make a difference your own way.

Stay tuned for details about a Twitter party using #321 on the night of these events.
Scholar Spotlight
Each year NDSS awards postsecondary scholarships to students with Down syndrome through the Joshua O'Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund. In 2011, twelve outstanding students received grants to help cover the cost of their postsecondary or enrichment courses. Recipients of the 2011 Joshua O'Neill Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund were invited to write about their experiences as students.
Marissa and her instructor, Matt Dostal
Marissa Erickson, a 2011 Joshua O'Neill and Zashan Tabbani Enrichment Fund recipient, is 20 years old and lives in Alameda, California. Marissa attends her local school district Adult Transition program. She also has the opportunity to attend college classes at the local community college to continue building her academic skills. Marissa works at the local movie theater, volunteers in a high school special day class and participates in Special Olympics. Her true passion in life is in the creative arts. She loves dancing, singing, drama and painting. Marissa was thrilled to be one of the recipients of the Joshua O'Neill and Zeshan Tabani Fund grant. She is using the funds to attend a wonderful art studio called Creative Growth. At the studio, she works side by side with artists and has the opportunity to explore different art mediums. Her teacher, Madelyn Covey, says, "Marissa is energetic, enthusiastic and adventurous. She is a prolific artist and open to new ideas and new mediums. Marissa is a wonderful artist and a great student." What Marissa loves best about the art studio is that they have many art shows throughout the year that display all the art creations and list it for sale. She says, "I love when people come and see my art. My art is a part of me and they can buy it from me."

When she is not at the art studio, Marissa enjoys taking keyboard and singing lessons. She is also in a drama group and will play the part of Belle from "A Christmas Carole." Marissa also helped start, and is a moderator for, an online fan club for James Durbin from American Idol. She says, "He is a hero to me and makes me want to sing."

Her future plans include attending post-secondary education at Fresno State University in the Wayfinders Program. Marissa looks forward to living in student housing, attending football games and continuing her love of the Dramatic Arts by taking art, dance and public speaking classes.
Click here to watch Marissa in a short documentary that was filmed over the summer at Creative Art Growth Studio.
Click here to learn more about the Joshua O'Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund.
Remembering Dr. Allen C. Crocker, NDSS Honorary Board Member
Allen Carrol Crocker, M.D., 85, of Natick, MA (and Gloucester, MA) passed away peacefully on Sunday October 23, at Newton/Wellesley Hospital from respiratory failure, several months after surgery to treat a non-malignant brain tumor.

Beloved husband of 58 years to Margarete Crocker of Natick (and Gloucester); devoted father to Elli Crocker Morse and her husband, John Morse, of Newton, MA, Philip Crocker and his wife, Nina, of Irving, TX, and Monica Doyon and her husband, David, of Oxford, MA. He was so proud of his nine grandchildren: Rita, Sonya, and Irene Crocker; Kelsey, Ethan, and Chloe Doyon; and Alexander, Brittany, and Evan Morse. Allen also leaves many extended family members in Germany and England and elsewhere in the U.S.

Allen was born on Christmas Day, 1925, in Boston, MA, to Ernest and Frieda Crocker. He was a graduate of Belmont High School, M.I.T (1944), and Harvard Medical School (1948). He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a first lieutenant and captain from 1951-53 and was stationed in Nurnberg, Germany. It was there he met his wife, Marga.

Dr. Crocker began his clinical training in pediatrics at Children's Hospital in Boston in 1948 and continued in his medical practice at the hospital until his retirement in June 2009. He was director of the Developmental Evaluation Clinic from 1967 - 1993 and Program Director of the Institute for Community Inclusion from 1993 - 2009. He was a pioneer in the field of developmental pediatrics. He wrote scores of articles and book chapters on genetic diseases and developmental disabilities, and co-authored and edited several seminal books in the field: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (now in its 4th edition), Medical Care for Children & Adults with Development Disabilities (now in its 2nd edition), and HIV Infection and Developmental Disabilities. He was a Senior Associate in Medicine at Children's Hospital from 1966 - 2009. In addition to his clinical practice, he was Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Associate Professor of Society, Human Development & Health at Harvard School of Public Health. He cherished his role as teacher and mentor.

Dr. Crocker served on several editorial boards for publications such as the Down Syndrome Quarterly and the Journal of Religion, Disability, and Health; as well as sitting on the boards of many non-profit agencies and consumer groups including the Boston College Campus School, Ironstone Therapy, Inc., National Down Syndrome Congress, National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation, and National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association. He also was on several advisory councils for state agencies including the Bureau of Family and Community Health (Dept. of Public Health) and the Governor's Commission on Mental Retardation. He was the recipient of numerous lifetime achievement awards and several awards are named in his honor (e.g. the Allen C. Crocker Award is given at each annual meeting of the New England Regional Genetics Group and a similar award is presented through the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress each year).

Allen was a lover of poetry, art, music, literature, oysters, wine, and nature (he could identify almost every native plant, marine invertebrate, and insect species) - and he liberally shared his passions with others. He found comfort and peace sitting on the deck in Gloucester with a view of Niles Pond and Brace Cove. Allen's lifetime motto (taken from his days as an Eagle Scout) was, "Leave the campsite better than you found it." This he certainly did. The world is better for his presence.
My Great Story of the Month Contest
Congratulations to RuLinda Krasovic, Denison, TX, on winning the My Great Story of the Month Contest! RuLinda's story received the most votes in October, and she will be receiving a beautiful collection of B. toys!

In November, the author of the story with the most votes will win a $50 gift certificate to ShoeBuy.com. Share your story and spread the word throughout the month to win this prize!

Click here to share your story.
Shoebuy has the largest selection of women's, men's and kids' shoes. Choose from over 1,100 brands, 1,000,000 products, the most styles per brand and the most up-to-date fashions. Shopping for shoes at Shoebuy is Risk-Free. Plus, enjoy Free Shipping and Free Return Shipping on U.S. orders.
Click here for more information about ShoeBuy.

My Great Story: Stories of the Month
Each month, the two stories with the most votes on the My Great Story site are featured as the Stories of the Month. The votes are reset at the end of each month.
To add your own story, or to vote or comment on others, visit www.ndss.org/stories.
World Peace
RuLinda Krasovic
Denison, Texas
Rylan Blaise came into our lives 13 months ago, but we can't remember life without him. I'm the honorary step-grandmother of Rylan, who has Down syndrome, and along with my husband, daughter, two sons, Rylan and his mother, we make an interesting bunch. He came from an unplanned pregnancy to a young single mother. Each day brings more joy and love, which is given abundantly from him. As he is learning to army crawl, point to his nose, sign "more," "eat" and "all done," he always stops to dance, laugh and give kisses. His smile lights up a room! When we are out in public his personality is contagious. He makes everyone smile and laugh. On a recent trip to the grocery store my youngest son, was waiting with Rylan on a bench while I shopped. When I finished and was approaching them I couldn't help but notice an elderly man sitting next to them. He was watching Rylan and my son interacting and the joy on this man's face brought tears to my eyes. It lit up his entire face, his eyes were so bright! This is the effect one little boy has on so many people. As we were leaving my son, who is 15, said, "Everyone should have a Rylan, he would bring world peace." I couldn't help but to agree.
Ethan's Entourage
Erica McCormick
Fort Dix, New Jersey
Congratulations, Erica, for submitting this month's
top voted story in the Buddy Walk section!
I am a mother of a 6 year old boy named Ethan who has Down syndrome. When he was born we did not know he had Down syndrome until a few hours after he was delivered the doctors came in and told me; my response was "special babies were born to special people." He puts a smile on everyone's face that he meets. He brings out the good in people and inspires me to be a better person and mother to him. Life can be challenging at times but it only makes us stronger. He is a funny, animated, charismatic, enthusiastic little boy! I feel Ethan was sent to me for a reason, he changed my life for the better and he has touched all of our families and friends lives as well.
We just had our Buddy Walk in Pennsylvania on Sunday. The only way to describe this day is AMAZING! The group that came out to support my son and my family was almost 200 people! Words cannot even describe the feeling I have that so many people were gathered there for Ethan. To know, that almost 200 people were there for my son is a blessing. I could not be any happier with the outcome of the day. The support we have for Ethan from family and friends is overwhelming. I am so thankful to everyone that took time out of their day to spend it supporting Down syndrome.
The meaning of the word Buddy Walk to me means togetherness. Everyone there that day was there because of their special buddy whether it was Ethan or another person who has Down syndrome. I want to thank the Buddy Walk for having such a wonderful event where we can all go out and support our loved ones. All in all, I am very lucky to have been blessed with a child with Down syndrome and I would never change that for the world. He is destined to do great things and I will be right next to his side the whole way!

My Great Story
in the Media
The My Great Story campaign has had some new placements across various media this month!
In Montana, Apostrophe Magazine, a publication written by, for and about people with developmental disabilities, covered the Buddy Walk section of
the My Great Story campaign.
Click here to read the article, which is found on page 29 (and look for the My Great Story ad, The Traveler, on page 45).
On Blog Talk Radio, Joy Keys interviewed NDSS VP of Marketing Julie Cevallos and NDSS Board Member Brian Skotko about My Great story and other Down Syndrome Awareness Month initiatives.
Click here to listen to the interview.
Parenting Magazine gave a shout-out to My Great Story on their Facebook page.
Click here to view the post.
NDSS would like to extend a special shout out to everyone who blogged, posted and tweeted about the My Great Story campaign this month. Here are a few of those who did:
Thanks for all of your support and continuing to spread the word!
Social Media
To keep up with the latest NDSS news and create some buzz:

Click here to become a fan of the NDSS Facebook page.

Click here to become a fan of the Buddy Walk® Facebook page.

Click here to follow NDSS on Twitter.

Click here to follow the Buddy Walk on Twitter.

 
 
 
National Down Syndrome Society | 666 Broadway | New York | NY | 10012




This was shared by one of the educational specialist at Hope Haven in Jacksonville, FL.  It is a free app from the Apple store if you have an iPad or iPhone or iPod touch. 

Verbally

Start a conversation

What is Verbally?

Verbally is an amazing, comprehensive assisted speech solution for the iPad. Verbally is a top-selling Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) iPad app and it's totally free. Unlike all other AAC solutions available, Verbally's unique, simple design allows users to communicate quickly and effectively in any setting.

Verbally enables creative communication, self-expression, and, most importantly, conversation.


Why choose Verbally?

Ease & Speed

  • Core Words Grid offers over 50 essential words, which can save you over 50% of the taps required to input your sentences
  • Core Phrases Grid offers a dozen common phrases to enable faster & easier conversation
  • Text Prediction that learns the words & names you use and makes entering your thoughts significantly faster than typing

Customization

  • Three Keyboard Layouts so that you can find the one that's best for you
  • Choice of Male or Female Voices

Cost & Convenience

  • Free App!
  • No WiFi or 3G connection required

Is Verbally for me?

Verbally is an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app for speaking unique thoughts and feelings, designed to minimize keystrokes and to maximize ease & speed. Verbally is an invaluable communication aid for people with apraxia, ALS, stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's, or muscular dystrophy.

How do I use Verbally?

Just download Verbally from the iTunes app store. Then, just use your finger or stylus to tap your sentence into the text box & tap speak. It's that easy!

For more information on how to use Verbally, check out the features section .

Verbally runs on any iPad that's running iOS version 3.2 or higher. If you're running an older version of iOS, you can upgrade to the latest version when you sync your iPad with iTunes on your Mac or PC.


Get the App

get Verbally


 
This is a great resource if you are communicating via signs with your child.  You can sign up to have monthly newsletters sent to your e-mail.  If you are potty training your child and use signs, a new video has arrived to help with that process.  You will probably receive this e-mail after the sale is over and I apologize.  I will tell you that Signing Times usually has a huge after Thanksgiving/Black Friday sale on their website and everything is 50% off in the store, so you may be able to pick up the potty video then. 
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The Signing Time MORE! Newsletter
In this issue:
  • Potty Time Introductory Offer!
  • New program for educators
  • Making a Difference: Olivia's Story
  • Make this fun scarecrow craft
  • Need gift ideas? See our staff picks
  • Take a Signing Time Class

New for Parents!
Sing, sign, and dance your way through potty training with this exciting new program from Two Little Hands.

Potty Timeis a playful and positive approach to potty training for children ages 1-5 with music and videos featuring Emmy-nominated host, Rachel Coleman. Potty Time supports any potty training method by helping children:
  • Listen to their bodies
  • Stop what they are doing and go to the bathroom
  • Celebrate their successes
  • Deal with accidents in a positive way
  • Appreciate their amazing bodies
Potty Time teaches the potty routine along with signs that children of any age can use to talk about growing up, using the potty, and celebrating successes of all kinds. See Rachel introduce the program.

Pricing good through Sunday 11/6!


Hurry, we only have 1,000 units at this pricing.
Offer good through 11/6 or while supplies last.

No coupon code needed. Offer ends Nov. 6th or until supplies last. No rain checks. Offer cannot be combined with other offers, coupons, or discounts.

FREE Potty Time Resources:

*App for IOS (iPhone, iPad) coming soon!

New for Educators!
Early Childhood Educators - this new product is especially for you! The Signing Time Preschool and Child Care Program includes full-color teacher guides, signing posters, Baby Signing Time videos and music CDs, and resource CDs packed with printables you can use in your lessons or send home for parents. Buy individual volumes or get all four in the Complete Program with free binder for $199!





Making a Difference

Olivia's Story
Born with a rare genetic disorder, Olivia was dependent on her feeding tube. That is, until the team at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore - and Signing Time videos - helped Olivia overcome her fear of eating! Read this touching letter from Olivia's mom.


What We Give: Gift ideas
When we asked the members of the Two Little Hands Productions staff what Signing Time products they bought for their friends and families, we got some surprising answers. Find out what Rachel, Emilie and others gave as gifts this year - and why.

Signing Time Academy
The Signing Time Academy is the educational arm of Two Little Hands Productions. The mission of the Academy is to bring the benefits of ASL to children of all ages and abilities through a network of certified Instructors who offer classes, products, and personal support to families in their communities.

Hand-y Scarecrows

Past Newsletters

Our mailing address is:
Two Little Hands Productions
870 East 7145 South
Midvale, Utah 84047

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Copyright (C) 2009 Two Little Hands Productions All rights reserved.

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