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September 27, 2012 | No. 12
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We are pleased to announce the launch of a recent collaboration between the MDSC and The Arc of Massachusetts on Operation House Call, a unique program that for the past two decades has taught disability awareness to medical students throughout the Commonwealth.
Under OHC, a parent of a child with special needs informs students about best practices and sensitivities when caring for a patient with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). Then, through clinical instruction, the students meet a person with I/DD and their family in a non-acute care setting. In addition, medical students go in pairs for a 2-hour home visit, where a host family opens their home and shares their personal story.
The partnership will enable Operation House Call to strengthen its program. Through its health care research in 2008, The Arc found that many adults with I/DD in Massachusetts remain with their pediatricians. OHC is crucial because it sets the foundation for health clinicians to feel comfortable providing care for people with Down syndrome and other disabilities. See our press release in the Burlington Union here and visit our OHC webpage for more information.
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Facilitator Position Available at MDSC
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Early Bird rates are in effect for our upcoming inaugural Northeast Down Syndrome Education Conference on Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the Marriott in Burlington, Mass.
The MDSC is proud to partner with Down Syndrome Education International (DSEI), the leading experts in Down syndrome education, to hold the inaugural "Northeast Down Syndrome Education Conference." Registration is now open.
REGISTER HERE
The two-day in-depth Education Conference will include intensive training over 2 days for general and special education teachers, teaching assistants, educational/school psychologists, speech and language pathologists, early intervention therapists, administrators and other health and education professionals. The tracks are also suitable for parents looking for more detailed information.
For complete information, visit our website page and look for updates on our Facebook page.
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On Tuesday Oct. 2 at 10:00pm, as part of its Allen Crocker Speaker Series, the Boston Children's Hospital Down Syndrome Program is featuring Leslie Hughes from Mass. Advocates for Children who will present a lecture on bullying.
Ms. Hughes' lecture is titled, "The Massachusetts Anti-bullying Law: IEP and Schoolwide Strategies to Prevent Bullying of Students with Disabilities"
This free talk will be held at the Folkman Auditorium at Children's Hospital. You can attend in person, by live stream from home or by recording later. Check out this webpage for complete details on the Crocker Speaker Series, including upcoming speakers and archives.
The Allen C. Crocker Speaker Series honors the legacy of Dr. Crocker and is designed for parents and families members seeking quality information from experts on a range of topics related to Down syndrome. All talks are free.
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Volunteer for the MDSC Today |
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Bowling & Pizza for Brothers & Sisters
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What better way to celebrate than coming to Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield the very first weekend of October to join a community of thousands at our 16th Annual Buddy Walk & Family Picnic?
As in past years, the pristine surroundings will come alive on this special day with the sounds of families coming together, old friends catching up, new friends being made and the energy of people having flat-out fun. There'll be kids music, face-painting, balloon artists, magicians, a fire truck to climb on, and much more. Heather Hegedus of Fox25 Boston (below) will be our emcee.
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Top Tier Performers to Act, Sing, Jump & Dance at 16th Buddy Walk
This year, we proudly welcome true top-tier performers to our main stage at our Buddy Walk. This includes:
Actress Lauren Potter
Headlining is Lauren Potter, the actress with Down syndrome who plays Becky Jackson, captain of the Cheerios Cheerleading squad, on Glee, and a recent appointee to President Obama's Commission on Intellectual Disabilities. She is adored by millions (including all of us at the MDSC) for her acting , but she is so much more. She will be speaking on stage and greeting fans. See here for our look at "Who is Lauren Potter?"
Singer Ayla Brown
Singing star Ayla Brown (above) returns for her 4th Buddy Walk this year, and she just keeps getting better. For the first time ever, she's bringing to the Buddy Walk a full 5-piece band, a trove of new songs from a soon-to-be-released album, and news that her self-titled album released in April remains high on the Billboard charts. This week, it's #56 in the Northeast!
Yeager, the Award-Winning Canine
Yeager, the 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, performs internationally on the DockDogs circuit and holds the world record for Extreme Vertical Leap at 8'4". He and some of his canine buddies will be doing some tricks for the crowd. See our Yeager profile here.
The Boston Ballet's Adaptive Dance Class
Watch what happens when remarkable individuals with Down syndrome team up with the world-class Boston Ballet (photo below). Developed a decade ago, t he Boston Ballet's Adaptive Dance Program is a successful and unique joint venture between Boston Ballet and the Department of Physical Therapy, Children's Hospital, Boston.
Our 16th Annual Buddy Walk is an occasion you don't want to miss, whether you are looking to network, celebrate your loved one with Down syndrome, or just have a great time in a warm, welcoming, open-hearted community.
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Great news, we just learned that Sen. John Kerry, who had been the only holdout among our state's 12-member Congressional delegation, signed on to the ABLE Act, the critical legislation that promises to allow people with disabilities to maintain greater control of their savings. (Learn more about the ABLE Act here.)
 Sen. Kerry's support is a tremendous victory for one of the top priority bills on our national platform. It means that Massachusetts now presents a united front in support of this key national policy priority. There is no question about where we stand.
Perhaps even more important is the former Democratic presidential nominee's position and stature in the legislature. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Kerry is in a powerful position and his support bodes well for ultimate passage. Be sure to thank Sen. Kerry and all your federal legislators for their support. Go to here to get their contact information.
Special thanks to Laura Noble, John Anton and the Legislative Advocacy Task Force for their ongoing efforts to advocate for the ABLE Act. (Please stop by the Legislative Advocacy table at our Buddy Walk to learn more about this and other policy initiatives.)
It is your support for the MDSC at our Buddy Walk and other events and campaigns throughout the year that allow us to advocate staunchly and effectively for initiatives like the ABLE Act that will have a long-lasting, positive impact on people with Down syndrome and other disabilities not only here in Massachusetts but throughout the country.
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Whether you like to hit the pavement or the ice, you can do either this winter for a good cause -- the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. We have spots available for two unbelievable events:
Boston Bruins vs. MDSC All Stars on Nov. 18
Play hockey against Boston Bruins greats at our 8th Annual MDSC All Stars Hockey Benefit at the New
 England Sports Center in Marlboro. Every November, two dozen players on the MDSC All Star team, many of whom have a loved one with Down syndrome, sharpen their skates to face-off against Bruins greats of yesteryear. Friends of the MDSC fill the stands to cheer their team to victory (we hope!) in this annual grudge match. Last year, for the first time we opened spots for players ages 12-16 (parental consent to play, fundraising required). If you are interested in playing or would like to learn more, visit our Boston Bruins Partnership page and email [email protected]. Boston Marathon on April 15 Now is the time to make that commitment that you will remember for a lifetime! Start training now to run the 117th Boston Marathon next Patriots Day, and do it for a good cause - to support people with Down syndrome. Led by Coach Susan Hurley of CharityTeams, each team member accomplishes a monumental feat, completing the grueling 26.2 mile course. Through the John Hancock Charity program, the MDSC has 8 spots this year for non-qualified runners. Qualified runners can also run in support of the MDSC. Doing so will raise significant awareness and funds to directly support our programs and services. For complete information, visit our Race for MDSC page. To apply, email [email protected] 
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'Advocates In Motion' Year Kicks Off
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Hoop It Up for Down Syndrome
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Resources, Research and Specials
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