|
Join Our List
|
|
|
Designate USOD
|
|
Make a Double Difference!
Please consider designating your UW donation to USOD.
|
Interested in
Hockey?
|
|
A parent is interested in developing a special needs boys and girls hockey training &/or team. Are you interested?
Quick One Question Link
|
USOD
Board of Directors |
Casey
Atkinson
David J. Bruening
Allan Buzzelli
Renee Chappell
Denise Cirino
Sandy Donahoe
Scott Eitman
Sue Groszek
Debbie Marks
Michele C. Raia
Ann Regan
Katherine E. Schubert
Lisa G. Trifiletti
Ken Vinikoff
Brian J. Weiss, DPM
| |
|
Come Run the Bases & More - Cleveland Indians Game
|
|
 Sunday, September 6th 1:00 pm game
Cleveland Indians vs Minnesota Twins Tickets are discounted & proceeds go to the USOD! All kids 14 and under will receive an Onion Plush Doll & run the bases after the game! Buy tickets on-line at from this special Indian's link or on the USOD homepage & use special offer code USOD09. |
Volunteer For The Up Side of Downs
|
|
 What makes the USOD a success is YOU!
We are very excited to announce on-line registration and tracking for volunteer opportunities for the USOD. It is so easy to log in, list your interests & unique skills, then see what is available & sign up in a 1-2-3. Additionally, we will be utilizing this system to track volunteer hours for the USOD Family Grants program which requests between 5-10 hours a year.
Log in here to be a USOD Volunteer
So check it out, log in & don't hesitate to contact the USOD office with any questions or suggestions.
Some opportunities we are looking for volunteers:
Patterson Family Fest - Sunday, Sept 13
USOD Development & Marketing Committee Wed, Sept 16
CWRU Medical Students Seminar - Tuesday, Sept 22
Dr. Skotko Sibling Conference - Sunday, Oct. 25
and of course always in the USOD office!!
|
USOD Family Fun Fest at Patterson Fruit Farm -
MUST SIGN UP!
|
|
 Sunday, September 13
Bring the family, pack a lunch (or visit the concession stand) and
relax in Patterson Fruit Farm's outdoor fun! There are so many
adventures to enjoy at Fall Fest. You can play in the hay stacks, climb
a tree house in the woods and slide down the 50 foot double slide,
wander through a corn maze, and take a wonderful nature hike through
the ravines and hills of Geauga County. In addition, there will be
entertainment, a wagon ride (ground conditions permitting), and pumpkin
painting available to purchase. mapquest
In the pavilion USOD will be having a fantastic assembly at 1:00 A
World Orchestra You Can Build & at 3:00 an instrument making
workshop.
Cost: Individual with Down syndrome FREE, immediate family $1 each, guests $5
You MUST sign up at the USOD Patterson Webpage Here
|
|
The Most Successful Buddy Walk Ever!
|
|
 Thank You To Everyone!
It was a fantastic sunny morning last Saturday where over 3,500 people joined together to celebrate individuals & families with Down syndrome. In the following weeks we will have numbers, photos, videos, stories & more. But for now it is the biggest THANK YOU to all the children, families, volunteers, BW committee, donors & sponsors for the
Best Buddy Walk Ever!
|
|
Baby & Todder Playgroup - DATE CHANGE
|
|
 September 14, 2009
Because of Labor Day the Strongsville Group was changed to the following week.
Great time will be had by all moms, dads, babies & small siblings
come hang, chat & play. Feel free to bring blankets and small toys.
6:30 - 8:00 pm Achievement Centers for Children - Strongsville 15000 Cheerful Lane Strongsville, Ohio 44136-5420 - mapquest. contact Debbie Marks for more info
|
|
Grandparent's Nook - Join USOD for Coffee
|
|
 Monday, September 14th -
First Grandparents Get Together!
10:00 am to noon Starbucks 4746 Ridge Rd. Brooklyn, OH mapquestHosted by Gay McVeigh - to rsvp
Free Subscription to On-line Grandparents Magazine -
Go to their website & use discount code:
FGWZA1 (normally $10)
|
|
Step Up for USOD Development & Marketing Committee
|
|
 Wednesday, September 16, 7:30 pm
We are looking for volunteers to get involved with various fund raising, awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts and all sorts of exciting projects to support the expansion of USOD programming and services. The idea at this point is to have quarterly full committee meetings with smaller task groups and teams for specific projects. So take a peek at just a few of the exciting Developing & Marketing projects in the works. Contact the office for more information & sign up through the volunteer network. If you unable to join us on the 16th, just shoot an email & we will get you into the loop & plugged in. THANKS!
October is Ds Awareness Month Bookmark Campaign
OBGYN Awareness Campaign
Second Story Productions Video Project
USOD Spring Gala Event - New Committee Coming Soon
Ohio Down Syndrome Advocacy Network
Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Disability Awareness Program
Annual Campaign
Dress Down for Downs / Genes Corporate Campaigns
Newsletter/Sunburst E-news/ Website
Wednesday, September 3, 2009 7:30 pm
5001 Rockside Road, Independance, OH - mapquest
|
|
Back to School Suggestions for Home-School Communication
|
|
 Sample Forms for Parents & Teachers
As the school year begins, there is no more important task than
identifying how communication will occur between home and school. In
many ways, systems of communication can set the stage for how
relationships unfold over the course of the school year. Establishing a
trusting relationship between teachers and caregivers is critical,
especially when working through challenges that may occur. Here are two sets of sample forms that may assist in the parent/teacher home/school communication dynamic.
These are from Indiana University Set 1 & Set 2
Educators should keep in mind that whatever form they choose, positive
comments should always outweigh negative comments. We wish you all the
best for a wonderful school year experience. Enjoy your students on the Down syndrome. Each has many positive and wonderful gifts to share.
|
|
Apraxia - Monthly Parent Series
|
|
 September 15, 7:00 pm
Has your child been diagnosed with Apraxia of speech, or do you suspect
he or she may have this condition? Join us for a question and answer
session with a panel of experienced professionals to learn more about
Apraxia and what you can do to help your child communicate more
effectively. We will explore the characteristics, diagnosis, speech
therapy methods, interventions and augmentative communication
alternatives to treat Apraxia in children with Down syndrome.
Cleveland Clinic Community Room in Independence
5001 Rockside Road Independence, OH, 44131 - mapquest
|
USOD Bookclub - Riding the Bus with my Sister
|
|
 Sunday, October 18, 2009
Order the latest book for the USOD book club, it will be a lovely afternoon of coffee, fun and friends at Joseph Beth's Bistro at Legacy Village at 2:00.
Rachel Simon's sister Beth is a spirited woman who lives intensely and
often joyfully. Beth, who has an intellectual disability, spends her
days riding the buses in her Pennsylvania city. The drivers, a lively
group, are her mentors; her fellow passengers are her community. One
day, Beth asked Rachel to accompany her on the buses for an entire
year. This wise, funny, deeply affecting book is the chronicle of that
remarkable time. Rachel, a writer and college teacher whose hyperbusy
life camouflaged her emotional isolation, had much to learn in her
sister's extraordinary world. These are life lessons from which every
reader can profit: how to live in the moment, how to pay attention to
what really matters, how to change, how to love-and how to slow down
and enjoy the ride. The book is $15 & will be for $7.50 for USOD members, send a check or email the USOD office.
|
|
Susan Robinson's Birthday Wish for the USOD
|
|
 Her Facebook Cause
It is with great generosity and kind spirit that Susan Robinson is asking her friends and family to support her birthday wish facebook cause campaign towards the Up SIde of Downs - Delivering the News Campaign. Already several donations have been received and we are very excited about this program for Fall as we enter Down syndrome awareness month this October. Click here to go to her facebook cause to learn more & wish Susan a wonderful birthday.
|
|
Free Football & Volleyball Clinic
|
|
 Saturday, September 12,
1:00 ~ 3:00 pm
We would like to invite you to attend the first annual
St. Paschal Baylon - Nick's Knights - Special Needs Football Clinic
(Boys) & Volleyball Clinic (Girls). By Sept 9th please email your R.S.V.P. to Tim.Salcer@chattem.com
See flyer for full details |
|
A Spark of Hope Fundraiser
|
|
 Friday, September 18, 7:00 pm
Pediatric blood cancers continue to devastate over 100,000 children and their families a year. The lives of Hope Fimiani, age 2 and Michael Sparkman, age 7, tragically ended in October 2008 as a result of Leukemia and Lymphoma. The non-profit foundation, A SPARK OF HOPE,
has recently been established by Michael and Hope's families to provide financial and emotional support to children diagnosed and their families, many of whom are unable to adequately pay for the most appropriate and cutting-edge care. For more information, purchase tickets or to donate see this invitation.
|
|
Adaptive Aquatics beg. Sept. 21
|
|
Kent State University Student
Recreation and Wellness Center within the Aquatics Department We are offering an
Adaptive Aquatics program designed for children
ages 3 to 12 of all abilities. The program encourages a sense of freedom in the
water and supports the goal of the child by offering individualized
accommodations.
Ultimately,
the goal of the program is to provide an environment that builds on strengths
and minimizes limitations; working with the individual to push past physical,
social, and emotional challenges to provide meaningful swimming. See flyer for full details
|
|
Partners in Policymaking
|
|
 Arc of Greater Cleveland
is facilitating the Partners in
Policymaking® leadership training program between the months of January -
May 2010. Partners in Policymaking® is an internationally recognized training
series that is designed for adults with disabilities and for parents of
children under the age of 12 with disabilities.
Through participation in Partners in Policymaking®, individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities and parents of children under
the age of 12 with disabilities will become leaders. Partners is about creating, working towards,
and achieving a vision of shared values about individuals with disabilities. An application letter is
attached. Space is limited so apply
NOW for the 2010 class of Partners in
Policymaking®.
Please call (216) 622-0755 or
email for more information.
|
|
|
BREATHE Respite Program - New Website Registration
|
|
Fellowship Bible Church, in
Chagrin Falls, is launching a FREE respite program to support families with
kids with special needs in September.
·
Monthly "date
night" for parents to take a needed breather!
· FREE!
· No less than a 1:1
ratio of trained, background checked volunteers per child.
· Siblings are
welcome!
· Sensory room and
quiet room available
· Medical team and
on site security
· All dietary needs
accommodated
Our goal is to spoil the
families! Contact program coordinator, Candy Baroni at
216.299.1669 or cbaroni2@aol.com, or Karen Kalis at
440.382.1787. Register at their new website
See flyer for full details - BREATH Sept. 25
|
USOD Mission
To provide support, education, and advocacy for people with Down syndrome, their families and communities.
Vision
The Up Side of Downs is committed to building a community where
people with Down syndrome are independent and have the opportunity to
reach their fullest potential.
History
In the early 1980's, a handful of parents whose children had Down
syndrome began to meet informally over coffee for socialization and
support. Nearly thirty years later, with the help of a lot of coffee
& caffeine, their vision and hard work has taken the Up Side of
Downs from a grassroots parent movement to a staffed nonprofit
organization joining over 800 families throughout Northeast Ohio.
We invite you to connect with our with our support community to join us at one of our many programs & services, do research in our comprehensive resource directory, join our on-line family support network, enjoy our scrapbook photo gallery and so much more.
Contact the Up Side of Downs of Greater Cleveland.
The Up Side of Downs of Greater Cleveland
23230 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 640
Cleveland, OH 44122
phone
216.464. (8763)
fax
216.378.1975
e-mail
info@theupsideofdowns.org
|
|
|
