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Join Our List
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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
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New Internet Home for USOD
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www.usod.org
Now it will be even easier to remember, promote & find the Up Side of Downs of Greater Cleveland online. So make a new bookmark & keep coming back often for updates, info & exciting activities. All of our email addresses have shortened to usod.org, but everything will still find us.
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Evening in the Valley - USOD Fundraiser
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 Saturday, October 10, 2009
Join
us for an evening in scenic Hunting Valley at the Historic White North
Stable.A beautiful horse farm built in the 1920's, now a dedicated
horse property. There will be a wine & food tasting along with
great prizes & raffles. (2008 Pictures)
White North Stable 6:00 ~ 9:00
3160 Chagrin River Road Hunting Valley, OH 44022 - map
This evening we will also be honoring USOD parents Michael & Denise Cirino, for their dedication to the USOD since Alexa was
born, twelve years ago. We are creating
an Ad and Tribute Book in their honor to be shared with all of our families and
friends. Please consider placing an advertisement which may include your logo
and any information about your business, a personal tribute to Michael & Denise or to the USOD. Tribute Information
Tickets are just $40 each & can be purchased securely on-line here or through the USOD office.
Please don't hesitate to contact the office with any questions, raffle donations or to volunteer!
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Baby & Toddler Playgroup - Eastside
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 Monday, Sept. 21, 10 am
Great playgroup for everyone, sibs & grandparents welcome!!! Achievement Centers for Children - 4255 Northfield Road Highland Hills , OH 44128 - mapquest
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Designate USOD
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 Make a Double Difference!
Please consider designating your UW donation to USOD. Thanks!
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Special Needs Financial Planning
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 Thursday, September 24, 2009 7:00 pm
As the life expectancy for people with Down syndrome increases, aging
parents are faced with a difficult question: what will happen to my
child after I'm gone? Brennan Financial Group will present this
workshop to address this quesion and explore the unique legal and
financial issues faced when planning for the future of a dependent with
special needs. Topics will include guardianship issues, Special Needs
Trusts, and funding Special Needs Trusts for a dependent. Grandparents
are also encouraged to attend.
Location: 27333 Center Ridge Road Westlake, OH 44145
Contact: rsvp@usod.org |
Volunteer For The Up Side of Downs
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 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 become 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:
Phone Calls to Bookstores for DS Bookmark Campaign for October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month - Next week
As needed - Editing & Proofing Print & Media Materials
Evening in the Valley Benefit - Saturday, Oct. 10
Dr. Skotko Sibling Conference - Sunday, Oct. 25
and of course always in the USOD office!!
Special thanks Amy Weiser,
Melissa & Bruce Batista,
Susan Culp, Denise Cirino & Francie Sorace for their help at Patterson Farms this past Sunday.
Huge thank you to Ellen Hacker for her help at the office.
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| Grandparent's Nook |
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 Special Needs Trusts & Financial Planning
Families are often sandwiched between the long-term care needs of parents and grandparents and the health care, income, housing, and other needs of children with disabilities. Potential nursing home and other long-term care costs may prevent grandparents and other aging family members from providing for younger family members with disabilities. Though Medicaid law generally penalizes transfers of assets made up to five years before an application for assistance, there are several different ways that gifts can be made to (or into a trust for) a family member with a disability. The rules are more generous for parents seeking to make transfers, but there are options available to grandparents and others, as well. continue this article.... Also come to the Monthly Speakers Series on this Thursday, September 24th to hear more about Special Needs Trusts & Your Grandchild with Brennan Financial more details
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Our First Grandparents Get Together was huge success. This great group took up EVERY chair at Starbucks. We will soon post our next meeting at a new and larger location!
Thanks to Gay McVeigh & Barb Kimble for hosting.
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Does Your Business Process Credit Cards? Help USOD!
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First Financial USA (FFUSA)is a registered Merchant Services Provider for JP Morgan Chase Bank.
FFUSA has an innovative giveback program in which they donate 10% of
their net income from their merchant credit card processing fees to the
Upside of Downs of Greater Cleveland. This is a great way to giveback
and it doesn't cost the merchant a dime. The money already exists. The
more cards a merchant accepts, the more our organization benefits. The
merchant can use their same terminal and deposit funds to the same
bank. There is no up-front cost and the merchant's fees remain the
same. Contact Kent Gilbert at FFUSA for more details.
We are proud to announce that Mattress Showcase has 11 locations on this program and the USOD receives monthly donations to support programming & services.
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Sensory Friendly Films -
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
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 Sat., September 19th 10 am
In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this
unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought
up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their
own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements
will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are
welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words,
AMC's "Silence is GoldenŽ" policy will not be enforced.
AMC Ridge Park Square 8
4788 Ridge Rd., Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 - mapquest
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Finding Developmental Disabilities Services in Ohio
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Help in Navigating Ohio's Maze
As professionals working for decades with people who have developmental disabilities in the state of Ohio, we began talking about how difficult & confusing the different parts of our system are. If we have a hard time figuring it all out, how is a parent or loved one supposed to know where to begin?
It was this conversation that led us to write this booklet for parents and other relatives of children and adults with disabilities. We hope it will give you some guidance and help you find your way through the maze of systems and services, with one overall goal in mind: opening the doors
to the best education, training, and supports possible to allow your loved one to live a meaningful and happy life.
You are your child's best advocate. Keep asking questions and knocking on doors until you get answers you need.
Download the Guide Today
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Kool Korkers
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 Kool Bows for Down Syndrome
Korker
bows are the hottest hair accessory a girl can own. We have a wide
variety of predesigned korker bows & can do custom colors also. This korker was designed for USOD member Deborah Marks, check out the Korker website today & don't forget the USOD members craft corner! |
Monthly Speakers Series - Sexuality 102
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 October 6, 2009 7:00 pm
Lydia Troha, Human Sexuality Educator for the CCBDD, returns to talk
about the sexuality issues associated with that wild ride called
adolescence. The focus will be on teenagers from 13 to 17 years old, as
well as the 18 and older group transitioning from teen years to
adulthood. Topics will include physical development and maturation,
centering on how to prepare adolescents for independence,
relationships, and boyfriends or girlfriends. Lydia will also cover how
to present information on sexual intimacy, sexual behavior,
reproduction, STI/safer sex practices, and more. For more info on Lydia
Troha, see the attached bio.5001 Rockside Road, Independence OH 44131
Cleveland Clinic Community Room
please rsvp@usod.org
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USOD Bookclub - Riding the Bus with my Sister
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 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.
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USOD Siblings Conference
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 Sunday, October 25, 2009
USOD is having fantastic workshops dedicated to siblings led by nationally renowned speakers Sue Levin & Dr. Brian Skotko at the Strongsville Recreation Center
Just For Parents - What your other children without Down syndrome are thinking? Sibling Issues.
Through a series of interactive exercises, parents will explore what
questions, needs, and concerns are often raised by children who have a
brother or sister with Down syndrome. Parents & professionals will
come away with practical answers to commonly raised questions. 10 - 11:30
Just For Siblings- Brother-and-Sister Workshops
In these workshops, the typical brothers and sisters have opportunities, through
interactive exercises, games, and role-playing scenarios, to learn more
about disabilities in an accepting and confidential environment with
peers. Brothers and sisters come away from the workshops with more
information, social connections with peers, and early lessons on
advocacy. 2 sections available@ 1:00 pm & 3:00pm, but register
fast since there are only 25 slots available in each age group, ages
6-9 and 10 & older.
Special Registration Offer, $25 USOD family package - Any four spaces at the conference & a copy of the book Fasten Your Seatbelt (a $19 value.) Must pre-register on-line - Skotko Registration.(Use discount code FAM at checkout) Please contact the USOD office if a scholarship is needed or you have any questions.
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Fall 2009 USOD Family Grant Program
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 Deadline October 30, 2009
Family Grants are made available to the membership of the Up Side of
Downs to provide assistance to individuals with Down syndrome. The
purpose of this grant is to provide money for anything that directly
improves the life of the individual with Down syndrome. The funding for
Family Grants comes from donations and fundraisers. Download & open the following application.(you must have adobe reader installed on your computer) You can submit electronically or print it out & snail mail it to the office. Additional info is at the usod website. If you have any difficulties, questions or would like a paper copy sent to you in the mail, please contact the USOD office.
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Avon Lake - Hay Days
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 Saturday, September 19
10:00 am ~ 2:00 pm
A hands on experience for children & adults with disabilities.
(Rain Date is Sept. 26th)
Weiss Field, Avon Lake Ohio. See flyer for more
Located at the corner of Moore Rd. & Webber Rd. |
Raise the Roof Fundraiser - Maple Leaf Homes
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Wednesday, September 30, 3009 ~ 6:00 pm
Fantastic fundraiser for the residents of Maple Leaf Community Housing in Geaugua County. Please see the invitation for full details. Come join USOD in supporting a wonderful resource for our community! |
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BREATHE Respite Program - New Website Registration
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Fellowship Bible Church, in
Chagrin Falls, is launching a FREE respite program to support families with
kids with special needs in September.
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Monthly "date
night" for parents to take a needed breather!
ˇ FREE!
ˇ No less than a 1:1
ratio of trained, background checked volunteers per child.
ˇ Siblings are
welcome!
ˇ Sensory room and
quiet room available
ˇ Medical team and
on site security
ˇ 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
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Emergency Information Forms for Children
with Special Needs
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Emergency Information Form (EIF), which can be downloaded from the menu at the bottom of this page. This important document will assure prompt and appropriate care for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN).
Now, when these patients present to emergency departments or health
care professionals with an acute illness or injury, physicians,
parents, EMS professionals, and nurses will be able to use the EIF as a
tool to transfer critical information. Click here
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Pass It On & Help Get the Word & Resource Out There!
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TeensAgainstBullying.org.
PACER Center's National
Center for Bullying Prevention launched TeensAgainstBullying.org, an
innovative bullying prevention resource where teens can become a powerful part
of the movement to end bullying. Teens themselves participated in the creative
process of developing the site. Through videos, blogs, and social networking,
the site?s resounding message is ?the end of bullying begins with you.?
 Once the target of bullying, teen singing
sensation Demi Lovato is passionate about the cause. She is supporting the
effort by appearing on the new Web site and doing a digital ribbon cutting at
PACER for the Aug. 7, 2009 site launch. Learn more at TeensAgainstBullying.org.
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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.USOD (8763)
fax 888.708.USOD (8763)
e-mail
info@usod.org
web www.usod.org
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