Providing support, education, and advocacy for people with
Down syndrome, their families and communities.
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October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
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 There are so many ways that we can all step forward to celebrate, support & educate our schools, workplaces, families and larger community during October, which is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. So come out to cheer the Cirinos at the Evening in the Valley Event. Coordinate your school or office for a  Sign up to become a USOD Volunteer. Distribute Bookmarks as part of our Awareness Campaign Most of all though, give a great big cheer & hug to celebrate all the individuals with Down syndrome, their families & our wonderful community.
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| Issue: 10.1 |
October 1.2009 |
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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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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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Host a Dress Down for Down Syndrome Day
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We are looking for companies,
schools, and individuals across Northeast Ohio to help celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
If you are an Office Manager, Human Resources Director, Principal or Superintendent, Dress Down for Down Syndrome Day is a great motivator and morale booster for employees, while promoting unity for a great cause. If you are not in the position to approve this event at your work or school, please pass this opportunity on to the right person
It is a fun, rewarding day that benefits individuals with Down syndrome and their families thoughout Northeast Ohio. For each event you will receive a FREE Dress
Down for Down Syndrome Day kit containing:
· Registration Letter
· Posters
· Remittance Envelope
· Pledge Information Sheet
· Awareness Stickers for Participants
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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.
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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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
Grandparents & Professionals are ALWAYS welcome!
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| Gymboree Class - Beachwood |
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Friday, October 9, 2009 , 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Let your little one be a star for a day!
On October 9, The Up Side of Downs will bring a camera crew to Beachwood Gymboree to capture the fun on film. This video will be used to promote our organization and, of course, to demonstrate the abilities of our adorable kids!
This class is for babies - age 6. Siblings and grandparents are welcome. Class is $3 (Regular cost is $9 a class, this programming is being supported by USOD fundraising.)
1980 South Green Road, Beachwood, OH - mapquestGo to the Gymboree website for more details about the class & curriculum. |
| Towpath Marathon - October 11, 2009 |
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 A Fantastic USOD Team
Is running to raise awareness and funds for the USOD. Help get the word out to recruit other runners, sponsor our runners or do a general donation to the team. Each runner gets the coolest USOD jersey or running shirt in the entire world. USOD Towpath Marathon Team Website.
Huge thanks and best wishes to our current team:
Dan Clapper, Julie Farley, Andy Skorobatckyj &
Denise McCormick.
Race details can be found at the Towpath Marathon Site.
Do you have a passion for training for athletic events?
Do you have a passion for USOD?
Why not combine these two passions by racing for awareness and raising funds to help support USOD?
See the USOD website or the sports flyer for details.
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Baby & Toddler Playgroup in Strongsville - new date!
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 Monday, October 12, 6:30 pm Great time will be had by all moms, dads, babies & small siblings. Come hang, chat & play. Feel free to bring blankets and small toys.
15000 Cheerful Lane Strongsville, Ohio - mapquest |
USOD DS Awareness Bookmark Campaign
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 Keep An Eye Out Around Town
In celebration of October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month we are excited to launch our Bookmark Campaign. Throughout Northeast Ohio Bookstores and Public Libraries we are placing our free & cool bookmarks at their checkouts. Contact the usod office if you would like some for your school or location. Get them fast since they are going like hotcakes. fullsize image
Thanks to our fantastic volunteers: Amy Weiser, Laryssa Bell, Ellen Hacker, Christin Lucus, Sue Titterington & Karen Mahoney for making all the calls.
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I DID IT!
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Three simple words that
mean so much.
Jennifer at Three's A Charm has created "i
did it" t-shirts, a wonderful idea inspired by her son, Joaquin.
For every infant and toddler tee purchased (retailing at $21 in honor of
Trisomy 21), Jennifer will buy a copy of the new book GIFTS, sign the inside cover with
the name and/or blog of the child who the tee was purchased for and donate the
book to a local hospital, genetic counselor's office or pediatrician's office
in Sacramento, California.
Click here for more information or
to order yours.
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| Monthly Parent Speaker Series - Sensory Integration |
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October 14, 2009, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm 
Jennifer Smith, Behavior Curriculum Intervention Specialist for the CCBDD, presents a lecture titled, "Understanding And Addressing The Needs Of Students Who Have Sensory Integration Issues." This lecture is designed to help you understand the neurological and physical effects of sensory processing disorder, and provide practical strategies to bring balance to each sensory system. As a participant, you will be given information on sensory integration and its effect on an individual's daily life. Jennifer will describe each sense and how it can be affected by the disorder. You will also receive a sensory assessment, and concrete approaches to address the sensory needs of the individual(s) you support. Click here for more information about Jennifer Smith.
Cleveland Clinic Independence Family Health Center, Community Conference Room B, 5001 Rockside Rd., Independence, OH 44131 - mapquest
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| The Specials - Reality TV From Across the Pond
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"This is our world and we want to share it with you!"
Reality TV from England. Check out their first few episodes on-line. (not reviewed for content by usod) |
| Mom's Night Out - Every Mom Deserves a Break! |
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 Friday, October 16, 2009
Join us for Mom's Night Out at 7:00 p.m. at Yours Truly Restaurant - 8111 Rockside Rd, Valley View, Ohio 44125 The first round of appetizers is on USOD! mapquestThis is a great way to meet other moms in the area, compare notes, set up play dates and make new friends! Hope to see you there! |
| Baby & Toddler Playgroup in Highland Hills |
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Monday, October 19, at 10:00 am
Join other moms, dads, babies & small siblings for a fun evening to hang out, chat & play. Feel free to bring blankets and small toys. Free.
4255 Northfield Road, Highland Hills, OH 44128 - mapquest |
Education Resources - USOD Resource Binder
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Parents & Schools in Partnership Resource Binder
Available exclusively from USOD -- order your copy today!
This is a must-have for educators, parents, and all others interested in building success for students with Down snydrome. Included are ideas for modifying the day to day curriculum and activities for students with Down syndrome. Sample modules include inclusion strategies, classroom ideas, behavior, peer relationships, literacy strategies, math ideas, and much more.
Cost of Binder: $25.00; Cost of Binder plus 3 additional modules delivered quarterly: $40.00. This also includes access to our Educator newsletter, Inclusion Solutions, delivered bi-monthly by email unless otherwise noted.
Make check payable to The Up Side of Downs of Greater & mail to USOD office, call 216-464-8763 or email us.
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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 Bronte Cafe at Legacy Village at 2:00.
The book is $15 & will be offered for $7.50 for USOD members. Send a check or email the USOD office.
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Planning for the Future - East Side
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Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Brennan Financial Group presents this workshop addressing 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 encouraged to attend as well. Cuyahoga County Public Library, South Euclid/Lyndhurst Branch, 4645 Mayfield Road South Euclid, OH 44121 - mapquest;
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| Grandparent's Nook |
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 Make a Special Moment.
While your children attend the Brian Skotko Sibling workshop the morning of October 25th, why not take your grandchildren on a special program through Cleveland Metroparks? Discover wildlife and engage with the natural world in a fun and positive environment!
The Cleveland Metroparks Institute of the Great Outdoors has teamed up
with the Up Side of Downs to bring you monthly adventures with
Naturalist Bethany Majeski. We invite you to learn, explore, and have
fun at the Rocky River Nature Center! On October 25th, we'll enjoy the
beautiful autumn colors and collect some fallen leaves as we hike
around the nature center. When we get back, we'll use the leaves we
found to make leaf rubbings to take home.
Open to children 8-12 years old, with a guardian. This program is being
offered free of charge, exclusively to USOD families on a first come,
first served basis. Limit of ten children, so sign up early!
Registration deadline is October 19 to laura@usod.org, for more details click here.
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Woodbine House has a 20% off Special for all book on Ds
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On October 23rd the Tools for Tomorrow Conference in Downtown Cleveland is a fantastic community resource & education event. Consider registering, to empower yourself & be able to share information with your child if he/she has to work or can't go. Only $40 for the guest speaker, 3 workshops, materials & lunch.
For more info click here
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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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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 current opportunities we are looking for volunteers:
Available by Email As Needed -
Editing & Proofing Print & Media Materials
Writing Press Releases - (HELP!)
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 to all the parents who came and spoke to the Medical Students at Case Western Reserve University. It was a fantastic morning and everyone truly made a difference in the future our of community not only here in Cleveland, but where ever these 200+ students end up practicing in the world:
Sandy
Donahoe, Danelle
Eikens
, Marybeth
Horton, Laurie
& Alex Kowalski, Brook
Watts, Tom
Wirsing, Casey
Atkinson, Christin
Lucus,Renee Nemeth,
Debbie
Bruening, Jamie
Varga, Dan
Clapper
&
Michelle
McGinnis.
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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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| Gluten-Free Taste Fair |
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Saturday, October 10, 2009 , Noon to 4 p.m.
Mustard Seed Market & Cafe, Ohio's largest locally owned natural and organic foods market, is hosting a delicious sampling of foods for this special-needs diet at both of its locations in Akron and Solon. Enjoy samples of all kinds of gluten-free fare, along with guest speakers and local support groups to learn more about health concerns for those members of our families who are gluten-intolerant or have Celiac Disease (CD). CD arises when the lining of the small bowel becomes damaged from exposure to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
Studies in the 1990s indicated that children with Down syndrome are at a higher risk to develop Celiac Disease than the general population. Studies from Europe looking at the percentage of children with DS that have CD have ranged from 7% to 16%. Click on this link for more information on Celiac Disease and Down Syndrome. |
For Employers & the Media
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A national campaign to promote employment of people with
disabilities will ask employers to look at this population in a new
light. The Campaign for Disability Employment, a new effort of the American
Association of People with Disabilities, Special Olympics and a handful
of other groups, is launching an initiative dubbed "What Can You Do?"
It features a public service announcement and a new Web site where users can learn about employment issues and share their experiences.
Check it out & forward the site today! 
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Planning for the Transition
from School to Adult Life
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WHEN: October 19, 2009
WHERE: Middleburg Heights
Community Recreation Center 16000 Bagley Rd, Middleburg Heights
TIME: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00
p.m. (Lunch not provided) Cost: Free
Details & Registration: www.ocecd.org
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Tools for Today & Tomorrow Conference
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  Friday, October 23, 2009
The 2009 Tools for Today and Tomorrow conference is for you if you are
a parent, relative, guardian, teacher, nurse, counselor, psychologist,
occupational therapist, or aide caring for, or working with, children
with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities. CEUs are available.
Join us on October 23, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, at the Cleveland State
University Cole Center for Continuing Education. Gain new insights and
strategies, gather valuable information, and be uplifted. No one will
leave without making important connections with others.
Click here for event registration site
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Yoga Reach - Mayfield Village
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Who: Teens -24; 25 & older
Where:
Mayfield Village Civic
Center
When: Session II-Tues, Oct 27 - Dec. 1
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Teens-24
6:05 - 7:05 p.m. 25 year & older
Cost: $50/participant per session or .
Instructor: Char Grossman, M.A., NCSP, RYT-500, Therapeutic Yoga
Specialist and School Psychologist
Details: This therapeutic, educational program provides an
integrated system of yoga poses
designed to promote
the unification of mind and body. This program benefits those with
and without special needs. It develops strength, flexibility, breath
awareness, balance, stress management, concentration, self-esteem and a
healthy inner self. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat. Regis
Deadline: & Oct. 23 For more information - 440)
461-5163
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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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