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. 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: 10.2 |
October 8.2009 |
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USOD DS Awareness Bookmark
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 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
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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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| Mom's Night Out - Tonight You Deserve a Break! |
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 Friday, October 16, 2009 7:00
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! |
USOD Bookclub - Riding the Bus with my Sister
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 Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 pm
Even if you didn't read the book, come hang out at Joseph Beth's Bronte Cafe at Legacy Village - at 2:00 for great conversation, great friends, great coffee on the house by USOD. (maybe we will get around to chatting about the book.)
mapquest.
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| 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 morning to hang out, chat & play. Feel free to bring blankets and small toys. Free.
Grandparents are welcome!!!!
4255 Northfield Road, Highland Hills, 44128 - mapquest |
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230 Families - USOD Online Family Support Network
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 Latest Forum ?'s, Pictures, Fun
Over 230 people from all over Northeast Ohio (& a few from all over the world,) have come together on our very own free & private social network. Come sign up today and hang out with the greatest gang in cyberspace. Click here
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| USOD Siblings Conference - CANCELED |
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 Due to low registration, we regret that we must cancel the Siblings Conference for parents and children on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Our apologies to the families who registered for the workshops. Refunds will be issued as soon as possible. Please link to this one question poll so we can inquire about why you didn't register for the conference. This would help us greatly with future planning. Sibling Conference Poll Link |
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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 · Pledge Information Sheet · Awareness Stickers for Participants
Go to the USOD website for full details & register! The biggest THANK YOU to the following parents, schools & businesses that signed up for a Dress Down Day during October for Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Best Buy - Todd Sklarek Debbie Marks - son's school Our Lady of Angels School - Karen Struhar Peggie McGregor - For her Grandchild Siemens Inc. - Building Technologies Division Julie Farley - Miranda's school Lee Eaton Elementary - Morgan Kolis Spec. Ed Teacher Hilton Elementary School - Mitchner Family Michael Carter Group - Ken Vinikoff Mayfield Middle School - Laura Hannan Leighton Elementary - Dan Clapper Practice of Dr. William Mirando - Claudia Blackman Timco Rubber Products - Becky Rosciszewski Edgepark Medical Supplies - Gerrie Miller |
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Planning for the Future - Brennan Financial
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 Thursday, Oct. 22nd 7:00 pm
Brennan Financial
Group presents this workshop to address 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 Rd., S. Euclid, OH - mapquest
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Cleveland Metroparks Partners with USOD
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Sunday, Oct. 25 - 11am
Fall Colors & Leaves Program.
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. rsvp to Laura at laura@usod.org.
24000 Valley Parkway North Olmsted, OH 44070 mapquest
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Young Adult Karaoke
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Wed., October 28, 2009
Join us for young adult's Karaoke night at Toth's Place for a second night in October!
Please note there will be NO Karaoke date for November. We will
resume the first Wednesday of each month on December 2. $5.00 per
person.
Toth's Place 6966 Heisley Rd., Mentor, OH - mapquest
Call Rae Kinnaird at 440 944-8852 for more information. |
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Halloween Dance - Teens & Young Adults
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 Friday, October 31st
Dress up in your BOO-tiful costume & get down on the dance floor for the USOD Halloween Dance for teens and young adults 15 and up.
Cost: $6, plus a canned food donation for the food bank.
Fellowship United Church of Christ
30040 Ridge Road, Wickliffe, OH - mapquestrsvp to Rae at 440-944-8852
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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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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 -
Help to Maintain Online Photo Album
Writing Press Releases - (HELP!)
Host for Westlake Baby Toddler Group
and of course always in the USOD office!!
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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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Where the Wild Things Are
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 Saturday, Oct. 17th
All movies are at 10:00 AM at AMC's Ridge
Park Square, 4788
Ridge Road, Brooklyn, OH
The lights are brought up and the sounds turned down and the "silence is golden" policy is not enforced. Outside food is permitted.
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| Medina Mom's Night Out |
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| Thursday, November 12, 2009
Join us for Ladies Night Out in Medina on the second Thursday of each month. Medina Moms have been meeting for over three years and welcome new members to join us for fun and friendship! We meet at the Starbucks/Chipotle in Medina.
Our group also enjoys holiday get-togethers, picnics, and other social events. We also participate in a monthly playgroup at the Medina MRDD the third Monday of each month. This is in conjunction with Help Me Grow.
For more information or to rsvp, call Jamie Varga, 330-220-1045.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 899 N. Court Street, Medina
Starbucks, 897 N. Court Street, Medina
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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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| BULLY-PROOF YOUR KID |
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 Wednesday, October 21, 2009
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Licensed Counselor Susan Fee explains how to:
- Recognize bullying behaviors and signs of trouble
- Reinforce positive communication skills
- Model empathy
- Teach resiliency skills
Free Seminar -- Space is limited, so register early! Visit www.cvccworks.com or call 440-746-8115 to register.
Seminar held at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, 8001 Brecksville Rd., Brecksville, OH 44141 mapquest |
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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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Lake Metroparks Adapted Programming
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 November Schedule
FLOOR HOCKEY
(5 sessions) on Tuesday November 3 at 5:30pm at Broadmoor School,
BASIC MIME
CLASS (2
sessions) on Friday Nov. 6 at 6:30pm at Willowick
Lakefront Lodge
DISCO FEVER DANCE on Sunday November 22 at 5:30pm at Pine
Ridge Country Club. Contact the Park Registration Department at 1-800-669-9226
or www.lakemetroparks.com for more
information.
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Workshop on Floor Time Play - Galvin & Associates
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NOVEMBER 9, 16 & 23
·Learn to tailor your play skills to increase your young child's coping & problem solving skills.
· Participants will learn how to encourage cognitive, emotional & moral development through specific play techniques. See flyer for full details.
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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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