Providing support, education, and advocacy for people with
Down syndrome, their families and communities.
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| Issue: 12.4 |
December 9.2009 |
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Help the USOD Reach Our Goal of 400,000 Votes
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Currently We Are In 2nd Place!
We are so excited the Up Side of Downs has been
selected out of 5,000 applicants down to the final 50 in the Clorox Power a
Bright Future program. We would receive a $10,000 grant and a feature in PEOPLE magazine.
Everyone can vote
once every 24 hours for the USOD through January 17, 2010. Please follow the link to
facebook (sign up for an account if you need to.) Then vote for us every
day and spread the word to all of your friends & family.
We will be launching a campaign seeking 400,000 votes for the Clorox Power a
Bright Future program to represent the 400,000 people with Down syndrome
in the United States. To help with this project, join our "group", the Up
Side of Downs, on facebook so we can send out a reminder to you to vote each day.
Please don't hesitate to contact the USOD office with any questions, media contacts, suggestions or to help volunteer to spread the word.
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Photo of the Week
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for more photos - gallery
send great photos to
photos@usod.org
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Did you also know that you can send photos to woodbine house for their use? click here for details
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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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USOD Community Assessment Survey - LAST CHANCE!
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 10 Chances for 10 Minutes
The Up Side of Downs of Greater Cleveland is excited to announce the 2009 Community Assessment Survey of its families and community partners throughout Northeast Ohio who care for a loved one with Down syndrome.
It is imperative for everyone in our community to take 10 minutes to help lend a voice for the future of the Up Side of Downs.
The survey is accessible here --> 2009 USOD Community Assessment Survey and on the homepage of the USOD website at www.usod.org, through December 12, 2009.
Families that participate in the survey and update their contact information will be eligible to win one of 10 prizes of US Savings Bonds, area Gift Cards & toys that will be drawn at the USOD Holiday Party on December 13, 2009. (Winner need not to be present to win.)
We thank you in advance for your valuable time & insights.
You are helping all of us to better celebrate life with Down syndrome.
****We Need At Least 100 More Families to Step Forward****
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Mom's Night Out - Medina
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 Thursday, Dec. 10th, 7:00 pm
Grab a bite at Chipotle and bring it next door to Starbucks for coffee,
conversation, and cameraderie on the second Thursday of each month. Our
group has been going strong for over three years and we welcome new
members to join us for fun and friendship!
rsvp to Jamie at 330-220-1045
Starbucks, 897 N. Court Street, Medina mapquest
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Reverse Raffle Planning Committee
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 Wednesday, December 16th 7:00 pm
It is time to get excited & ramped up for the 10th Annual Up Side of Downs Reverse Raffle. The planning committee is having their first meeting next week at the Independence Library in the Community Meeting Room, 6361 Selig Boulevard, Cleveland, OH
Please come forward to help lay the framework for the fantastic event, which continues to support much of the programming and funding of the Up Side of Downs.
Sponsorships & Donations are being actively solicited and greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions, suggestions, donations or would like to contribute in any way but can't make the meeting, please email Sheila Raia or contact the office.
PS - Save the Date for the USOD Reverse Raffle, for March 27, 2010 at Landerhaven.
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Holiday Overload - Sensory Integration
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 Compiled by Laura Skwarski
Winding down 2009 often leaves children with sensory issues wound up
like an old-fashioned wind-up toy. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas,
Hanukah, and New Year's are filled with bright lights, loud music,
sounds, textures, colors, and many other things to throw children into
sensory overload. Holiday programs in schools and churches, crowded
stores, a frenetic schedule and abundance of sugary treats can prompt a
Chernobyl-like meltdown. Here are a few tips to help parents manage all
of this, and still manage to enjoy the season. read on....
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USOD Family Fun Day at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
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Sunday, January 10, 2010, 10am - 3pm
Bring your family and friends to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and
Museum to experience the music that changed the world. Discover rock
and roll history from the past, to the present as you explore seven
levels, five movie theaters, thousands of artifacts and numerous
interactive listening stations.
Enjoy a day of special activities just
for USOD families and friends, including self guided tours of the
Museum, craft stations, special educational programs that the entire
family will enjoy and prizes and giveaways for those with the best
dance moves.
(FYI - The entrance way of the Rock Hall and several
exhibits will have their volume lowered especially for our USOD Day, to
help accomodate our USOD friends that have sensory integration needs.)
Cost:
Individuals with Down Syndrome - FREE
Children Ages 8 & Under - FREE
Family & Guests - $5 (discounted from $18 courtesy of USOD)
Registration Deadline: Must pre-register online or send your information & payment to the USOD office by Wednesday, January 6, 2010.
Schedule of Events:
Museum Tours, Craft Activities & A Quiet Room will be available all day from 10am-3pm
Educational Programming & Great Entertainment Created Just for the USOD swill be offered by the RRHF award-winning
Education Department. Be prepared to rock and roll with Toddler Rock,
How to Guitar Works, a Sock Hop. Additionally we will be having a
Dance Party with lots of prizes & giveaways. 10:30am - 1:00 pm
Check out USOD Parent & RRHF Educator Jason Hanley
Rock & Roll: (noun) African American slang dating back to
the early 20th Century. In the early 1950s, the term came to be used to
describe a new form of music, steeped in the blues, rhythm & blues,
country and gospel. Today, it refers to a wide variety of popular music
-- frequently music with an edge and attitude, music with a good beat
and --- often --- loud guitars.
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Holiday Party - Registration Has Closed
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We are excited to say that the party is completely booked out for the year. Last year there were 300 people who came and we are looking at nearly 500 for 2010, wow.
Thanks to everyone who registered and stepped forward to volunteer. We are still in need of of volunteers to help on Sunday along with more deserts from the grandparent brigade. Please see the holiday party e-newsletter that went out for full details or contact the USOD office for any assistance. |
Happy Chanukah to All of Our Jewish Friends & Families
from the Up Side of Downs & Friendship Circle
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 Friendship Circle Chanukah Family Fun Day
1:00 pm - 2:45 pm; Featuring COSI on wheels at the Mandel Jewish Community Center. Co-sponsored by the USOD. $5 per person. See flyer for full details.
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Take
a 3-Minute Vacation to Make an Abstract Art Painting!
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 Chesapeake Arts Center
It looks like it hasn't loaded but it has. Put the cursor down on
the white screen and 'paint.' Click to change colors. Great little stress
release. Easy for everyone to enjoy.
Click here to have fun!
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Family Friendly Events for December - All Around Town
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 Sensory
Friendly Movies
Saturday
December 12, 10:00 a.m.
The Princess and the Frog
Solon Cinemas
Saturday December 12th,
10:00 am
The Princess and the Frog
AMC Ridge Park Square, Brooklyn
Saturday, December 19th, 10:00 am
Elf
AMC Ridge Park Square, Brooklyn
FREE
Admission and free popcorn and drink
High 5 Club Chanamas Party
-ADULT
(Christmas and Chanukah
Celebration)
Friday, December 11, 6:00-9:00pm
Beachwood Community Center
25225 Fairmount Blvd. Beachwood, OH
Edie Solomon at 216-371-2328
Winter Fantasy Dance - Socialbilities -ADULT
Friday December 11, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
1275 Sweitzer Ave., Akron
Contact Nancy at 330-762-9755
by Dec 4th
Friendship Circle - Jewish Families
Sunday December 13
Chanukah Family Fun Day Featuring COSI on wheels at the Mandel Jewish Community Center. Co-sponsored by the USOD. $5 flyer info
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Blue Ribbon Holiday
Party-TEEN
Teen and adults w/
disabilities ages 12 and over
December 18, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Solon Community Center -- Banquet room
Contact Kimberly English
440-248-5747 ext.2114 by December 16
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Beyond Our Boundaries
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Recreation Programming for Adults with DD
Beyond
Our Boundaries is a recreation service company for adults with
Developmental Disabilities (DD). Beyond our Boundaries offers trips to
fun community locations, in hopes of bringing people with DD together
for friendships, and to set the stage for creating an active, social
life. Winter - flyer
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"My Kid Has More Chromosomes Than Yours!":
The
Journey to Resilience and Hope in Parenting a Child with Down Syndrome
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Nicole Springer, Ph.D., Texas Tech University and
Briana Nelson Goff, Ph.D., Kansas State University, both parents of children
with Down syndrome.
Questions will explore the journey to resilience and
hope experienced by families with a child with Down Syndrome (DS). This
research will identify the key resilience factors in families who have
successfully navigated this difficult transition and provide important
information and resources for families facing this journey in the future.
Resilience Survey
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Adapted Programming- Winter 2009
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 Lake Metro Parks
Life Center Plus - flyer
Mayfield Heights
SPLASH Swim, Persevere, Learn, Achieve, Have Fun! Flyer
Adaptive Swimming at Kent - Spring Flyer
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Looking for Teens & Young AdultS
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Step Forward & Be Heard
The Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH)
is looking for young people ages 16-26 to join their Young Adult Advisory
Council. This group meets once every three months, at the Visiting Nurse
Association, 2500 East 22nd Street, Cleveland 44115, to talk about
transition challenges they encounter. The group is lead by Dr. James Bryant,
Medical Director, BCMH, and Kathy Bachmann, Parent Consultant, BCMH. BCMH
reimburses participants' mileage and also pays a stipend. For more information
contact Kathy at 614/752-2930.
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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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