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Photo of the Week
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for more photos - gallery
send new photos to
photos@usod.org |
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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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Only 4 Days To Go!
Help Feature USOD in PEOPLE Magazine
& Develop Our First Playroom
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Currently We Are Barely Hanging In 4th Place!
(we need to stay in the top five)
Each Day Vote, Post & Share!
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.
· GO TO http://apps.facebook.com/brightfuture/
· It will make you LOG IN to your facebook account
· FIND for the group The Up Side of Downs
· Please vote once EACH DAY through January 17th.
· POST
to your wall & SHARE with your friends & family
Thank you for helping the USOD celebrate life with Down syndrome |
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Shining Diamonds Parent Group - New
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 Tuesday, January 19th 7:00 pm
We invite you to join other parents, grandparents, and caregivers of
children and adults with Down syndrome and an alphabet soup of complex
needs. While each multi-facted shining diamond is unique, supporting
our loved one has led us to a common place. We have much to teach each
other!
Only by talking to each other, comparing notes,
and laughing are we able to help our carefully sculpted
diamonds truly shine and show off their "bling". free
Cleveland Clinic Community Room A 5001 Rockside Road Independence, OH 44131 - mapquestTo rsvp or for more information contact Sue GroszekWonderful article written by Sue Groszek in the winter edition of the USOD paper newsletter page 4 - read on
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Stepping Forward to Help USOD
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 USOD Volunteer Site Updated!
We have lots of opportunities throughout the year to help USOD and have fun at the same time!
We need volunteers to step forward & sign up to host playgroups & lectures, make events spectacular and join committees to help direct & guide both the USOD and our vibrant community.
This Week:
- Please gather email links or contacts for photo submissions to local community papers eg: Suntimes or any smaller papers. email any of them to robin
For more information please visit the USOD Volunteer Page to register, contact the office at 216-464-8763 or info@usod.org
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SAVE THE DATE - March 27, 2010
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A Great Evening with the Up Side of Downs Raffle~ $4,000 Main Board Prize ~
~ Side Board & Raffle Sales Begin 6:30 p.m. ~
~ Additional Gift Baskets and Auction items ~
~ Cocktails & Hors D'oeuvres ~
~ Extensive Hot & Cold Buffet w/Carving Station ~ Tickets will be available for purchase early February!Monetary contributions, gift items and certificates for prizes & services are what make this
event such a success. Please be creative and help us network & acquire great donations. For more information and assistance please contact Sheila Raia
- 2010 Donation Form
Volunteers are needed for the Reverse Raffle Committee & for the Night of the Event - USOD Volunteer Signup!
Pictures & Raffle Packages from the 2009 USOD Raffle Help Support our Kids, Families & Community Providers!
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Drawings of USOD Community Assessment Survey Participants!
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 Ebony Pitts &
Kris
Dennison
- Gift Cards to Wal-Mart
Sharon
Peerless & Barb Kimble
Specialty Aveda Products from Ladies & Gentleman Solon
Michelle
Bennett - Woodbine Books & fun USOD goodies
Bonnie Rich - Pair of Tickets to enjoy & test their luck at the 2010 USOD Reverse Raffle
Currently the survey is being assessed and focus groups are the next phase of research.
Great things from a Great Community!
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Resolutions for the New Year!
Staying on Top of Therapies
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By Ann Haig Wheeler -
Down Syndrome Centre
I've never been one for resolutions for the New Year, mainly because
I don't want to suffer the guilt the following week when I bail out for
some very good reason. But I do think that it is inevitable that we
think about our lives and the aspects that we would like to change.
Invariably, many families of a young child with Down syndrome vow to
stay on top of the "therapies" and different intervention endeavours.
This
can be difficult, particularly when there is a list of "skill
deficits" and intervention targets. Take any typically-developing
person, any age, and a therapist could outline a host of areas
requiring work. As I review my own resolution to walk more, I shiver
at the thought of what a physical therapist would say to me upon
examination. A child with a known developmental disability is going to
have similar lists, and more of them. With this in mind I wanted to
share some advice I have given to many parents for keeping yourself
organised and the guilt at bay. read on
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Ladies Night Out - Medina
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 Thursday, January 14, 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. The
coffee's on USOD!
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 899 N. Court Street, Medina
Starbucks, 897 N. Court Street, Medina - mapquest
Please rsvp to Jamie Varga
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Ladies Night Out - Valley View
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Friday, January 15 7:00 pm
It's YOU time! Join us the third Friday of each month as we wind down
the week at Yours Truly sharing stories, smiles, and appetizers
courtesy of USOD! Give yourself a break from cooking and save room for
dinner, too.
We know it can be a little uncomfortable to meet new people. Feel free
to bring a friend for support. We want you to come...and to come back! Hope to see you there!
Yours Truly Restaurant
8111 Rockside Rd. Valley View, OH - mapquest
Please rsvp to Laura Skwarski
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Research Study In Pittsburgh -
Compensation & Travel Expenses from Clevleand
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More info - click here
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Potty Training - Article & Education Seminar
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 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!Monday, January 18 7:00 pm
Jennifer Smith, Behavior Curriculum Specialist for CCBDD, returns for a
second time to present her much-requested topic, "It's Time To Go!
Understanding Your Child's Needs While Teaching Them To Use The
Bathroom."
Participants will receive information on toilet training readiness,
strategies for success,visual supports, family participation, and
coping strategies. This lecture will address toilet training needs
across a wide range of ages and challenges. Learn more about Jennifer Smith. freeCleveland Clinic Beachwood, Conference Room D 26900 Cedar Road, Beachwood, OH 44122 - mapquestrsvp@usod.org
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Baby & Toddler Group - Highland Hills
*** New Day & Time ****
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 Wednesday, January 20 @6:30 pm
Join other moms, dads, babies & small siblings for a fun time to
hang out, chat & play.
Free.
Grandparents & siblings are welcome!!!!
Achievement Centers for Children
4255 Northfield Road Highland Hills, 44128 - mapquest
rsvp to usod office or 216-464-8763 or
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USOD Bowling Buddies!
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 Sunday, January 24, 2:00 pm
Sunday Bowling is back!
Let's celebrate just a few weeks of winter to go! We have reserved
four lanes at Freeway Lanes in Solon. All bowlers are asked to wear
their Buddy Walk shirts if they have them. What better way to spend a
cold Sunday afternoon than with your Bowling Buddies!
Mark your calendar for 2-4pm on the following dates:
Feb. 14 and 28th
March 14 and 28
April 11 and 25th
Price: Individuals with Ds are free. All others pay $3.95 per game, all with complementary shoes.
Freeway Lanes
33185 Bainbridge Road Solon, OH 44139 - mapquest
Please rsvp to USOD office
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Meet the family of Maddy Curtis from American Idol.
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Maddy is one of 12 children in her family and some of her siblings have
Down Syndrome. She has often put her family before herself but Idol was
her time to shine. Her version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" moved
the judges and got her unanimously voted into the Hollywood round. check it out
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Join the National Down Syndrome Society for the Buddy WalkŪ on Washington
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February 24th and 25th, 2010
Government Affairs Committee (GAC) leaders, affiliate leaders in
government relations, seasoned self-advocates and others will come
together to "walk" right into the offices of their elected officials! Click here to learn more.
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FREE Health Club Membership & Fitness Programming for 3 Months for Adults in Cuyahoga County
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 go!Fit Greater Cleveland Challenge
Starting January 1, 2010, the go!FIT program will provide three months
of free access to fitness and nutrition programs to adult Cuyahoga
County residents, including free access to fitness facilities, weight
management programs and educational events.
Go to the Go!Fit website for full details
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Nutrition-Obesity Prevention
Medina County Parent Advisory Group
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 6:30pm
Presentor: Sharon Jaeger, RD
From the Medina County Health Department
Medina University Center Westfield Room
6300 Technology Lane Medina, OH 44256
Sharon will share ideas on how to help our children
(adult and youth) follow a healthy lifestyle.
Join us for an opportunity to learn, share ideas and
network. The group is designed to provide parents
and families with the information they need to help
navigate the systems that provide services for their
family members with developmental disabilities.
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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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