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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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Grandparents Group!
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 February 1, 2010 10:00am
Get together for great
conversation, support & friends. USOD will bring coffee & pastries. Free.
Cleveland Clinic Community Room B
5001 Rockside Road, Indpendence, OH 44131 - mapquest
rsvp to Gay Mcveigh - jim6276@windstream.net
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Baby & Tot Playgroups - Strongsville
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 February 1, 2010 6:30 pm
Join other moms, dads, babies & small siblings for a fun time to
hang out, chat & play.
Grandparents are welcome!!!!
Achievement Centers for Children
15000 Cheerful Lane
Strongsville, Ohio 44136-5420
-mapquest
for info or to rsvp please contact: dmarks@usod.org
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Young Adult Karaoke Night
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 Wednesday, February 3, 2010 7:00pm
Toth's Place for Young Adults
6966 Heisley Road, Mentor, OH (behind Speedway Gas Station and Goodwill, by Heavenly Ham) $5 per person w/dinner
For more info or to rsvp call Rae Kinnaird at (440) 944-8852
USOD Sponsored Karaoke is the first Wednesday each month
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Beyond Our Boundaries
"All Dressed Up & Some Place To Go"
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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. Check out their February Calendar & Website! Also, the 2010 trips have been announced. www.beyondourboundaries.com
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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.
Comming UP:
- USOD Programming Committee Meeting to help plan what YOU want to see happen for your family & community. Wed. Feb. 3rd @ 7:30 pm USOD office. please rsvp@usod.org
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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USOD Bowling Buddies!
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Sunday, February 14, 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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LEAP - Youth Advocacy Group (14-24 years old) - TONIGHT
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 Young People with Disabilities Making a Difference!
Topic: Updates & Next
Steps - RTA Cuts, School Closings & Legislation with City Council. Learn what's happening in
YOUR Community, How it affects YOU & what YOU can do about it!
Thursday, January 28th,
2010 3:30-5:00pm
United Cerebral Palsy located at 10011
Euclid Avenue
Please RSVP to
Christian Borrero, Youth Advocacy Peer Coordinator at cborrero@leapinfo.org or by calling
Beth Thompson, Co-Facilitator at 216-696-2716 ext 132
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The
Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children - TONIGHT
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Thursday, Jan 28th 6:30 pm
This Training developed by The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland will
Cover an Overview of the State and Federal Laws that Govern Education in "Ohio. How these laws pertain to discipline in
both Regular and Special Education.
The Additional Rights and Protections
Afforded to Special Education Students.
What Advocates for Families with Children
with Disabilities should know to ensure that their rights are being protected.
Will Cover Parental Rights During the
Various Phases of the Special Education Process or Disciplinary Issues.
details - click here
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Don't miss the next Sensory Friendly Film!
The Tooth Fairy
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 February 6, 2010 10 am
AMC Entertainment (AMC) has teamed up to bring
families affected with disabilities a special
opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting
environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films"
program.
AMC Ridge Park Square 8
4788 Ridge Rd., Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 - mapquest
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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  We are asking for photos from our families to use with this year's event. Please send up to three photos to photos@usod.org
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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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Research on Phonological Awareness
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My name is Erin Rose. I am a Senior
Communication Sciences and Disorders major at The College of Wooster. I am
conducting research for my Senior Independent Study project. I am researching
phonological awareness in both readers and non-readers who have Down syndrome.
Allowing your student to participate will help me to collect the data needed to
support my research. I will be coordinating my efforts with your student's
teacher in order to allow for participation during the school day, unless you request
an alternate time. Please E-mail Erin
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VIP SPECIAL NEEDS SOCCER (TWINSBURG) STILL
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
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 The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
Very Important Player (VIP) program provides a quality soccer experience for
children whose physical or mental disabilities prevent them from successful
participation on mainstream teams. We will be
participating through Twinsburg AYSO and the games will be played at Pinnacle
Sports (formerly the Edge) on Rt. 82 in Twinsburg every Saturday from Feb.
27-April 10.
The registration fee is
$25 and includes uniform (shirt, shorts and socks), seven weeks of indoor
soccer, awards ceremony and FUN! Registration forms are available online
at www.twinsburgsoccer.com. Please make checks payable to "AYSO #1026".
Return the form and fee
to:
VIP Soccer, 4160 Baird Rd., Stow, OH 44224
Please contact Scotte Rorabaugh at 440-479-1176 or scotte@noga.org.
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Ohio Youth Leadership Forum!
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 The
Ohio Youth Leadership Forum is a four day leadership training program
for 11th and 12th grade high school students with disabilities. Many
young people with disabilities now have more options and more
challenges than at any other time in our nation's history. This forum
is geared to prepare them to take advantage of the unprecedented
opportunities and to fully develop as constructive, contributing
members of our society.
For more information click here & Apply Today!
Deadline February 12th.
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Nick's Knights Special Needs Basketball Clinic
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February 14, 2010
The 1st
Annual Nick's Knights Special Needs Basketball Clinic on Sunday, February 14th,
2010 at St. Paschal Baylon (Jette Gym).
This will be a fun clinic in which each special needs kid will be paired up
with a St. Paschal Baylon 8th grade basketball player. It is
targeted towards both boys and girls grades 3 - 8, but we do welcome special
needs kids of any age who you think would enjoy this event. Please
RSVP by Monday, February 1st to Tim.Salcer@chattem.com
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* Clothing * Clothing * Clothing * Clothing * Clothing *
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 Measure Once, Help Twice as Much!
Two Surveys
We at Downs Designs understand the difficulty
of finding clothes that fit a person with Down syndrome due to
distinguishing physical characteristics that relate to proportion. At
Downs Designs, we are designing jeans specifically tailored to fit the
body shape of a person with Down syndrome.
Downs Designs is offering a 10% discount on your first purchase of a
pair of our jeans as soon as they become available if you simply fill
out our "Down Sizing" Research Form.
The data collected through this form will allow us to further tailor
our jeans (and eventually a full line of clothing) to better fit the
needs of our clients with Down syndrome.
My
name is Karen Bowersox and I have a 5-year-old granddaughter with Down
syndrome. (Maddie is here in Cleveland) After watching my daughter struggle to find clothes that fit
her I wondered what I could do to help.
Research
proved there was nothing available so I have created a company called
Downs Designs. I am in the process of designing jeans for all ages.
Downs Designs will eventually grow into a full line of clothing. Your input and suggestions are so important as we develop this new concept in clothing. Downs Designs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Our friends at the Down
Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati are interested in learning more
about your experiences in finding suitable clothing for your loved one with
Down syndrome. Please take a moment to complete their nationwide survey!
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Upcoming Free Webinars - IEP & Parent Education
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 Ohio Coalition for the Educations of Children with Disabilities - website click here
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Music & Movement Classes
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 February 2010
Rock-A-Bye-Babies
At Forest Hill Center, Fridays 9:15-9:45
This group is designed to provide a gentle first
music experience for caregivers and their young child, up to 12 months. A combination of wiggles, tickles, bounces and
songs will be used. Exposure to a variety of music and instruments will also be
presented.
Music
& Movement
At Forest Hill Center, Fridays 10 - 10:40
At Family Connections (Sussex),
Fridays 11:45 - 12:25
At Green Road Center, Tuesdays 9 - 9:40
This group will provide opportunities for
caregivers and their child, ages 12
months- 3 years, to explore music and movement through the use of rhymes,
chants, songs, instruments, finger plays and movement.
Friday Groups: Feb 12th - March 26th
Tuesday Group: Feb 9th - March 23rd
All participants must call to pre-register
Forest Hill: 216-761-3381
Family Connections at Shaker
Family Center:
216-921-2023
Green Road Center: 216-579-2768
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Parent Training Modules
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Emotional & Behavioral Supports for Children
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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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Thinking About Summer Yet?
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Recreation Fair for families of children with disabilities
Mark your calendar for Saturday February 27th! Our regional special education center, State
Support Team 3, will be hosting the Annual Recreation Fair for families of
children with disabilities from 10:00 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. at the St. Michael's Woodside Party Center,
5025 East Mill Road in Broadview Heights, just off the I-77 and Wallings Road
Exit.
With summer just
around the corner, parents are beginning to plan activities for their
children. This familiar task is often a
little more challenging for families of children with disabilities.
Representatives from area camps and organizations will be available to answer
questions and share information. Families are encouraged to browse the
information tables and pick up their FREE copy of the "2010
Recreation Directory."
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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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