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Photo of the Week
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for more photos - gallery
send new photos to
photos@usod.org
ToysRUs Casting Call for the
2010 Differently Abled Kids Brochure
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
Katherine E. Schubert
Lisa G. Trifiletti
Ken Vinikoff
Brian J. Weiss, DPM
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ALMOST SOLD OUT! Order Your Tickets TODAY!
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A Great Evening with the Up Side of Downs Raffle
Saturday, March 27, 2010
~ $4,000 Main Board Prize ~
~ Side Board & Raffle Sales Begin 6:00 p.m. ~
~ Wide Variety of Chinese Auction Baskets ~
~ Cocktails & Hors D'oeuvres ~
~ Extensive Buffet w/Carving Station ~
~ Entertainment Provided by Marino Brothers ~ 
Order Your Tickets On-line Today -
Click Here for 2010 USOD Reverse Raffle Tickets!
Our Chinese Basket Donors Make it All Possible! Take a peak at this year's list so far. Please support our Donors & give them a huge THANK YOU! RR Donor List as of 3-11-10
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Mom's Night Out - Medina & Valley View
Take Some Time To Meet Other Great Moms
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 Medina, Thursday 3/11 7pm
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!
Coffee on the USOD!
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 899 N. Court Street, Medina, Starbucks, 897 N. Court Street, Medina
rsvp to Jamie at 330-220-1045
Valley View, Friday 3/19 7pmIt'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 Restaurant8111 Rockside Rd. Valley View, OH - mapquestrsvp to laura@usod.org
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A Rose for Christi
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Read an article and watch an amazing video about the love story of a couple with
Down syndrome who recently married. Congratulations and
best wishes for a wonderful life together!
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Young Adult St. Patrick's Day Dance
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 Friday, March 12, 7:00 pm
Another way to "go green!" Teens and young adults are invited to wear something green and dance the night away. Snacks provided.
Cost: $6 per person plus donation of a canned good
Fellowship United Church of Christ
30040 Ridge Road, Wickliffe, OH 44092 - mapquest to rsvp call Rae Kinnaird at 440-944-8852
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March for the USOD in the Akron St. Patrick's Day Parade
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 Saturday, March 13th noon
March together with USOD in the Akron St. Patricks Day Parade
to celebrate & share! St. Patrick's Parade to be held on Saturday,
March 13, 2010 at 12:00 Noon on South Main St. in downtown Akron, with
an after parade party full of great food, music & Irish Dancing.
Please email USOD parent Kay Schubert or call at (330) 256-3103 for more details.
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Latest Issue of a Great magazine
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Click Here |
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USOD Bowling Buddies! This Sunday
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 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:
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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Parent Education Series - Jennifer Smith
Getting Back to the Basics
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 Monday, March 15th 7:00 pm
Jennifer Smith, Behavior and Curriculum Intervention Specialist for the
CCBDD, talks about learning to recognize the foundation on which
healthy parenting is based. Participants will have the opportunity to
learn about solid parenting techniques for all family members including
those who may present special areas of concern. The complexities of
life can cloud our ability to remember how to take simple steps towards
addressing our children's needs. This class focuses on gaining the
skills necessary to parent with confidence and balance. Free. Cleveland Clinic Community Room
5001 Rockside Road, Independence Oh - mapquest
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Shining Diamonds Parent Group
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 Tuesday, March 16th 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-faceted shining diamond is unique, supporting
our loved one has led us to a common place. We have much to teach each
other!
This week's topic is on How
I can support my multi-faceted family member to become more independent.
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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Need USOD Parents for Focus Groups on Starting a Down Syndrome Clinic at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
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USOD & Rainbow Babies Partnership
Monday, March 29, 2010
The past several months have been very exciting with discussions between the USOD & Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital regarding the development of a comprehensive Down syndrome clinic. We need to structure several focus groups of USOD parents to meet with the doctors & staff involved, so that our communities needs can be met with the highest level of quality & compassionate care. The primary physicians involved are Drs. Holan, Hoyen & Roizen. The day is Monday, March 29, 2010 for three time slots: 11:00 Individuals with Complex Needs12:00 Children Ages Birth to 6 1:00 Ages 7 & upWe need your support & priceless information to help create a resource for our entire community. Please email robin@usod.org if you are interested & available to in participate and can ensure that you have proper childcare available. We have 6 slots for each timegroup so please rsvp as soon as possible. Thanks for stepping forward to help drive the future! |
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How do I get Extended School Year services for my child?
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Ohio Legal Rights Service
Extended school year (ESY) services are special education and related services that are provided by the school district beyond the traditional school year, usually during the summer. Your school district should provide ESY services to a child with disabilities if the services are necessary for the child to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
Your child does not have to lose skills in order to qualify for ESY services. The school district can provide ESY in a variety of ways but the services must be provided at no cost to parents. The decision about ESY eligibility is made by your
child's IEP team. A child who has received ESY services in a previous year is not automatically entitled to those services the following year. Although ESY services may be difficult to get, the suggestions below can help you. read on....
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2010 USOD Annual Meeting - Learn, Link & Laugh
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 Tuesday, April 13, 2010 7:00 pm
With
great excitement the USOD Board of Directors and staff wishes to invite
our community to the 2010 Annual Meeting on This will be a free wine & dessert sampling and promises to be a
great night where everyone can LEARN about the exciting goals, 2009 performance and updates for the USOD and our community, LINK with friends, both old and new, and LAUGH to the inspirational comedian and musician Dan Kulp. YOU MUST BE OVER 21 TO ATTEND.
An evening for parents, grandparents, siblings, self-advocates, and extended family and friends of people with Down syndrome!
Dan Kulp will share his childhood story from the 1970's as a sibling
of four brothers and sisters who have Down syndrome, three of whom were
adopted. Dan will also share his adult experiences in raising two
children, Simon & Danielle, who were both adopted from China and
both have Down syndrome. Through humorous and profound stories, Dan
shares lessons learned from his upbringing about tolerance for the
disabled, acceptance of those who are "different" and the joy of
adoption.
This event is free. Seating is limited so please reserve your seat & glass of wine today! Register Today
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Reading & Math Enrichment Support
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 4 Part Parent Pilot Series
Up Side of Downs
is excited to offer a 4 part parent training series for a
hands-on enrichment program for reading and math. The Learning Program is
based on over 30 years of research that has been conducted in England (www.downsed.org). register today
There will be four sessions
which will take place on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm and last
approximately 1.5 hours. The cost for the series is $40 which includes all
materials. Attendance at all four sessions is mandatory.
Dates are as follows:
April 14 May 5
May 26 June 14
For more information, contact Gina Mitchner, USOD education coordinator at gina@usod.org
Location: TBD - will let you know as soon as possible
Register Online - Spring Pilot Program
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Outdoor Family Outing
From Sunlight to Syrup: A History of Maple Sugaring
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We all love maple syrup on our pancakes, but where exactly does this
sticky stuff come from? Join Naturalist Bethany Majeski for a unique,
hands-on experience where we'll learn all about the cultural and
natural history of maple syrup. Journey a half-mile trail through the
"sugarbush" and see sap getting collected, then warm up in the sugar
shack and sample some fresh maple syrup! This hour-long program will
meet outdoors at the Maple Grove Picnic Area (appromimately 1/2 mile
south of Rocky River Nature Center on Valley Pkwy.) Dress for the
weather! Rocky River Nature Center 24000 Valley Parkway North Olmsted, OH 44070 mapquest |
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Peak Potential Therapy - Now Offering Sibs Support
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 Sunday, March 14th at 3:00, free
Starting Sunday, March 14th, we will be hosting our first
ever SIBs Support Group in addition with our regular Parent Support
Group with childcare (respite) at our therapy center in Twinsburg.
Through this arrangement, parents will be able to attend a meeting and
have peace of mind that their child is happy in a safe environment.
This group is meant to give parents a small break from their daily
routines, to get out, to ask questions, to learn about new treatments
and research, and to connect with other parents.
Please RSVP for SIBs & if you need Respite Care. Info & Online Registration Form
Respite care is offered, but you must register in advance. It is 5$, but USOD will be subsidizing the cost so it is no charge for USOD families. Email Holly Reimann or call 267-259-6461 to reserve your spot. |
World Down Syndrome Day - March 21, 2010
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Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day
Down Syndrome International (DSI) has officially earmarked
21 March as World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). The date was chosen
to signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication
(trisomy) of the 21st chromosome and is used synonymously
with Down syndrome. 1. Join the 21 Days of 21 Quotes by 21 People with Trisomy 21 in
Celebration of World Down Syndrome Day
Sign up for the 21 Days email list so that you
get the quote of each day from individuals with Down syndrome from March 1 to
21 2010. Check the box at the bottom of the list that says "21 Quotes for 21
Days." - click here
Quote 10 of 21,
March 10, 2010 Today's Quote
"We...
ought to love... one another"
Eric Carter
Age: 6
1/2 years
Saying and
signing his Bible Verse at Awana Club at Church.
He remembers
his verses longer than may of his typical peers.
 4. Host a Dress Down for Down Syndrome Day (on any day!) A great way to promote awareness and raise funds for USOD. See info here in this newsletter or contact the USOD office.
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"Sibling Issues: Parenting Brothers and Sisters
of Siblings With Special Needs"
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Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
Sign-In: 6:15 PM to 6:30 PM
Program: 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Shaker Family Center
19824 Sussex Road, Shaker Heights
-FREE CHILDCARE PROVIDED BUT SPACE IS LIMITED-
-*Registration IS required, BY March 18th-
Debi Donelan, Developmental Specialist with the Achievement Centers for Children and the sister of an adult with special needs, will lead a discussion about the concerns and opportunities frequently experienced by brothers and sisters of siblings with special needs. Debi will share her experience in her own family as well as talk about what researchers, clinicians and other siblings say about growing up in a family with special needs. Parents will also have an opportunity to share what they've observed in their families. Parents will learn about strategies for helping siblings deal with their concerns as well as maximize the positives in developmentally appropriate ways.To register, send an email to sfc05@sbcglobal.net, or call Family connections at 216-921-2023.
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Adaptive Swimming & Basketball Programs
JCC of Beachwood
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Starting April for 8 Week Sessions Basketball & Swimming
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Thinking of Summer Yet?
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 SUMMER ACTIVITIES & ACTION
1) Summer Directory from the 2010 Summer & Beyond Conference last week - Directory
2) From Peak Potential Therapy
SMILE Summer Camp - Therapeutic, Community Based Day-Camp
Camp Sunshine - Recreational, Center Based Day-Camp http://www.peakpotentialtherapy.com/sunshine.html
Camp ABC™ - Social Developmental Play Skills Camp for Pre-Schooler http://www.peakpotentialtherapy.com/campABC.html
3) Camp Paradise - Medina County
4) Achievement Centers for Children - Camp Cheerful, Summer Camp Programs for Children and Adults with Disabilities
5) Disney World & Travel Mouse Aide at Walt Disney World - fun summer tips for travel
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Adult Transition Planning Seminar - Three Part Series
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Every family has many questions about their children's future, but they're of even greater importance for parents whose sons and daughters have a developmental disability. Whether your son or daughter is a child or an adult, it's time NOW to plan for the future.
· Public-Private Partnerships · Education · · Income Tax Answers · Legal Documents · · Funding and Management · Eligibility Questions · · Waiting List · Waivers · Reviewing Your Existing Plan · Spring 2010
Rocky River Adult Activities Center, 20120 Detroit Road 1490 East 191st Street, Wed., April 14, 21 & 28, 2010
Fall 2010
Euclid Adult Activities, 1490 East 191st Street Wednesdays, Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and 13
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OCALI - Literacy Workshop in Valley View, Ohio
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New Book By USOD Parent Pamela Crouse
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 Order Yours Today!
A wonderful book with the message that we all want to live & share each day. Click here to order yours & also check out her other book Delightfully Downs with the beautiful photography of our Cleveland kids.
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TapToTak
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 Make that Nintendo Useful!
TapToTalk is a portable,
customizable, affordable, socially acceptable communication solution for
non-verbal children with autism, apraxia, Down Syndrome, or any other speech
disorder.
The TapToTalk Nintendo App
turns a Nintendo DS, DSi or DS Lite into an augmentative and alternative
communication (AAC) device. Learn more here.
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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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The 2010 Reverse Raffle Committee has done a marvelous job of securing nearly 200 donations from local and national companies along with many or our USOD families & friends. They are working tirelessly for this event to be such a success. THANK YOU!
