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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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Baby & Tot Playgroups - Eastside TONIGHT!
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 Join other moms, dads, babies & small siblings for a fun time to
hang out, chat & play.
Grandparents are welcome!!!!
Eastside - Wednesday March 17, 6:00 pm
Achievement Centers for Children
4255 Northfield Road Highland Hills, 44128
-mapquest
for info or to rsvp please contact: lauriek@usod.org
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Special Needs Financial Planning Seminar
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Michael Carter Group
Thursday, March 18th 7:00pm
The financial puzzle can be confusing for families supporting a loved
one with special needs. Join The Michael Carter Financial Group and USOD
to make sure you have all the important pieces, and learn how to put
them all together.
This free educational seminar for families of individuals with special
needs will help you prepare for the financial well being of your special
needs loved ones. We will discuss issues such as: Letters of Intent,
Special Needs Trusts, protecting assets and government benefits.
It is never too early to begin planning for your family's financial
future. We look forward to presenting an evening of education and
resources to help you get started.
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ONLY A HANDFUL LEFT! Do you have yours?
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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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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! |
Managing Risky Behavior in Teens
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Thursday,
April 8, 2010, 7:30 pm
Bellefaire JCB, Wuliger Center
22001 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights, Ohio
7:30p.m. - 9:00p.m.
Seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
CEU credits available - more information click here
Featured speakers:
Michael
Griffith - Principal, Shaker Heights High School
Kenya L. Harrington - Principal, Charles F. Brush High School
Robert Hardis - Principal, Beachwood High School
Kim Wheeler - Moderator
Your Teen Magazine is a fabulous & informative Cleveland Magazine presenting relevant & inspiring topics on Our Teens!
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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: 1st class only at the Cleveland Clinic Community Center in Beachwood.
Register Online - Spring Pilot Program
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USOD Spring Math Conference for Educators & Parents
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April 19th & 20th
Online Registration - click here
DeAnna Horstmeier, an experienced educator, was inspired to develop a
program (and consequently a book) for teaching math skills by
observing the difficulty her adult son with Down syndrome and his
roommates had in applying math skills to everyday life. Its success
lies in capitalizing on the visual learning strengths of these learners
and using manipulative, games and activities to teach and maintain
motivation for learning math. Topics will include:
*** Number Sense & Recognition *** Calculator Skills
Recognizing & Writing Numerals *** Counting
Time *** Measurements
Place Value *** Addition & Subtraction
Money *** Percents
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Monday, April 19, 2010 6:00 - 9:00pm Independence Civic
Center, 6363 Selig Dr, Independence - mapquest
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 9:00 am-12:00pm
$20 professionals, $5 USOD parents (CEU's Pending)
Her books will be available for pre-order at a $10 discount!
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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 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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"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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Moscow woman finds fame as spokeswoman for Down syndrome
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stacy brown, March 14, 2010
Sara Wolff once told her grandmother she'd be famous.
Her grandmother encouraged her but still reminded Ms. Wolff of the
pitfalls of fame.
One of those pitfalls could be a simple error, her grandmother would
tell her. As the spokeswoman for National Down Syndrome Society, Ms.
Wolff has experienced one of those errors.
The Moscow resident is featured in advertisements in Allure, Glamour,
Vogue and other national magazines and has been the primary speaker at
events from Scranton to Washington. read on
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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!
