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Photo of the Week
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for more photos - RR Gallery
send new photos to
photos@usod.org
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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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The Up Side of Downs is Creating a
Down Syndrome Resource Center in Northeast Ohio
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 Our First Home!
It is so exciting to announce that the Up Side of Downs' Board this past week approved the acquisition of space to create the first Down Syndrome Resource Center in Northeast Ohio. The site is located on Rockside Road in Independence, Ohio. Over the next several months the new Center will be prepared and organized with a target opening of the center after the Northeast Ohio Buddy Walk is completed on August 21, 2010.
Over the next several weeks we will be asking for help in networking for resources, donations & skills to create a wonderful place to support, share & serve our families. We were thrilled & thankful this week to accept an amazing donation of the entire office suite of furniture from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, through USOD board member & parent Debbie Marks. Our current hunt right now is for a donation of carpet with installation for about 1700 sq. ft and for professional painting services. So if you know of a resource please contact the office.
We are so grateful to the USOD Board, our families and contributors for making this historic step possible. Together we are able to accomplish so much to celebrate & support life with Down syndrome in Northeast Ohio.
Please contact the office if you have any ideas, resources or just want to roll up your sleeves and get dirty!
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Buddy Walk Sponsorships
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Saturday, August 21, 2010
We Need Help Getting the Word Out & the Paperwork In
A primary source of financial support for the Up Side of Downs' annual
programming is through Buddy Walk corporate & private sponsorships. We need to pump up the volume since the deadline, June 1, is fast
approaching for a sponsor's name & logo to be included in the
printed brochure & media packages.
Our goal this year is to welcome 21 new and/or increasing sponsors to the 2010 Northeast Ohio Buddy Walk. So far we are excited to have new commitments from:
123 Gluten Free
Hickman & Lowder Co., L.P.A
Nestle Professional
Parker Hanifin
Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
Snyder's of Hanover
Sports Time Ohio
Traditions Health Care
Please help us grow this list we're a 1/3 of the way there!
Click here for the 2010 NEO Buddy Walk Sponsorship Packet Also, please contact Julie Goldstein for additional information, suggestions or leads at 216-464-USOD
(8763) or julie@usod.org
Thank you in advance
for your continued support.
P.S. - Buddy Walk registration will
be on-line mid June
The next Buddy Walk Committee meeting
is Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 6:30 pm Cleveland Clinic Community Room, 5001 Rockside Road, Independence.
We need help in all shapes &
sizes and none is too small, so please contact the USOD office if
you are interested in supporting & celebrating one of our best,
biggest & brightest days of the year!
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We Need Water Station Volunteers
May 16, 2010
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Come out to cheer & celebrate with Team USOD at the Rite Aid Marathon this Sunday in Downtown Cleveland. We are assigned water station #3 (the 4.5 mile mark) and need a few more volunteers to join us bright & early at 6:45 am. Any ages.... 2572 Scranton Road, Tremont
(in front of Tap House Restaurant)
here is the mapquest
link
To Date Team USOD has raised $635, please consider donating and supporting the team! 2010 Team USOD Rite Aid
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Shining Diamonds Group
Balancing Complex Needs with Family Needs
aka Surviving the Diamond World
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|  Tuesday, May 18, 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
Appetizers on the USOD! ***New Location***Mulligans Pub &
Grille 6131 Highland Rd. Highland
Heights, Ohio 44143 - mapquestContact: RSVP
to Sue Groszek at 440-552-9503 or
suegroszek@roadrunner.com |
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Baby & Tot Playgroups - Eastside, Westlake & Medina
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 Join other moms, dads, babies & small siblings for a fun time to
hang out, chat & play.
Grandparents are welcome!!!!
Westlake - Monday May 17, 6:30 pm
Achievement Centers for Children
24211 Center Ridge Road Westlake, OH 44145
- mapquest
for info or to rsvp please contact: email Debbie
Medina - Monday, May 17, 6:30 pm
Medina County Achievement Center
4691 Windfall Rd. Medina, OH, 44256 - mapquest
for info or rsvp please contact: email Maria or 440-845-4965
Eastside - Wednesday May 19, 6:30 pm
Preston's Hope Playground - website
26001 South Woodland
Rd, Beachwood, OH -mapquest
Playgroup will be cancelled in the event of rain. Check for updates on
Facebook and the USOD Family Network.
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April Watkins - Special Hands Artists
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 Launches First Website
Natural Handmade Soap made with Love!
Special Hands Artists brings the simple soothing essence
of natural handmade soap and herbal bath products into your hectic
life. They are molded in small batches using the finest quality natural
ingredients. Our soaps contain vegetable glycerin base infused with
goats milk, honey, botanical scents and pure essential oils. Each unique
soap is hand molded and decorated by artist April. All of our paints
and micas are cosmetic grade. Containing no harsh chemicals, they are
healthy and eco-friendly, made with love to sooth your skin and soul.
Our Beginnings...
Special Hands Artist was a dream of artist and entrepreneur
with Down syndrome. Naturally creative, but with limited employment
opportunity, she decided to take advantage of her talents and and sell
her work. Soon she developed her own line of exceptional soap and
herbal bath products. She also creates custom soaps for very special
occasions. April Watkins is amazing!
Check out her website today & please support HER company! http://www.specialhandsartists.com
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USOD Parent Speaker Series - CANCELLATION
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 Tuesday, May 17, 2010 7:00 pmWe regret that the Parent Speakers Series has been cancelled. Updates regarding a new date for "Food Glorious
Food!" will be posted on our Web site and Family Network as soon as
details are available. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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Transitioning to Preschool Workshop
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 Wed., May 19 6:30 pm
This workshop is for you if your child will be heading to
preschool and is currently enrolled in an Early Intervention
program, or, you have concerns about his or her development. Learn more about: - What preschool children with disabilities are
entitled to by law
- Steps to take in making the transition from
Early Intervention to preschool
- Steps to take if your child is not enrolled in Early
Intervention and you have concerns about his or her development
- Preschool program options and what to look for
when choosing a preschool
- Tips for making a successful transition
Wednesday,
May 19, 2010
6:30-8:30 pm Cuyahoga Valley Career Center,8001
Brecksville Road, Room 696 (second floor), Brecksville 44141
$10.00
Rsvp a must, please call Linda Kresnye at 216-229-5757, Ext.
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Mom's Night Out - Medina & Valley View
Take Some Time To Meet Other Great Moms
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 Valley View, Friday 5/21 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 Restaurant Appetizer on the USOD8111 Rockside Rd. Valley View, OH - map questrsvp to laura@usod.org |
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Latest Issue of Special Needs Parenting Magazine
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| May/June 2010 - click here
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DownsEd Conference Cleveland- Registration is Open
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 November 3,4 & 5, 2010
Registration is now open for the DownsEd International to be held in Cleveland. Register early and ensure your spot for this world class conference. There are limited slots for each track.
The Down Syndrome Education Conferences offer high quality,
evidence-based guidance
and information for professionals and families and are offered
at locations around
the world.
These unique events cover motor, cognitive, social, language,
literacy and numeracy
development from birth, presenting up-to-date overviews of
current knowledge and
illustrating evidence-based, effective teaching techniques and
approaches for people
with Down syndrome.
The DownsEd Conference Cleveland 2010
provides the following tracks:
Two Day
'In Depth' Tracks -
November 3-4, 2010: 'In
Depth' Track - Early Years (Birth-5 Years) 'In
Depth' Track -
Elementary / Childhood Years
'In
Depth' Track - Speech and Language Professionals One Day 'Essentials'
Tracks -
November 5, 2010: 'Essentials'
Track - Early Years (Birth-5 Years) 'Essentials'
Track -
Elementary / Childhood Years
'Essentials'
Track -
High School / Adolescence Years
Conference Brochure website registration
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USOD Parent Education Series - Eastside
Medicaid Waiver Review
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 Tuesday, May 25, 2010 7:00 pm Navigating the
maze of governmental programs can be confusing and
intimidating. Jeffrey Mackey, division manager for community Medicaid
services for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities,
will present an overview of the Ohio Medicaid Waiver program and other
governmental supports. This interactive session will provide attendees
with important information regarding how to locate and access services
for children and adults with Down syndrome and other disabilities and
why it is important to place loved ones on the current Waiver waiting
list if you have not done so already.
Ohio Medicaid Waivers are programs offered through the Ohio
Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), the Ohio Department of
Developmental Disabilities (DODD), and the Ohio Department of Aging. A
Medicaid Waiver is money available to both children and adults which can
pay for additional services for people with developmental disabilities.
Location: Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health Center
Conference Room D 26900 Cedar Road Beachwood, mapquest
free, please rsvp@usod.org
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USOD Parent Speaker Series
Teaching Responsibility to Our Families
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 Monday, June 14, 2010 7:00 pmJennifer Smith, behavior and curriculum intervention specialist with the
CCBDD, explains how to create responsible family members. This lecture
will focus on the importance of teaching independence for all ages.
Teaching our children to be responsible for themselves and for their
role as members of a family, community and school/work site is critical
for quality of life issues. Participants will learn how to identify
areas of focus and strategies used to help our family members take
ownership.
Cleveland Clinic
Beachwood Family Health Center
Conference Room D, 26900 Cedar Rd. Beachwood, mapquest
Free, rsvp@usod.org
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Over 200 Apps for iTouch & iPhone
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iTouch/iPhone Applications for Special
Education
View a great list of over 200 applications you can
use to promote learning for students with exceptional learning needs. click here
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Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology & Transition Planning
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 Planned Transitions are Smooth Transitions!Brought to you by The Family Center on Technology and Disability
55-page resource guide - click here.
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New Summer Camp For Kids With Down syndrome
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 Week of August 2-6, 2010
We are so excited about a wonderful full-day camp being offered especially for kids with Down syndrome by Bluestreak Camps which will be held on the Ursuline Campus. Blue Streak Summer Camps, Inc. was established in 1985 as a
co-educational, non-competitive sports summer day camp. Since that time
our goal has always remained to provide a wide variety of athletic
camps, for both children and adults, in a wholesome environment; camps
which are safe, fun, and as personal as possible. At Blue Streak Camps,
the focus continues to be on sportsmanship, fair-play, learning, and
skill improvement - not on winning and losing. Call for information today, there are limited slots due to the high camper to staff ratio. Cost is $200.
Please contact Tim or 440-287-7644.
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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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