NDSC has plans to celebrate the day in both big and small ways. We'll be participating in Down Syndrome International's celebration at the United Nations in New York City. In March, our Executive Director, David Tolleson, will release a statement on Facebook, Twitter and on our YouTube channel. We hope you will share it among all of your social media connections. (If you haven't done so yet, be sure to like us on Facebook!)

Jim Faber, NDSC President, and Linda Mora, our Diversity Outreach Coordinator, will be celebrating World Down Syndrome Day in Trinidad and Tobago, at the launch of one of our newest affiliates, Down Syndrome Family Network. We are so excited that Jim and Linda will be able to observe this special WDSD while welcoming DSFN to the NDSC family! While there, Jim and Linda will be participating in local television interviews, presenting workshops to families, visiting educational facilities and meeting with government officials, educators and medical professionals. You can view Jim's message to their members here. 

Wondering how you can mark the occasion?

Parents and self advocates can make an impact by putting information about Down syndrome in the school media center, community centers, public libraries and places of worship. Contact us for copies of brochures about Down syndrome or for our More Alike Than Different posters.

Give our informational brochure to your child's teacher, employer, or doctor. A little information goes a long way in educating the professionals who work with our family members!

Download a copy of the newest healthcare guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and send it to your child's pediatrician with a photo of your family and a note telling him/her about World Down Syndrome Day.

In January, NDSC President, Jim Faber, was able to take time to visit another new NDSC affiliate, Down Country, located on the Mississippi river in an area known as the Tri-States (MO, IL, IA). Jim Faber said he'd visit any affiliate, anywhere during his tenure as President of the NDSC, and he is making good on that promise! During his whirlwind tour, he met with school officials, superintendents, special service directors, teachers, therapists, local media, community members and families, as well as his toughest audience: over 400 K-4th graders. He also helped Down Country open the "I Have a Voice" traveling gallery from Gigi's Playhouse. You can see more details about his visit by going to the Down Country website www.upatdowncountry.com and clicking on the Jim Faber tab. Here's a terrific article from the local newspaper, too. (Watch out Matt Lauer, at this rate, we may start to write a regular section here called, "Where in the World is Jim Faber?"!) 

We have another board member on the move this month. Viviana Fernandez was invited to speak at the 6th Congress on Special Education by the Fundación para síndrome de Down Margarita Tejada. Viviana will be in Guatemala this weekend, speaking during the opening ceremony about the importance of inclusion, and lessons learned from her life with son, Cameron.