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The NDSC Communicator
_________________________________________________March, 2012 |
| March Madness!
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From "Spread the Word to End the Word" on March 7 to "World Down Syndrome Day" on 3/21, March 2012 has turned into a month to celebrate!
There's the first day of Spring, St. Patrick's Day, college basketball craziness, and this year, we're even excited about the New York City half-marathon that takes place on March 18. Why is that, you wonder? Because NDSC board member Bret Bowerman and his wife, Courtney, are running and raising money for the NDSC that day.
Check out their Run for Ellie website, and you, too, can support our upcoming advocacy Day on the Hill, an additional component of our convention in July. More information about Day on the Hill and how you can participate will be coming to your inbox soon. |
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NDSC and the R-Word ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spread the Word to End the Word™ is an ongoing effort created by Special Olympics and Best Buddies to raise the consciousness of our society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)", and to encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word.
 In conjunction with the R-word campaign, NDSC President, Jim Faber spoke to a group of parents and professionals in Longmont, CO, this month, explaining the NDSC's commitment to increasing awareness, advocating for inclusion in all aspects of life, sharing stories of accomplishments by people with Down syndrome, and spreading the More Alike Than Different message.
You can spread that message, too, by sending your friends to visit the NDSC website, and asking them to watch this video: http://www.ndsccenter.org/morealike/flash/
Some amazing students at Moon Area Middle School in Pennsylvania created their own R-word documentary that includes our More Alike video message. Take a look at the work done by these terrific middle-schoolers!
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| World Down Syndrome Day, 2012 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next Wednesday, March 21, 2012 is World Down Syndrome Day. Th e WDSD website is full of activities scheduled around the world, and is a great reminder of the worldwide effort to raise awareness about the value of people with Down syndrome, and their limitless possibilities when provided support, encouragement, and inclusion in our communities.
In next month's Communicator, we'll share stories and pictures from the events where our board and staff are participating. We hope you'll post your stories on our Facebook page, too. We'll be posting a video message on our page next week for you to share! |
| Self Advocates Making A Difference
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NDSC board member, Tony Piontek, will be interviewed by a local news station about his role in his organization's "Cool! I Can Cook!" program taking place on March 24. Read more about this fun and educational program from the Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana:
http://www.dsaa.info/Calendar-of-Events.php
NDSC convention attendee and exhibitor Kailin (KK) Kelderman was featured in a publication for young people with disabilities, called Logan Magazine. You can read KK's story here and learn more about her artistic talent and how that translated into a small business.
Like many self advocates we know, Jeffrey Carter loves to dance. Check out this video of the University of Wisconsin's WI Singers, working with Jeffrey and other students on choreography for an upcoming concert.
What do these stories have in common? They send the message that "We're More Alike Than Different". Send us your More Alike stories, too! |
| Biking to the NDSC Convention
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Of the 3,000 or so people we expect at our convention in Washington, DC this summer, a good portion will be flying into Reagan National Airport. Since DC is in th e middle of such a densely populated area, even more of you will be driving in. We bet there will be some families taking the train, and probably some taking a bus. But have you thought about riding your bike? From Pennsylvania no less?
That's what one dedicated group of cyclists will be doing. The ride is a fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Center at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
For complete information on how you can participate or support this event, visit the "Pedal 2DC 4DS" website and Facebook page. We look forward to welcome any and all riders who make the trip to our convention! |
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And Another Thing or Two...
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1. Self advocates, have you submitted "your story" to the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus? They are selecting a "Featured Person of the Week" each Friday on their Facebook page. They want to share stories of the incredible things you're doing. Please send your submissions (with a photo and a brief biography) to DSCaucus@gmail.com. Share with your friends and spread the word!
2. Speaking of Facebook, be sure to like the NDSC Governmental Affairs page, and our NDSC en espanol page, too! |
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| Contact Information
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