Next Thursday, March 21st, the Down syndrome community will once again celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. At the United Nations, a conference will be held for the second year, this time emphasizing employment for people with DS, titled Right to Work. All around the world, parents, families, and Down syndrome organizations will hold dances, workshops, dinners and more. You're probably planning to take part in an event yourself.

Let's ask ourselves, what else can we do to broaden the scope - to get the larger community to celebrate with us? How can we get the rest of the world to truly see that people with Down syndrome are "more alike than different"? What can we say to impress upon those outside of our friends and families that people with Down syndrome are valuable members of their communities, just the way they are? 

We invite you to really celebrate next Thursday; make it a "holiday" to enjoy with your friends. Send cookies or cupcakes to school with your child to share with her class. Invite your colleagues to join you for lunch in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. Send an email to your congressional representative and tell him about Down syndrome. If "lots of socks" is your thing, wear them! Invite neighbors to join you for a drink after work, and toast people with Down syndrome all around the world. (Send us your ideas and photos, so we can share them, too!)

Of course the broadest reach is probably through your social media connections. Next week, post the World Down Syndrome Day logo and ask your friends to share it. Post a picture of the person you love with Down syndrome on your profile, and tell your story to the world. Follow other organizations celebrating WDSD, and share those messages on your page, too. Use #WorldDownSyndromeDay when you tweet, and get that hashtag trending!

NDSC board member Bret Bowerman and his wife Courtney are running the New York City half marathon (this weekend) for the second year in support of the NDSC, and in honor of their daughter Ellie. Board member Shawn Hardister is running the Boston Marathon in support of his son Matthew, with funds raised going to the NDSC.  We are thrilled to have such committed board members, who support our organization with their time and expertise all year long - even "taking it to the streets" for the NDSC.

You can read more about both of their fundraising campaigns below. We would, of course, be honored if you chose to support their fundraising efforts with a donation, but also want you to know this is something any NDSC supporter can do as part of their race routine. Just call us at 800-232-6372, and we'll give you the information you need to set it up for your next run!

Follow this link to join the Bowerman's in their support of the NDSC.  

The Hardister's Story:  

Little did Pam and Shawn know when Matthew entered their lives almost 20 years ago, that they were in for a wonderful adventure.  That's certainly not what they thought when they were given a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Pam and Shawn weren't sure where to turn, until they found the National Down Syndrome Congress.  In the NDSC, they found a national organization that became for them an extended family - offering support, advice and encouragement. They believe that many lives have been improved by the NDSC - through advocacy at a national level, through current information and sound advice that is free to all who seek it, and through the annual convention that has been unofficially dubbed the "NDSC Giant Family Reunion".

Matthew is the joy of their lives - and Down syndrome is a wonderful and lovely part of who he is.  Matthew's twin sisters have also benefited, and have great hearts and maturity because of it. Please join Pam and Shawn in supporting the NDSC.  Your donation keeps that light of hope shining bright for so many new and expectant parents, as well as to people with Down syndrome throughout each of the stages of their lives!

Follow this link to support Shawn and the NDSC.