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News for Members and Friends, February 14, 2014
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It's Valentine's Day, and you know what we love? We love sharing stories like these: Kevin Grow, an 18-year-old senior, is team manager for his high school basketball team, the Bensalem Owls. With two minutes to go on Senior Night, the coach called on Kevin, who said he's always dreamed of getting into a real game. Coach John Mullin says Kevin is a "gift to the team...We get more from him than we could give him." Kevin, who has Down syndrome, practices every day with the team -- doing drills along with his managing duties. He never leaves a practice until he makes a free throw.
It's tradition that only seniors start the game on Senior Day. The team has five other seniors, three of whom offered to give up their starting spot to Kevin. Instead, Kevin went in at the end -- we know that's THE most exciting part of any basketball game. You can read the full story here, but spoiler alert: Kevin scored 14 points, 12 of them coming from three point range. Coach Mullin, whose brother is a hall-of-famer, said "I've been to NBA finals, two gold medal games...and... I've never had a feeling like this in my life". Happy Valentine's Day.
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Convention Registration: Coming Soon!
In just two weeks (and a couple of days) we'll be opening the registration system for our annual convention. Things to know before March 3rd: 1. The Youth and Adults Conference  and Kids' Camp will most likely reach capacity prior to the deadlines. Register early! 2. The JW Marriott will be our home base. Room reservations will also open on March 3rd. Register early to book sleeping rooms in the main hotel. 3. Downtown Indianapolis is a wonderful, family-friendly place to stay. Go to Visit Indy to plan your trip outside of the convention.
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Get Ready for World Down Syndrome Day
 Just about a month away, are you wondering how you can mark the occasion? Well, you could register to attend the official WDSD conference at the United Nations. This year's theme is Health and Wellbeing -- Access and Equality for All. Or, you could: Share the Self Advocate Resolution adopted at our convention last July. Put 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! Post a link to our More Alike Than Different website on your Facebook page. Ask to have our PSA's or More Alike mini-documentary aired on your school's morning announcements, at your March PTA meeting, your high school's service clubs or your local civic organization meeting. Write an article for your school newsletter or your local newspaper highlighting the accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Whatever you choose to do, be an active spokesperson for those with Down syndrome!
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Spread the Word to End the Word
Join the Special Olympics and Best Buddies programs on March 5, 2014 by taking the pledge and supporting their work to Spread the Word to End the Word.  "Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities. However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing and exclusive effects of the R-word. Language affects attitudes. Attitudes impact actions. Make your pledge to choose respectful people first language."
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Healthcare Information for Adults with IDD
Adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) often have difficulty accessing health care once they transition from their pediatrician's care. Many health care professionals may feel that they have insufficient training or experience to feel comfortable providing care to adults with IDD.
The IDD Toolkit, www.iddtoolkit.org, is a website devoted to information for the primary care of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It offers health care providers best-practice tools and a wealth of information regarding specific medical and behavioral concerns of adults with IDD, including resources for patients and families.
The website is a project of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, the University of Tennessee Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities and the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and is funded by the Special Hope Foundation.
The website's information is an adaptation for use in the U.S. of a Canadian book, "Tools for the Primary Care of People with Developmental Disabilities," (2011) which is based on consensus guidelines and has been peer-reviewed. By adapting the Canadian tools and making them available electronically, virtually every U.S. primary care provider could have access to these tools.
While the target audience is health care providers, patients and families may benefit by sharing this toolkit with their physicians, nurse practitioners or other providers.
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| Making a difference. One family at a time. |
National Down Syndrome Congress
30 Mansell Court, Suite 108
Roswell, GA 30076
800-232-6372; 770-604-9500
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Fax: 770-604-9898| Email: info@ndsccenter.org | Website: www.ndsccenter.org Copyright � 2014. All Rights Reserved. |
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