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October 19, 2012 | No. 13
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Only one week remains for Early Bird Rates for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Northeast Down Syndrome Education Conference on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the Marriott in Burlington, Mass.
The conference is ideal for teachers, parents, or anyone who teaches children with Down syndrome (including teaching assistants, educational/school psychologists, speech and language pathologists, early intervention therapists, administrators and other health and education professionals).
The MDSC is proud to host Down Syndrome Education International (DSEI), the world's leading experts in Down syndrome education, for this intensive, in-depth and exclusive 2-day conference.
REGISTER NOW
For complete information, visit our website page and look for updates on our Facebook page.
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8th Annual Bruins Matchup Nov. 18
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Apply Now to Run Boston Marathon
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On Saturday, October 13th, on the heels of our Buddy Walk, the Loring School in Sudbury hosted its first-ever "Little Buddy Challenge." The program was a second grade social action project aimed at teaching the elementary school community about Down syndrome and about accepting differences. Kids learned that everyone has challenges, whether or not they have special needs.
Leading up to Saturday's event, the second grade students were paid a visit by Kate Bartlett, a member of the MDSC's Self-Advocate Advisory Council. Kate shared video clips from her appearances on "Sesame Street", as well as a presentation about her accomplishments throughout the years. By all accounts, the inaugural "Buddy Walk Challenge" was a huge success. See here for the press release with completed details of the event.
Thanks to Buddy Walk co-chair Kerri Tabasky for organizing, and to Dr. Brian Skotko of our Medical & Scientific Advisory Board for his participation. If you'd like to explore ways you can help promote acceptance and inclusion in your community, visit our Get Involved page.
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New Medical Needs Support Group
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Volunteer for the MDSC Today
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Dear Member
It's been more than 10 days now since our community came together for a magical day on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt to dance, sing, celebrate and, of course, walk a momentous three miles for people with Down syndrome. Even now, the thrill of the friends we saw, the stories we heard, and the laughs we shared remains with us. Someone who wasn't there might suspect that after 16 years, the Buddy Walk magic would wear thin. But anyone who was there would no doubt set the record straight!
Just ask Jessica Caprio of Marston Mills, who attended her first Buddy Walk with her family, including Dominic, her 4-month-old with Down syndrome (pictured above). "It was one of the best days of my life," Jessica said. "Such a celebration of life and love! We are so proud to be part of such a community."
For some reason, this year was more special than ever. Was it something about our Special Guest Lauren Potter and the limitless possibility that her career and advocacy represents? Was it "The Voice" star James Massone who not only sang beautifully, but upon exiting the stage wrapped his cousin with Down syndrome in a sweet embrace? Was it seeing the months of hard work of the Boston Ballet Adaptive Dance Class come to fruition, and the pure joy of the students about being on stage? Was it having Ayla Brown back for her fourth straight year and realizing how much she and our community have grown and changed in such a short period of time?
Or perhaps it was the rain that was forecasted all week, but which held off until the minute the date for the 17th Annual Buddy Walk was announced - Oct. 13, 2013 - and the last goodbyes were uttered?
It was all those things, but it also seemed to be something related to what we've been through together just in the last year. This includes the passing of Dr. Allen Crocker, who all of us owed so much for how he helped us as individuals and as a community. It also includes two developments that will change the landscape of the Down syndrome community in Massachusetts forever - the introduction of the first-ever non-invasive prenatal test for Down syndrome and the monumental passage of the landmark Prenatal Down Syndrome Testing Law in Massachusetts. The first will mean that expectant parents will get an accurate diagnosis earlier than ever. The second will ensure that these parents get the critical information they need to make the best decision for their family.
Whatever it was that made the 2012 Buddy Walk so remarkable, we are ever-mindful that it is only possible because of all of you. Scroll down to see all the folks who made the 16th Annual Buddy Walk & Family Picnic the momentous occasion it was. But before you do, enjoy re-living some of the highlights of the day below, whether or not you were among the 3,500 people who celebrated with us on Wakefield Common on Oct. 7.
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Special Guest - Actress Lauren Potter
Headlining our event was Lauren Potter, the actress with Down syndrome who plays Becky Jackson, captain of the Cheerios Cheerleading squad, on Glee, and a recent appointee to President Obama's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Lauren was incredibly gracious at our Buddy Walk, taking time to greet all of her adoring fans. Below, she hugs Ashley Wolfe, a member of the MDSC's Self-Advocate Advisory Council, who starred with Lauren in Lauren's feature film debut, Mr. Blue Sky. In the bottom photo, Brian Stevens presents Lauren with the Samantha Marcia Stevens Family Award of Excellence in Raising Awareness. See here for our look at "Who is Lauren Potter?"
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Boston Ballet Adaptive Dance Class
What happens when remarkable individuals with Down syndrome team up with the world-class Boston Ballet? Watch the impressive and flat-out fun video below as Gino DiMarco and musicians from the Berkeley School of Music provide accompaniment for this, the second of two performances. You can see the first performance here. The Boston Ballet is even offering a special deal for Buddy Walk participants - a 15% discount on select performances of their totally revamped version of The Nutcracker. For discounted tickets go to www.bostonballet.org/buddywalk (and enter code BUDDY).
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Yeager, Canine World-Record Holder for Extreme Vertical Jump
At 4 p.m., the walk itself was long over, the awards had been given out and the rain was starting to fall. But at one tent, there was still a line of people waiting. It was the tent of Yeager, the 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, who does whatever his owner, Dave Skoletsky commands, and has the incredible ability to jump 8 feet in the air. Yeager may have been the biggest star of day. And rightly so... every performance that Dave, Yeager and Eve (Dave's adorable 6-year-old daughter with Down syndrome) make, they donate the proceeds to Down syndrome organizations. This was true at our Buddy Walk as well. Watch the trio's stage performance below and then check out this video Dave captured of the whole Buddy Walk crowd chanting the name of his charitable organization, "Go Team 21."
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Country Star Ayla Brown
Singing star Ayla Brown returned for her 4th Buddy Walk this year, and she just keeps getting better. For the first time ever, she brought a full 5-piece band and a trove of new songs from a soon-to-be-released album. She's may be getting bigger and bigger, but she is a gracious and welcoming and inclusive as ever.
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Emcee Heather Hegedus of Fox25
She was the very definition of professionalism. TV reporter Heather Hegedus of Fox 25 was not only calm and cool as our emcee, she brought charm and enthusiasm to Buddy Walk As if that wasn't enough, she even hung out for a while after the event before heading off - not to relax at home like most of us - but to moonlight on the 10 p.m. news, putting together one of the best short pieces on our Buddy Walk we've ever seen on network news. See that story below.
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"The Voice" Star James Massone
At the 11th-hour, when we finally nailed down booking James Massone for the Buddy Walk, we didn't know exactly what we were getting. We knew, of course, that James was a Wakefield native whose smooth voice helped shoot to fame recently on "The Voice." But what we only discovered the day of event was that James was a true gentleman in every respect. You can see this clearly in both the photo and video below.
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There are so many to thank for making the Buddy Walk the fun, warm, inspiring and smoothly-run event that it was.
The Engine
We have to start with the members of our Buddy Walk Task Force, whose many months of planning and preparation paid off on Oct. 7 in ways big and small.
- Kerri and Jonathan Tabasky - Co-Chairs
- Dolores Benoit
- Danielle Cassiani
- Deborah Gregorio Cruz
- Maureen Gallagher
- Chris Farris
- Lauren Mann
- Angela Ortiz
- Marie Rej
- Ruth Reilly
- John Vanderwilden
The Heart & Soul
We also must thank all the Team Captains, walkers, donors, hundreds of volunteers, and the entire town of Wakefield. Your leadership and dedication was invaluable. We could not have done this without your unwavering support.
The Sponsors
Finally, we thank all our sponsors, without whose generosity the Buddy Walk would not exist in its current form.
- VERIZON
- Fox 25 News
- Cooley Manion Jones
- EchoStor Technologies
- Nestle Pure Life
- Patrick McLaughlin Memorial Fund
- Wellesley Toyota
- Contact Telecom
- Tighe Logistics
- Vanderwilden Family
- Parametric Technology Corporation
- Long's Fine Jewelers
- L&W Investigations
- Whole Foods
- Cheers for Children
- Frito Lay
- Honey Dew Donuts
- Silverlink Communications
- AMP Radio 103.3
- Mix 104.1
- Wicked Local Wakefield
- Action Ambulance
- Avidia Bank
- Bath Fitter
- Boston Properties
- Cascadian Farm
- MassGeneral Hospital Down Syndrome Program
- New England Disposal Technologies
- R.C. Lafond Insurance
- Reece's Rainbow
- Savers Bank
- St. Mary's Credit Union
- Stop & Shop
- Capron Sound & Lights
- Town Line Ten Pin
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