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January 24, 2012 | No. 16
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Share Your "Real LIves" Photos for Annual Conf.
For the 29th year, the MDSC is proud to host our Annual Conference, bringing together more than 500 self-advocates, parents, grandparents, siblings, educators, and other professionals to learn from regional and national experts on a spectrum of topics related to Down syndrome.
This year's theme is "Real Lives," named in part for the "Real Lives Bill," a key piece of state legislation that would markedly improve the way services are financed and delivered for people with disabilities in Massachusetts.
Real Lives also refers to the fact that, everyday, people with Down syndrome are living fruitful, rewarding, full, "real lives": singing and dancing, working hard and chilling out, playing sports and rooting for the home team, laughing and crying.
Mark your calendars, plan to join us, and send us your photos of your loved one living his/her Real Life. Include a sentence or two about the "Real Life" depicted in the image. Email photo to RealLives@mdsc.org.
Registration will open soon. Go to the Annual Conference page of our website for more information.
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The MDSC is looking for a Strategic Online Communications Intern to help bolster the MDSC's media presence, forge online connections with key allies, and assist with messaging consistent with the organization's brand and identity standards.
He/she will also assist with some "traditional" media outreach, such as writing press releases and pitching stories to newspapers, radio and television stations. Applicants will:
- Gain experience using social media, website and email database platforms
- Acquire valuable expertise in the fields of public relations and strategic communications
- Gain experience with photo/video editing software
- Gain experience working on projects that directly impact the MDSC's mission
- Work in a dynamic nonprofit organization as part of a team.
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On Wed, Feb. 20, Dr. Brian Skotko, chair of the MDSC's Medical & Scientific Advisory Council, will be the featured guest at a Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.) meeting at the Beacon Grille in Woburn.
Dr. Skotko is a Board-certified medical geneticist and Co-Director of the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has dedicated his professional energies toward children with cognitive and development disabilities.
The meeting is the D.A.D.S.'s group's biggest of the year. Cost is $25 and includes dinner. It is open to all (spouses, parents, etc), though space is limited. RSVP to dadsmass@yahoo.com.
See our Facebook Events posting for complete details.
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New Parent Social Welcomes All Feb. 9
Join other new parents to children with Down syndrome and other loved ones at our next New Parent Social at the MDSC Burlington office on Feb. 9. Launched last year, our New Parent Socials have quickly become an indispensable tradition/event.
Our "Socials" (or "Coffees" as we had been calling them) are open to all parents of children under three with Down syndrome. Come meet other new parents: connect, learn, and share in an informal relaxed setting! Siblings, grandparents and other family members are also welcome. Light refreshments are served. |
The MDSC now has a full slate of 10 runners for the 117th running of the historic Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15.
One of those runners is Josefina Oliva (pictured above with runner and self-advocate Carey Daly), who has set a goal of raising $7,000 this year.
"Last year, at the 30k mark, I felt like I was dying," Josefina says. "I wanted to give up. Then, I saw three young adults [who were] part of the MDSC. They all had Down syndrome. They passed me water, cheered for me, told me to not give up. Their smiles and their positivity moved me and helped me finish the race."
You can support Josefina and the other runners here. The MDSC is a proud partner of the John Hancock Non-Profit Charity Program.
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Is there someone in your life or the life of your loved one who is deserving of one of the MDSC's Annual Awards? Don't miss the opportunity to nominate them. The deadline for submission is just around the corner, Feb. 1.
The winners will be announced at our 29th Annual "Real Lives" Conference on March 23, where they will be publicly recognized. The awards include:
- Outstanding Educator Award for an educator in Massachusetts who has significantly contributed to ensuring that students with Down syndrome are given every opportunity to maximize their full potential (Left: William Endslow, winner of the 2011 Educator's Award)
- Media Award for a person or company who exemplifies the MDSC's mission to disseminate up-to-date information about Down syndrome (Right:Shawn Kearney, Senior Art Director and Designer at Target, winner of our 2012 Media Award, pictured with child model Ryan Langston)
- Allen C. Crocker Award of Excellence, the highest award offered by the MDSC, for the person who most advances the Down syndrome movement (Center: Dr. Brian Skotko, winner of our 2012 Allen C. Crocker Award).
Read more about these awards and link to nomination forms here.
Board Nominations: The MDSC is also accepting nominations for committed individuals for our Board of Directors. Board members' responsibilities include development of policies, fundraising, financial oversight, and strategic planning. All nominations are welcomed, though the MDSC is particularly looking for nominees who meet certain desired characteristics. Read more here.
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 In collaboration with Boston Children's Hospital Down Syndrome Program, the MDSC is hosting a new support group for Families of Children with Down Syndrome and Complex Needs. The next meeting will be this weekend, Saturday, Jan.26 from 10 a.m. to noon in the conference room of the MDSC's Burlington office. The guest speaker will be Mary Castro Summers, Director of Family TIES of Massachusetts, a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs. Mary will share information about key resource programs to support your families. These will include additional programs at the Federation, the Mass. Department of Public Health's Children & Youth with Special Needs Program, and community-based activities. She will touch on insurance and MassHealth programs, school-related concerns, and addressing social needs for your families All family members are welcome. Parents will meet separately; kids/siblings will gather nearby. Volunteers are available for support during the meetings. For more information, RSVP to Sarah Cullen at (781) 221-0024, ext. 206 or scullen@mdsc.org. See our Facebook events posting here. |
 The first workshop will be led by Pamela Coveney, Senior Attorney and Co-Team Leader of the Disability Law Center (DLC) Education Team, who will address "Planning for Life after Special Education."
Pamela will discuss how to develop comprehensive post-secondary vision statements, IEPs and transition plans, developing appropriate transition services for students, knowing various diploma options, and best practices for family involvement. More information is included in the latest edition of "Planning for Life after Special Education in Massachusetts", which you can read and download for free here.
See our Facebook Events posting here for full information. RSVP to snadworny@riversidecc.org.
The series is all part of the MDSC's efforts to develop more opportunities for families who have children transitioning to adulthood. The series will focus on transition, employment, housing and other topics that will help to give them interdependent, full lives in their community. |
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The MDSC is thrilled to welcome three new faces to the MDSC family. On January 19 at 10:51 a.m., our Teen & Adult Services Program Director Colleen Endres gave birth to Piper January Endres (6 lbs, 6 oz, 19 inches). Congratulations to Colleen and Piper, and the new proud father, Paul Endres.
 Filling in for Colleen during her maternity is Mychelle Lee (right), who started last month as our Teen & Adult Services Program Facilitator. Mychelle has a daughter, Alyson, with Down syndrome, who believe it or not, turned 2 years old on January 19 (and in the same hour of day as Piper too!)
As Mychelle tells it, she was headed toward a degree in patent law and on to law school, but having Alyson changed everything. "I decided to stay home and help my daughter reach her full potential. Little did I know that she was helping me reach my full potential. This is what it means to have a child with DS...She simply makes me a better person." She can be reached at mlee@mdsc.org
 Finally, we welcome Joy Gould (left) who began in the New Year as our Education Resource Specialist & Conference Facilitator. Joy has significant experience in the non-profit world, working with diverse families and individuals with disabilities for the Institute for Community Inclusion, Jewish Vocational Services, City of Cambridge and Vinfen Corporation. We are excited for her to bring new ideas and expertise to the MDSC. She will be reachable starting the week of January 7 at jgould@mdsc.org.
Please join us in welcoming Mychelle and Joy to the team, and Piper to the world! We also want to offer our gratitude to Rosalie Forster, who served exceptionally as our Ed Resource Specialist & Conference Facilitator for the last three years. We are sorry to see her go, but excited as she starts a new chapter in her life - as a teacher in the Worcester Public Schools. Thanks Rosalie for your dedicated service!
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Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers for the Buddy Walk on Washington
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If you are passionate about advocating for the interests of people with Down syndrome, join us for the NDSS Buddy WalkŪ on Washington on March 13-14th, 2013 as we make our presence felt in the nation's capitol. This two-day advocacy event brings together hundreds of people from the Down syndrome community around the country to meet with members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill to advance education, research, healthcare and employment opportunities.
MDSC Executive Director Maureen Gallagher and the other members of our delegation meet directly with Bay State lawmakers serving us in Washington and/or their staff members. This is your chance to make a difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families. If you are interested, please contact us at timetospeakout@mdsc.org. (Please note that the MDSC covers the cost of the registration fees and people pay for their own travel expenses.)
Read more about our national advocacy initiatives here.
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Please call your state legislator, and ask him or her to sign onto MDSC priority bill HD 578 - An act to Require National Background Checks. The deadline is Friday, Feb 1 for legislators to co-sponsor the bill, which requires a national criminal background check for anyone working directly with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by the Department of Developmental Services.
 Although this legislation did not pass during the last legislative session, the bill has now been refiled and is gaining momentum.
The Disability Law Center has now joined the MDSC, the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, and The Arc of Massachusetts to advocate for this bill. Currently, it is very easy for Individuals to move from state to state to obtain employment. An agency may hire an individual without having the means to make an informed decision based on the applicant's comprehensive criminal history. This legislation would remedy the danger this situation would pose to people served by DDS.
Please ask your legislator to sponsor HD578, either by using the LAWS system at the State House, or by calling the office of the bill sponsor, Rep. Marty Walsh (above), at 617-722-2020 -- and asking for Linda Lopriore.
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If you are between the ages of 11 and 18, are the brother or sister of someone with Down syndrome and would like an an opportunity to meet other siblings who just get what it's like, join us Feb. 10 from 11am-2pm at Town Line Bowling, 665 Broadway in Malden.
 The event includes free bowling, pizza and fun. The group is being run by our Brother/Sister Facilitator Sam Stark, sister of Chris Stark, a self-advocate and member of our Advocates in Motion program. Questions and RSVP to Sam Stark at brothersister@mdsc.org or call 781-221-0024. Read more about Sam here and more about our Brothers & Sister program here.
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