 2 Spots Left for Falmouth Road Race August 11 If you want to join Team MDSC to run the historic 7-mile Falmouth Road Race, don't delay! The race, which follows the pristine Cape Cod coast, is 9 weeks away, but just two spots remain. The group of 18 consists of new and experienced runners from right here in Massachusetts and from places like New Jersey, Connecticut and California. If you join the team, we will treat you to a Pre-Race Luncheon the day before (Sat., Aug. 10), hosted by MDSC Executive Director Maureen Gallagher at the Flying Bridge Restaurant in Falmouth.
If you interested in having fun, running and fundraising, join the cause and make a difference in the lives of people with Down Syndrome.
Go here for an application. For more information email MDSC Executive Assistant Jacquie Sherman at race@mdsc.org.
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Save the Date: New Family
Social, Saturday, July 13
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New friends Sofia and Eleanor met last week at our New Family Social. Coincidentally, they were born only one day apart
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Last Saturday, the MDSC hosted our latest New Family Social, in which we invite families of children with Down syndrome under 3 to our Burlington office for an informal get together with coffee and light refreshments.
Save the date for our next New Family Social on Saturday July 11, from 10am - Noon. Grandparents, siblings, a friend... all are welcome. It's a great opportunity to share resources and meet new friends!
RSVP requested to Family Support Director Sarah Cullen. Hope to see you there!
Click here for a flyer with complete information
and more upcoming dates.
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'Full Life Ahead' Series to Explore Friendship/Love
Join us for the next installment in our ongoing workshops on transition-related topics for parents and guardians of young adults with disabilities. The series is hosted at the MDSC's office in collaboration with Mass. Families Organizing for Change.
On Wednesday, June 26, we are joined by Jim Ross, Real Friends Project Coordinator. Jim will talk about the important topic of Friendships and Love.
Building and Keeping Relationships is an important part of a REAL LIFE. Happiness can come from knowing we have Friends, people who care for us. Building relationships between individuals with or without disabilities should be encouraged wherever you live, learn, work and play. Jim Ross, The Real Friends Project Coordinator for the Northeast/Metro Boston/Southeast Region, will lead a discussion with a focus on ways to build relationships between individuals with and without disabilities by identifying and developing resources.
Space is limited to 50 attendees, so see here for full information, including RSVP information.
The series is 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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450 Respondents to Membership Survey!
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Tee Off for D.A.D.S. on June 24 in Easton
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2nd Annual Rock'N'Dock Festival Raises Awareness and Critical Funds for Ds
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Teen & Young Adult Services Program Coordinator Mychelle Lee manning the MDSC Table at the 2nd Annual Rock-N-Dock Festival
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No question about it. It was boiling hot the last weekend in May at Patriot Place in Foxboro, where Go Team 21 held its 2nd Annual "Rock-N-Dock" Festival. And yet, everybody found ways to stay  cool and nobody was complaining! The dogs were launching themselves into nice cool water (after flying through the air upwards of 20 feet). Event founder Dave Skoletsky and others took turns in the dunk tank. And the event raised upwards of $40,000 for critical services, including those of the MDSC. We were happy to be a part of it all. Saturday night featured a Down syndrome benefit concert with Nashville recording artist, five-time Boston Music Awards Best Folk Artist, singer/songwriter Lori McKenna. Just before her performance, MDSC Self-Advocate Advisory Council member Chris May took the stage. He spoke about how the MDSC both inspired him and helped him to make the switch from a hobby photographer to a professional, with his own website, www.chrismayphotos.com. You can see his speech in its entirety here. During the day, dog lovers got to see three world-record holding dogs, including Dave's own Yeager, the canine world-record holder for vertical leap. Thanks Dave for your support and inspiration!  | |
Chris May and Dave Skoletsky
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Keep Your Bruins Fever Alive ... Join MDSC All Stars vs. Past Bruins Greats
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Prenatal First Call Training Enhanced
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Time Running Out to Support the MDSC on Beacon Hill -- Call Now!
If you haven't already, please pick up the phone and call your Representative and Senator in the State House to help secure state funding for the MDSC's essential programs that serve and benefit your loved ones with Down syndrome.
We are simply asking that the state's Conference Committee renews its support of the MDSC through a $100,000 appropriation in Line Item 5911-1003. This funding was provided for the first time last year.Wherever you live, we hope you will act, but this is especially critical if you are a constituent of one of the 8 Conference Committee members:
Senator Stephen Brewer (Co-Chairman of Conference Committee), Representative Brian Dempsey (Co-Chairman of Conference Committee), Senator Michael Knapik, Senator Bruce Tarr, Senator Jennifer Flanagan, Representative Viriato (Vinny) deMacedo, Representative Bradley Jones, Representative Stephen Kulik.
This money is critical to the continuation of the MDSC educational outreach programs that help the 5,000 families who are a part of the MDSC network.
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Become a Buddy Walk Team Captain to Win a Signing Time! CD/DVD Series
 Now, for a limited time, if you sign up to become a Buddy Walk Team Captain* between June 15 and June 23 for ANY of our three Buddy Walks this year, you will be entered into a raffle to win Rachel Coleman's award-winning "Signing Time!" CD/DVD series. This includes "Signing Time Songs", "My Favorite Things," "Family, Feelings & Fun", and "ABC Signs."
We are thrilled to welcome Rachel back to our Buddy Walk & Family Festival stage this year. Her incredibly popular "Signing Time!" television program teaches children basic American Sign Language in a fun, engaging way.
This contest applies to any of our Buddy Walks, which for the first time ever, number three this year! But remember you must register as a Team Captain.* Each Buddy Walk promises to bring families together and create awareness. And each will have a unique feel that captures the character of its surroundings. The three Buddy Walks include:
3rd Buddy Walk by the Sea - July 27
1st Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair - Sept. 22
START A TEAM NOW!
17th Buddy Walk & Family Festival - Oct. 13
Go here for complete information on our Buddy Walk Program
*To participate in this contest, you must "start a team" by signing up as a TEAM CAPTAIN*. Please note that simply registering does NOT count. You must check "Start a Team", making you a TEAM CAPTAIN, a leader who raises funds for the walk and recruits others to join their team and raise funds, too.
Last year we had 237 Team Captains. We hope to top that this year. If you have already signed up as a Team Captain this year before June 14, email jkomyerov@mdsc.org and ask to be entered into the contest.
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Samantha's Harvest & CJ's Spring Swing:
Two Community Fundraisers to Emulate!
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CJ Buckley auctions off a framed David Ortiz photo as part of CJ's Spring Swing community fundraiser.
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Two fundraisers last weekend are models of what MDSC members can do to support people with Down syndrome in their communities.
Last Sunday in Reading, Samantha's Harvest hosted its third annual 5K Run and Family Walk. A portion of the proceeds will support the MDSC's essential, forward-thinking programs. See photos of the event here.
Samantha's Harvest was founded by Lisa and Rob Gibbs after their daughter Samantha was born in June of 2001 with Down syndrome. She was diagnosed at two days old. The Gibbs family felt they needed to raise awareness by educating parents and children in their community, as well as teachers in the schools, about what Down syndrome "is and is not." From there, the idea for Samantha's Harvest was born.
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Samantha Gibbs on the Race Course of the Samantha's Harvest 5K
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Sandra and Sean Buckley started CJ's Spring Swing 9 years ago, just two years after their son was born with Down syndrome and subsequently diagnosed with Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
The golf tournament and auction raises much-needed funds to support programs, like the MDSC, dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with Down syndrome. "We felt the need to do something in return," Sandra said. This year, the 9th Annual CJ's Spring Swing was held June 7 at the New England Country Club in Bellingham, Mass.
We thank both these incredible families for their hard work and commitment.
While both these programs are well established now, they were once just getting off the ground. You can start a community fundraiser like this in your community, too, and the MDSC can help. Use a Community Fundraiser to boost fundraising for your Buddy Walk team! And help promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome in your community.
We have all the tips and tools you need! Read our guidelines here or email Becca at communityfundraisers@mdsc.org for more information.
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A.I.M. Gets Artsy! Next Up? Getting Sporty
Last week, the MDSC's Advocates in Motion participants ventured to South Boston, where they got in touch with their artistic side and painted their interpretation of a frog in a pond at the Urban Art Bar. See all the photos here on our Facebook page.
If you're looking for something more physical than artsy, join AIM for its final event before breaking for the summer. AIM's End of the Year Party will be on Sunday, June 23rd from 1-3pm at Town Line Ten Pin in Malden. We will have lunch, bowling, and an awards ceremony. Parents, siblings, and friends are welcome! RSVP to aim@mdsc.org by June 18th.
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5 Research Studies Available to Members
Five research studies have currently been reviewed and approved by the MDSC Medical & Scientific Advisory Council. MDSC members are encouraged to participate if they choose.
- Idaho State University - Language Acquisition: Sign Language and Spoken Language
- University of Connecticut - Siblings and Disabilities
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania - The Role of Early Intervention in Inclusion of People with Ds
- UMASS Memorial Children's Medical Center - Infants with Ds and Thyroid Dysfunction Screening
- Loyola University Maryland - Employment Status of People with Down Syndrome
See here for more information on each of these studies.
The MDSC's Medical and Scientific Advisory Council selects a number of studies each year that will be made available for the MDSC members. Each proposal is carefully reviewed for content, ethics, and feasibility before forwarding the information onto our members. The MDSC is sensitive to the confidential nature of our membership information and at no time does the MDSC sell or share member information with researchers.
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The game is for ages 18+ with a few spots for 13-17 year olds. The player who fundraises the most gets to be a Bruin for the day and play on their team!
