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Save the Date: 9th Annual Educator Forum Nov. 18
Join hundreds of educators on Monday, Nov. 18 in Worcester at our 9th Annual Educator's Forum, where you will be treated to a full day of presentations by experts in the field of educating students with Down syndrome.
 A range of stimulating workshops will bring to life the best practices for educating students with Down syndrome in an inclusive classroom.
This year's Keynote Speaker is Dr. Cheryl M. Jorgensen, PhD., an Inclusive Education Consultant and an expert in working with teachers, parents, and administrators to increase their commitment and capacity for including students with Down syndrome in general education.
This year's breakout sessions will focus on innovative, research-based educational strategies on the following topics: literacy and numeracy instruction, behavior, support with facilitating friendships, Brain Gym, planning for differentiated instruction within the Common Core Curriculum, planning for post-secondary education, strategies for supporting students with both Down syndrome and Autism, and maximizing inclusion opportunities for students in sub-separate settings.
Mark your calendars and Save the Date!
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Education Director Joins MDSC Management Team
We are delighted to welcome Maureen (Mo) Blazejewski as the new Education Director for the MDSC. Ms. Blazejewski is an accomplished professional in the field of education with more than 17 years of experience in a variety of education roles including: Special Education Teacher, Inclusion Specialist, and Educational Consultant. She has two education degrees - a Master's Degree from Wheelock College and Bachelor's degree from Stonehill College.
You may recall that Ms. Blazejewski was recently honored at the MDSC Annual Conference, where she received the Educators Award for her work with the Learning Program here in Massachusetts. She also has a niece with Down syndrome so she is very connected to the needs of our community.
Mo will be responsible for overseeing and implementing educational programs for the MDSC and will be available to provide resources and information to parents on all types of education related topics. She will also work with the MDSC Education Task Force to ensure that the MDSC continues to bring best practices in educating students with Down syndrome to the region.
You can reach Mo with questions at mblazejewski@mdsc.org.
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Join MDSC All Stars vs. Past Bruins Greats
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New Family Socials Mean "We Are Not Alone."
On Saturday July 13, the MDSC hosted its 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.
One attendee was Jessica Young, whose son Connor is pictured below. She had this to say: "My husband and I have found the New Family Socials extremely comforting. It has shown us that we are not alone and we have resources.We have learned from other parents who are facing the same challenges and struggles. I enjoy seeing the 'newer' parents too and offering words of wisdom that helped us through a tough time."
Save the date for our next New Family Social on Saturday Sept. 21, from 10am - Noon. Grandparents, siblings, a friend... all are welcome.Click here for a flyer with complete information.
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Community Speaks Up About 'Silencing' Down Syndrome's Extra Chromosome
No matter, where you stand, it was an emotional week in the Down syndrome community. A groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature seems to indicate that our community may face a future marked by unimaginable changes, including talk of "chromosomal therapy" for people with Down syndrome. According to the paper, scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have established the ability to silence the expression of most of the genes on the third copy of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome.
This appears to be one of the most significant scientific advancements in the field since Down syndrome was first identified as a chromosomal condition in 1959. As Executive Director Maureen Gallagher said in her message to members, "It's important for us to understand that any direct therapeutic implications as a result of this new research is many years away and that it will bring with it many ethical and emotional issues for the Down syndrome community."
Whatever your opinion, we want the MDSC to be able to provide a forum for you to express it. Let us know how you feel. You can post on our Facebook page (as long as you do it respectfully) or email us at mdsc@mdsc.org.
Given these and other developments that are bringing Down syndrome to national attention, the MDSC is working harder than ever to educate the public about the value of all people with Down syndrome and the contributions they make to the world.
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Hundreds to Flock to 3rd Buddy Walk By the Sea in Falmouth this Saturday
 | | Looking Back at the 2012 Buddy Walk by the Sea |
Join us Saturday, July 27 at the 3rd Annual Buddy Walk by the Sea at Falmouth Marine Park to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome in the South Shore, Cape, and Island communities.
Online registration closes TODAY at 4 p.m.
Walk-ins will still be welcome, though event t-shirts are guaranteed only to those who pre-register. Pre-walk festivities begin at 9 a.m. The weather prediction is partly cloudy and warm- a perfect combination for our morning celebration!
REGISTER HERE!
Here's what you can expect:
- Light Breakfast
- Live Music by the Toe Jam Puppet Band Pirate Show
- 1.2-mile Walk
- Dance Party with DJ Dan'O on the Bandshell stage
- Auction/Raffle Wrap-up
- Complimentary Homemade Ice Cream by Smitty's
- Face-painting, Treasure Maps, Pirate Tattoos, and Walk-the-Plank Games at the Arts & Crafts Tent.
Thank you to our sponsors!
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20 Runners to Tackle Falmouth Road Race And Support People with Down Syndrome
The morning of August 11, 20 remarkable people, known as "Team Get Real", will embark on a 7-mile run along the Cape Cod Coast in support of people with Down syndrome. These runners, representing the MDSC at the 41st running of the Historic Falmouth Road Race, are:
Robert Wirtanen of Westminister
Lisa Adelman of Middleboro
Danielle Athanasiadis of Lexington
Cari Davenport of West Bridgewater
Suzanne Diercksen
Theresa Gallagher of Needham
David Granfors of Holliston
Maggie Heffernan of Newton
Ara and Lisa Kouchakdjian of Sudbury
Gina Kucker of Haverhill
Emily LaMarca of Clinton
Chrystal Liss of Stoneham
Meaghan Ohrenberger of Quincy
Rachel Owen of Trumbull, CT.
Michael Pettinella of Grafton
Danny Roads of Marblehead
Jenna Rutkowski of Morristown, NJ.
Maria Tatarczuk of Lexington
Emily Winsor of Dorchester
Support Team Get Real
We can't say enough about these individuals, each of whom is raising critical funds for the MDSC and awareness about Down syndrome. You can read more about each of these competitors here
 One of them is Danielle Athanasiadis of Lexington, pictured to the right with her family. Danielle is running the race for the first time in honor of her daughter Emily, who has Down syndrome. "These 12 years with Emily have been very fulfilling," Danielle says. "She has helped me become who I am today. I am a very proud mother who has learned that it is ok to fall. All you need to do is brush things off, get back up, and continue. She has shown us that in many ways. Whether through her sports, through her academic accomplishments, but most of all through her smile, love, and infectious laugh. I am beyond honored to show her that I have fallen many times in my life, that I have gotten back up, and now I can make her proud!
"I am so excited to be able to wear a number and bib as part of a team that represents a big part of my life, Emily. The MDSC is the state's Down Syndrome advocacy organization that helps families through support, conferences, social groups, educational forums, and much more. Please help me support an organization that will ensure she can continue her journey in life."
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MDSC Descends on Beacon Hill this July
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Testifying for the National Background Check Bill: Paul Willenbrock from The Arc, Ashley McAnespie of MDDC, Jane Lane of the MDSC and Erik Nordahl of the DPPC
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It has been a whirlwind July for the MDSC on Beacon Hill, as we have been busy representing the interests of the Down syndrome community at the State House. Many of you have been central to our advocacy! Conference Committee On July 1, the state Conference Committee included funding for the MDSC in its budget for the second consecutive year. We thank the Conference Committee members including co-chairs Senator Stephen Brewer and Representative Brian Dempsey, as well as Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker Robert DeLeo for their support. Thanks to all of you who made calls on our behalf to your legislators! This funding is critical to the continuation of the MDSC's educational outreach programs that help the 5,000 families who are a part of the MDSC network. National Background Check Bill On July 9, the MDSC headed up a broad coalition of advocacy groups to testify in the support of the National Background Check Bill. Under current law, those hired to work with people with developmental disabilities are required to have a state criminal background check, but not a national check, meaning that people with criminal records outside Massachusetts can unknowingly be hired to work directly with people with developmental disabilities in the Baystate. We are grateful to have the support of the Mass Advocates Standing Strong (MASS), the Disability Law Center (DLC), the Arc of Massachusetts and the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP). We also have been meeting with leaders from key government agencies who have expressed support of this bill including the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Department of Public Safety (DPS), Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS), Disabled Persons Protection Committee (DPPC), and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC). We also have the support of 64 legislative co-sponsors.
Real Lives Bill
 On July 16, the MDSC and our disability partners were back at the State House testifying on behalf of the Real Lives Bill. H.B. 151, An Act to Ensure Responsibility, Cost Effectiveness and Meaningful Lives for Individuals with Disabilities, is sponsored by Representative Tom Sannicandro. See a Fact Sheet here.
Kathy submitted our Real Lives Petition, an impressive list that includes more than 100 signatories declaring their support for this critical legislation. The Real Lives Bill promises to change the way developmental services are delivered by shifting the balance of power away from the legislature and into the hands of those actually using the services. Individuals or their legally designated representatives - with oversight from the state - could design their own "person-centered plans" to determine how to best use the taxpayer money they are qualified to receive.
What Can You Do?
In a nutshell, you can thank your lawmakers for supporting funding in its budget for the MDSC's programs. This is especially true if your legislator is on the Conference Committee. Regarding the Real Lives Bill and the National Background Check Bill, please call your Senator and Representative to ask for their support. You can find out who your elected officials are here. See the Statewide Platform page of our website here. If you want to be more involved in the MDSC's legislative efforts, join our Task Force or find out what other opportunities there are at timetospeakout@mdsc.org.
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Call for Participants: Literacy Study in Ds
Dr. David Koppenhaver of Appalachian State University is looking for children and adolescents, ages 5-18 years, with Down syndrome to participate in a new study investigating reading comprehension abilities.The study requires an interactive reading assessment conducted online with parent assistance and lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Children will be asked to read words and stories, listen to stories, and to answer questions based on the reading and listening. 
See here for complete information about this an other studies approved by the the MDSC's Medical & Scientific Advisory Council.
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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MDSC Self-Advocate Programs Wrap Up Year with Successes and Thanks 
With the MDSC's Self-Advocate programs closing up shop for the summer, there was a lot to reflect on and be thankful for this past year.
On June 23, Advocates in Motion participants and their families capped off the year at Town Line Ten Pin in Malden, where they held a lighthearted party with some heavy lifting. Thanks to Anthony DeCotis and Danielle Cassiani for the use of their bowling alley (and to John Crookes for his photos). The year was full of good times, but also lots of educational experiences that helped enhance participants' social skills, foster leadership and self-advocacy skills, boost self-confidence, promote fitness and healthy living, and improve job and career skills. AIM also provides community service opportunities, and encourages social relationships between youth with and without Down syndrome. Read more about A.I.M. here.
On June 25, the nine members of the MDSC's Self-Advocate Advisory Council (SAAC) came together at the MDSC office to meet and celebrate. They had a lot to celebrate indeed. Kate Bartlett graduated from Middlesex Community College; John Dunleavy received a Gold medal for the 50m freestyle and Silver medal for the 50m breast stroke at a recent Special Olympics event at Boston University; Melissa Reilly was hired part-time in Senator Jamie Eldridge's office; and Ashley Wolfe, Melissa Reilly, and Louis Sciuto are all celebrating birthdays in June and July.
Our Self-Advocate programs this year would not have been possible without the generous support of Walmart. In November, the Walmart Foundation awarded $30,000 to the MDSC's Advocates in Motion Programs (including A.I.M. and the SAAC). The grant is part of the Walmart Foundation's State Giving Program in which State Advisory Councils, made up of Walmart associates representing each state, determine organizations that are doing important work within the community. We are honored to have been given this recognition by Walmart. The grant money went towards continued efforts to expand opportunities for self-advocates, including scholarships to participate in the Annual Conference and AIM: Teen and Young Adult Program, networking events for adults, and technology.
We thank Walmart and all our Corporate Partners whose generous contributions have allowed the MDSC to achieve our mission and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
 | Back row (L to R): Philip Donahue, Kate Bartlett, Ashley Wolfe, Chris May, Ben Majewski
Front row (L to R): Louis Sciuto, Melissa Reilly, Jillian Berube, John Dunleavy. |
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