Thanks to our Sponsor
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'Full Life Ahead' Series Tackles Community Mapping
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DADS members Shannon and KC Paul have set up a "Sibshop" on January 18, 2014 for the siblings of children with Down syndrome. It will be held from 11:30am-2:30pm. Pizza will be served at 11:30am and workshop(s) will start at noon. It will be held at the ARC in Attleboro, 141 Park Street. Please RSVP to Shannon/KC at kscpn5@gmail.com if your child will be attending. When RSVP'ing please indicate the age of the children. Space is limited. This will be for all ages but will split into groups so they may have to run two workshops. Funding for this event has been generously donated by 21 FrienDS. Please visit here for more information about Sibshops.
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MDSC Receives $30,000 Grant for 2nd Straight Year
We are thrilled to announce that for the second consecutive year, the Walmart Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to the MDSC's Advocates in Motion Programs (including A.I.M. and the S.A.A.C.).
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 will go 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.
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MDSC is proud to participate in the John Hancock Non-Profit Marathon Program again in 2014.
Our 2014 runners are Ivana Culic, Emily LaMarca, Sarah McKitterick, Josefina Oliva, Kari Olsen, Holly Salegna, Andrew Thompson, and Jim & Colby Wagoner. We are very fortunate to have such passionate and committed runners supporting our cause and promoting acceptance and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome.
To learn more about our runners and donate directly to them, visit www.crowdrise.com/mdsc2014bostonmarathon.
We are still accepting applications from qualified or deferred runners. Please e-mail race@mdsc.org for more information.
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Share Your K-6 Ed Photos for Publication
Do you have an inspiring photo of your loved one with Down syndrome in an educational setting that you're willing to share?
Then send it to us for possible inclusion in our first Educators Manual, to be published early next year.
We need pictures of elementary school children (grades K-6) to bring the manual to life. Your child could be doing virtually anything: reading, writing, working with math problems, at the computer, using an augmentative device, signing, working in a small group, listening to a story, talking to friends, at their kindergarten graduation, doing a presentation, getting on the bus, eating lunch with friends, attending a school assembly, participating in an after-school/extra-curricular event, working on an art project, in music class, on the school playground, in gym class.
Please complete this photo release form for each individual pictured (including your own child, other children, classmates or educators). Email Joshua Komyerov, Communications & Operations Director, with any questions.
Our Education Task Force has been working on the comprehensive Educator's Manual for more than two years. The Manual includes best practices to guide educators in making the accommodations and adaptations necessary to best teach students with Down syndrome.
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Greetings!
Happy holidays from all of us at the MDSC.
We are appreciative for everything you have done for people with Down syndrome in 2013.We'll be back in 2014 with more strong programs and initiatives to ensure that all people with Down syndrome have opportunities to lead meaningful fulfilling lives in the commuity.
Best wishes to you and your family for a holiday season filled with hope, happiness and love.
Warm Regards,
Maureen Gallagher
Executive Director
Louise Borke
Board Chair |
John Dunleavy Featured on NESN's 'Behind the B'
Self Advocate Advisory Council member John Dunleavy was recently featured on NESN's Behind the B, a show all about the Boston Bruins. John is a full-time office assistant with the Bruins and was recently invited to give a pep talk to the B's before their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. John told the team to keep their heads in the game and focus. He said having Down Syndrome does not hold him back because he is focused. The Bruins went on to victory in dramatic fashion, scoring their winning goal in overtime.
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The 'Champion' Inside of Your Loved One
Save the Date for 30th Annual Conference March 22, 2014
 For the 30th year, the MDSC is proud to host our Annual Conference on March 22, 2014. As we have for three decades, we will be 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 "Champions" in all its meanings. This year, we feel especially like champions in our region given our recent victory in the World Series and the way we remained "Boston Strong" in the wake of the marathon tragedy. It is this same power and resilience that defines the champion-like qualities of our Down syndrome community.
Every one of the 5,000 individuals with Down syndrome in Massachusetts is a champion in his or her own right. With your support, we at the MDSC are championing good public policy on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill. And together, with our Buddy Walks, educational efforts, outreach initiative and every day advocacy for our loved ones, we are champions of allowing all people with Down syndrome to reach their true potential.
So mark your calendars for March 22 and send us your photos of your loved one exhibiting his or her Champion-ness. Include a sentence or two about what aspect of Champion-hood is depicted in the image. Email your photo to MyChampion@mdsc.org
Registration will open in January. Stay tuned to our Facebook page or our UpSide Weekly for the latest.
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Feb. 8 Meeting to Focus on Down Syndrome-Autism
Our Complex Needs Support Group will meet again on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. at Children's Hospital Waltham. The session is open to all families with children with complex needs, though the meeting will have a particular focus on the co-occurrence of Down syndrome and autism.
If your loved one has a co-occurring diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism or you're wondering whether your child with Down syndrome may be affected by an autism spectrum disorder, join us.
The Down Syndrome Autism Connection (DSAC), an affiliate of the MDSC, will be heading up the meeting. They provide education, support and inspiration for the DS-ASD journey. You can also join their online chat group the second Monday night of every month at 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact dsac@mdsc.org.
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| ITG Canada Presents 7th Annual Golf-a-Thon
Event at Turner Hill in Ipswich to Benefit People with Ds
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Self-Advocates Take to Pizza Joint to Raise Funds
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Pair Takes Message of Empowerment to their Community
Matthew Cullen (left) and Liam Josephson (middle) recently participated in a fundraiser at an Ipswich pizza parlor, Pomodori Pizzeria. The guys, outfitted in employee t-shirts and hats, worked a 90-minute shift and then got dinner for free! Their hard work brought in $300 for the MDSC. Our big thanks goes out to Matthew, Liam, and Pomodori Pizza owner Peter Nikolakopoulos (right).
You too can organize your own Community Fundraiser to support people with Down syndrome and the vital programs of the MDSC. See here for more information or contact Becca Canavan, Development Associate, at bcanavan@mdsc.org
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New Family Socials Continue: Next Up... Jan. 11
The MDSC's New Family Socials continue every other month at our Burlington office. Join us Saturday, Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. for our next get-together at 20 Burlington Mall Road, Suite 261, Burlington, Mass.
New Family Socials are an opportunity for parents and other family members to meet other families with children with Down syndrome from birth to 3 years old. Families share resources, connect with each other and with the MDSC. Siblings and grandparents are always welcome, and light refreshments are served.
"New parents are often a little nervous coming for the first time, but after meeting other families and holding each other's babies, they leave feeling so upbeat and connected!" says Sarah Cullen, the MDSC Family Support Director.
For complete information on New Family Socials, including a flyer, visit here.
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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 30th Annual Conference on March 22, 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
- Media Award for a person or company who exemplifies the MDSC's mission to disseminate up-to-date information about Down syndrome
- Allen C. Crocker Award of Excellence, the highest award offered by the MDSC, for the person who most advances the Down syndrome movement
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 on the Board nominations form.
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