Registration is now closed 
but don't fret!
WALK-INS WELCOME*
DCU Center, Worcester, Mass. 
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

REGISTRATION OPENS AT 7

Please note: Space remains for Parent, Educator and Sibling tracks. 

Our Self Advocate Program is at capacity

  

HAPPY WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY 

Iconic Zakim Bridge to Be Aglow 

in Symbolic Colors of Down Syndrome Tonight!

and other exciting news!    

The Leonard P. Zakim Bridge, the iconic landmark that overlooks parts of downtown Boston and the Boston Harbor, will be aglow in blue and yellow TONIGHT to celebrate World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. 

Two years ago, the Zakim Bridge was equipped with state-of-the-art lights, which allowed it to shine brighter and with a range of colors. Since then, it has often been used to celebrate special occasions. 

For the Down syndrome community, there is no more special day than March 21, World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. Down syndrome is defined by a person having 3 copies of the 21st chromosome, hence 3/21. 

People from throughout the region have said they were overjoyed with the recognition.

"I have a 6 year old daughter with Down syndrome and I am beyond excited to see this," said Jennifer Rahwan, a former waitress at the Pour House in downtown Boston who left her job to be home with her daughter. "I want to take a picture of this. Finally the world is getting things right and recognizing Down syndrome." 

"I love Boston," said a mom from Sharon. "My 2 year old daughter has Down syndrome and March 21 is also her birthday! This is so exciting!"

The excitement extends beyond Boston. For Michele Pellissier-Hoenig, the recognition on March 21 is meaningful despite her distance from the bridge. "Even though I am now living in Philly, this is special to me because of the many times I passed that bridge to go visit my son in the NICU and go to doctors appointments at Children's Hospital," she said.

In fact, the impetus for the bridge lighting came from somewhere just as close to Albany, New York as Boston, Mass. The idea was hatched by Toby Dowling of South Hadley, President of the Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Massachusetts. Dowling's sister has Down syndrome and her sister-in-law, Paula Simmons, works at Mass Highway, which manages the bridge. Simmons used her connections to make the bridge lighting happen. "I wanted to celebrate my wonderful sister-in-law, Theresa, and the rest of the Down syndrome community on this special day," Simmons said.

 

We can't wait to see our message of acceptance and inclusion shining bright for all to see!

 

See the story on Boston.com

WGBH BUILDING TO FEATURE MDSC 

Digital Mural overlooking Mass Pike to Highlight Down Syndrome Awareness on Saturday 

 

More exciting news to share related to Down Syndrome Awareness Day and our 30th Annual Conference. 

 

On Saturday, the huge Digital Mural on the side of WGBH studios that overlooks the Mass Pike in Allston will be highlighting Down syndrome awareness, featuring photos from the MDSC, including shots of Lyla Dolly, AIM member Brendan Durkin and dancers with the Boston Ballet Adaptive Dance Program. See photos below. 

 

You may even want to take the Mass Pike when heading home from our Annual Conference Saturday just to take a peek. And if you take a few photos, be sure to them our way.... [email protected]

 

Read more about the WGBH digital mural here. 

 

30th Annual Conference

Several Events in One 

Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon 

in addition to expert sessions

   

Every year, the morning of our Annual Conference, the MDSC holds our Annual Meeting, where members get an overview of our work over the last year and the latest updates of what we have in store. The Annual Meeting is at 8 a.m. in Room A of the DCU Center. All are welcome to attend, and a special breakfast is included.

 

Separately, the MDSC will host a Diversity Breakfast that morning for culturally diverse families from 7:45 - 8:45am in the 2nd floor lounge area of the DCU Center.

 

At our Annual Awards Luncheon we will honor those individuals who have made a significant impact on the Down syndrome community. We will present our Media Award, Educator of the Year Award, Leadership Award and Allen Crocker Award of ExcellencePlus, we will unveil our Champions Video Collage, featuring MDSC member-submitted photos, all on the theme of Champions! 

 

Our luncheon has also become the perfect forum to highlight the individuality and determination of MDSC self-advocates. Participants in our Self Advocate track will make a Grand Entrance to get the ballroom at the DCU Center on its feet.   


Registration is now closed 
but don't fret!
WALK-INS WELCOME*
DCU Center, Worcester, Mass. 
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

REGISTRATION OPENS AT 7 A.M.

Please note: Space remains for Parent, Educator and Sibling tracks. 

Our Self Advocate Program is at capacity

  

Special Thanks to our Sponsors