Mark your calendar to join hundreds of parents and educators on Tuesday, Nov. 18 in Worcester at our 10th 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 breakout sessions will mirror the content of our soon-to-be-released comprehensive Educator's Manual, "Meaningful Inclusion for Students with Down Syndrome - A Resource Guide for Elementary Educators"
This year's Keynote Speaker is Dr. Bill Henderson, the recently  retired principal of the O'Hearn School in Dorchester, MA (which has been renamed the William W. Henderson Elementary Inclusion School). Dr. Henderson is a disability advocate and author, most recently, of "The Blind Advantage: How Going Blind Made me a Stronger Principal and how Including Children with Disabilities Made the School Better for Everyone."
Stay tuned to email updates and our Facebook page for more information!
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Joe Campagna - Youngest Player Ever to Play in Boston Bruins Alumni Hockey Game
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It may be the beginning of summer, but for true Bruins fans, hockey season is always just around the corner.
Sign up now to join the MDSC All Stars and you'll find yourself on November 23 at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough playing head-to-head against past Bruins greats like Ray Bourque, Terry O'Reilly, Bob Beers, Reggie Lemelin, Glen Featherstone, Kenny Hodge, Rick Middleton, Tom Songin, Bob Sweeney, and Andy Brickley. See the entire Bruins Alumni roster here.
The game is for ages 18+ with a few spots for 13-17 year olds. And the player who fundraises the most gets to be a Bruin for the day and play on their team!
For more information contact Development Director Becca Canavan at hockey@mdsc.org.
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New Family Social
Saturday July 12, 10 a.m. to Noon, MDSC Office, Burlington
Join us for our next New Family Social on May 3 at the MDSC's Burlington office. The gatherings 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. To RSVP or for more information, email Family Support Director Sarah Cullen at scullen@mdsc.org.
Scavenger Hunt & Picnic for Adults
Sunday June 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Houghton's Pond, Milton
Join the MDSC's Self Advocate Advisory Council on June 29 as they host a scavenger hunt and picnic for their June social event. Adults with Down syndrome ages 21 and over and their friends are invited to the event, which will be held at Houghton's Pond, part of the Blue Hills Reservation. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Participants are asked to bring their main meal. Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothing and footwear and a hat and sunscreen if necessary. Please see the invitation for complete details. RSVP to Colleen and Mychelle at saac@mdsc.org or 781-221-0024 x207.
Down Syndrome Advocacy Day at Lowell Spinners
Sunday August 10, 3:05 game, LeLacheur Park, Lowell
Join the MDSC Self Advocate Advisory Council on August 10 when the Lowell Spinners celebrate Down Syndrome Advocacy Day. Invitation to follow. The baseball stadium has many great activities for the whole family that you will be able to take advantage of during the game!
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Buddy Walk Season Sets Sail with Walk By the Sea
Registration Open for All Three Walks - Start Your Team!
Get the Buddy Walk season started right at our 4th Annual Buddy Walk by the Sea in Falmouth. Finish it off at 18th Annual Buddy Walk & Family Festival in Wakefield. And don't forget our Central Mass. walk in between.
At each event, you're guaranteed a fun, feel-good, family-friendly day while making a difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome. Register for any or all:
4th Buddy Walk by the Sea in Falmouth (July 27)
2nd Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair in Uxbridge (Sept. 21)
18th Buddy Walk & Family Festival in Wakefield (Oct. 12)
The Buddy Walk by the Sea will feature:
Live entertainment by The Atlantic Ave Band
K-9 Demonstration
Nautical Games & Activities
Facepainting
Auction & Raffle including photo package from Kat Newland Photography
Exhibits by MDSC First Call, MDSC Grandparents, Heartbeats for Down Syndrome
More to come!
Join any or all of our Buddy Walks in 2014 to support our mission and make a difference for your loved ones.
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In Expanded Partnership, WBZ-TV Anchor Jonathan Elias to Emcee 'Family Festival' Walk in Wakefield
We are thrilled to announce that the MDSC has embarked on a new partnership with CBS as the exclusive network sponsor of our Buddy Walk & Family Festival. The network owns more than a dozen media properties in the Boston area, including WBZ-TV, and will be promoting our Buddy Walks across their platforms.
As the centerpiece of the  partnership, Jonathan Elias, WBZ-TV's award winning news anchor and reporter, will emcee our signature walk, the Buddy Walk & Family Festival in Wakefield on Oct. 12. Jonathan anchors newscasts at 5 pm, 10 pm (on sister station TV38) and 11 pm.
Come celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month at the MDSC's largest public awareness and fundraising event where thousands of people pledge their support and walk together around beautiful Lake Quannapowitt.
Also, look for a  celebrity-studded video featuring Boston sports stars, television personalities and community leaders speaking about how people with Down syndrome are true Champions - which happens to be theme of this year's 18th Buddy Walk & Family Festival. This week,
Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, right, recorded her portion of the piece.
This year's theme "Champions!" is based on the Boston Strong mentality of people coming together to overcome challenges and the positive sense of community pride that has developed as a result.
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Twenty runners are hitting the pavement day-in  and day-out to train for the 7-mile Falmouth Road Race on August 17. These individuals are working hard not only for themselves, but to raise critical funds for people with Down syndrome. You can donate to their effort here.
You can also join their ranks because
we have 5 coveted spots left.
In fact, registration for the race is closed. But through our partnership with race organizers, you still have a chance to run Falmouth. You'll be following in the footsteps of past winners and running legends like Joan Benoit, Bill Rodgers and Alberto Salazar.
Contact Jacquie Sherman at race@mdsc.org. You can get in shape this summer and raise critical funds for people with Down syndrome.
Check out the Falmouth Road Race website here and click the map below for a detailed, interactive course map.
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Time is Running Out in Legislative Session!
Please take these easy steps to support the National Background Check Bill, which would close a gaping loophole that puts our loved ones at risk.
- Identify your state representative and senator here.
- Call or email them
- Use this script. Edit it to make if personal if possible.
The bill, our top priority, passed a huge hurdle when it was passed favorably out our Judiciary Committee. It is now before the Ways & Means Committee, but time is running out in the legislative session.
If your legislator is on Ways & Means, it is especially important to reach out.
Read our Fact Sheet here. And remember to let your friends and followers on Twitter know to #passtheNBCbill.
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Karrlsson-Willis Hosts; Bruins Great Sweeney Adds Celebrity
Hosted by Paul Karrlsson-Willis (above right), Chair of the MDSC's Business Advisory Council, the 7th Annual Golf-a-Thon was held Monday, June 2 and raised critical funds for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
The event was held under picture perfect skies at the award-winning course at the Turner Hill Golf Club in Ipswich. Sponsored by ITG Canada, the tournament raises money through personal fundraising and major sponsorship from global and local businesses.
Nineteen teams of four took the course in a bramble style tournament. Bruins star Bob Sweeney (in the blue Polo shirt above) participated as our celebrity golfer. Self advocates John Dunleavy and John Anton were featured speakers at a formal awards dinner following the tournament.
The final shot on the course belonged to James "Jimmy" Duncan, whose win in a Celebrity Challenge gave him one chance to hit a hole-in-one on a par 3 for a $1 million prize. He missed.
See our video slideshow of the event here.
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 Dr. Brian Skotko and his research team at Mass General Hospital Down Syndrome Program are conducting a protocol for a drug that might improve cognitive capacities in some people with Down syndrome.
180 people with Down syndrome will take part in this study, which is being funded by F. Hoffman-LaRoche, the maker of the study drug. The clinical trial will evaluate the effects of the study drug on learning, memory, and language abilities in people with Down syndrome ages 12- 30 years.
MassGeneral Hospital is now enrolling interested participants and has the ability to enroll up to 20 subjects. Currently there are spots available for ages 12-18.
Parking will be validated and subjects will be compensated up to $750 for their participation. To see if your family member is eligible to take part in the study, see these frequently asked questions.
If interested or if you have questions, contact Mary Ellen McDonough, RN, Senior Clinical Research Coordinator in the MassGeneral Hospital Down Syndrome program at mmcdonough13@partners.org or call her at 617-643-5571.
Note: The MDSC is informing you of this research on behalf of MassGeneral Hospital Down Syndrome Program. The MDSC is dedicated to ensuring that all members have information about and access to the latest research opportunities; we review each research proposal for content, ethics, and feasibility before forwarding information to you. At no time does the MDSC sell or share your MDSC member contact information with researchers. The MDSC will not be informed by the researchers about who agrees to participate in this research. Your agreement to participate or not to participate will in no way impact any services, support, or resources that you receive from the MDSC. To read about this and other Research Opportunities, go here.
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