Scholarship for NDSC Annual Conference

One $200 scholarship is available to a member of the Michiana Down Syndrome Group to attend the 40^th Annual National Down Syndrome Conference.  Applicants must be an active member of the Michiana Down Syndrome group and have participated in group activities including volunteering.  By accepting the scholarship the recipient understands that they will be required to share conference information at a parent support meeting.

The Conference is in Washington DC on July 19^th- 22^nd.  For specifics on the Conference please visit their website:  http://convention.ndsccenter.org/

Additionally, 50% of the expenses up to $1000 can be obtained by applying to the Governor’s Council (http://www.in.gov/gpcpd/).  Mini Grants can also be applied.

Application Deadline is May 15, 2012   

Click here for application

From the blog Praying for Parker  (go to the link for a beautiful picture of Parker)

“I’ve always known that language shapes perception. That is why I fight so hard against the use of the r-word. But this, this never even made my radar. Maybe it’s because I don’t focus on the Down syndrome as much as I do about the whole keeping a kid alive thing. A quote by Rose Mordi, Nigeria at the UN conference on World Down Syndrome Day: “Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosome arrangement that has always been part of the human condition.” …..naturally occurring. Not an abnormality. Not a disorder. Not ‘What’s wrong with him?” Not a 90% abortion rate.

I have a naturally occurring chromosome arrangement that has always been part of the human condition. My life has just as much value as any other, including yours. Can you imagine a doctor walking in and saying, “Your baby has Down syndrome. Don’t worry though. Children have been born with Down syndrome since the beginning of time. Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosome arrangement that has always been part of the human condition. Your child will be blessed to be a member of an amazing population of people that make this world a better place to live in.” Something as simple as the language we use could change the perception of how the world views my child and so many other children. What a wonderful, wonderful world it would be.”

New Advances and Updates for Today’s Physicians,
Educators and Families

A Board-certified clinical geneticist at Children’s Hospital Boston, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Skotko has dedicated his professional energies toward children with cognitive and development disabilities. He is one of the specialists in the Down Syndrome Program at Children’s Hospital Boston. In 2001 he co-authored the national award-winning book, Common Threads: Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome and, most recently, Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters. He is a graduate of Duke University, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Kennedy School. Dr. Skotko recently authored major research on how physicians deliver a diagnosis of Down syndrome to new and expectant parents. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The L.A. Times, NPR’s “On Point,” and ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Dr. Skotko serves on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, the National Down Syndrome Society, Band of Angels Foundation. He further serves on the Professional Advisory Council to the National Down Syndrome Congress. For more information about Dr. Skotko visit his website at www.brianskotko.com.

February 22, 2012     Prenatal and Postnatal Diagnoses
7:00 – 8:30pm
Mini Medical School at Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall
1234 Notre Dame Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617
In this presentation, Dr. Brian Skotko reviews the upcoming prenatal testing for Down syndrome, and the national efforts to ensure that all expectant couples receive accurate and up-to-date information. He also offers specific examples on how all parents can play an advocacy role on both small and large scales. The presentation includes highlights from his publications in Pediatrics and American Journal of Medical Genetics. (This presentation is targeted toward parents and other non-professionals.)

February 23, 2012     Healthy Students with Down Syndrome
11:00am – 1:00pm
Luncheon hosted at LOGAN Center – 2505 E. Jefferson Blvd, S. Bend.
For: Parents, Therapists, Educators – includes box lunch
RSVP Required to Kathy at Kathy_R@comcast.net or 574-234-0590
All the Medical Updates that Educators Need to Know. How might behaviour problems in the classroom be the result of an underlying medical issue? How do the conditions that go along with Down syndrome affect learning? In this presentation, Dr. Brian Skotko reviews all of the questions and concerns that educators most often have about their students with Down syndrome. He provides the answers and action steps, stemming from the latest clinical research on people with Down syndrome. Based on his clinical experience in the Down Syndrome Program at Children’s Hospital Boston, Dr. Skotko provides suggestions on how educators can collaborate most effectively with parents and clinicians to maximize students’ potential.

Click her for event flyer Dr.SkotkoEventFlyer

October 22, 2011
10:00am to 6:00pm
Need Volunteers for 2 hour shifts
Click here for more info: Martin’s BBQ

October 27 changed to the 26th, 2011: Newborn to 3yrs Parent Meeting Click here for info: Newborn to 3yrs Parent Meetin1

        Fall Party!

October 29, 2011
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Glen Bauer Shelter at Bendix 
Woods Park , New Carlisle
For more info click here:  2011halloweenparty  

Participate in the 10th Annual Walk for Down Syndrome and experience the spirit of the Irish!

October 1, 2011
University of Notre Dame
Stepan Center

 Activities start at 9:30am
Walk starts at 12:30pm

 Get to the walk early so you have time to: 

• Purchase your raffle tickets
• Participate in the silent auction
• Let the kids play carnival games
• Visit our informational vendors
• Purchase your 2012 Calendar
• Enjoy the entertainment – Leonardo!
• Mingle and make new friends

We are very proud to reach our 10^th year milestone. Our first walk had around 300 walkers and earned just over $13,000.This year we anticipate over 750 walkers and hope to earn over $40,000.

Make collecting donations from family and friends easy by creating your own personalized donation web page.  You can customize your web page with your child’s picture and add a personal comments and thank you note. Then, all you have to do is email your page to all your family and friends.   It’s easy to do! To get started, go to:http://www.firstgiving.com/mds/10th-annual-michiana-walk-for-down-syndrome

For more information about our prizes, entertainment, sponsor and vendors please click the walk icon in the upper right corner of this web site.

July 28, 2011 : Newborn to 3yrs Parent Meeting
Click her for info: Newborn to 3yrs Parent Meetin1

August 13, 2011: Family Picnic & New Family Welcome Party
Click her for info: 2011 family picnic

August 25, 2011:  Newborn to 3yrs Parent Meeting
click July flyer above.

Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 8am-12pm
Join us to help raise funds for the
Down Syndrome Family Support and Advocacy Group

 We will have 30 minute fitness classes running continually.
We suggest a $15 donation or whatever amount you can afford.
Click here for full Flyer: fitstopfundraiser

You’re invited to the
Down Syndrome Family Support & Advocacy Group
2011 Talent Show

When: May 20, 2011
Where: Little Flower Church
(54191 North Ironwood Road, South Bend, IN 46635)
Time: 6:00 pm
What to bring: A side dish to share
Click her for full flyer:talentshowinvite

March 5, 2011 – Special Needs Resource and Transition Fair
Click here for more info: 2011 resource Fair

March 12, 2011 – Walk with Us in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Click here for more info: StPat’sParadeFlyer & ParadeMap-2011

March 16, 2011- Parent Support Meeting from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Michiana Down Syndrome Resource Center, Mishawaka

March 19, 2011 – Solace Yoga donation class for beginners to intermediate. Click here for more info: Yoga Donation Class at Solace

March 21, 2011 – World Down Syndrome Day!Open house at The Michiana Down Syndrome Resource Center. Click here for more info: Open House World DS Day

March 22, 2011 – Talk presented by Dr. Patrica White-Flately on ”Rethinking Down Syndrome:  Revolutionary Research Advances” at 7 p.m. at the ND Co-Mo Center.  Event sponsored by the ND Right to Life.

March 26, 2011- Kimberly Voss Conference
Click here for more info:  KimberlyVossBrochure