WDSD NATIONAL MERCHANDISE PARTNERS

from World Down Syndrome Day:

Below is a list of our WDSD NATIONAL MERCHANDISE PARTNERS who may be able to offer our range of LOTS OF SOCKS logo socks and t-shirts, or WDSD t-shirts, subject to availability.
If you are based in one of these countries, please contact them first for WDSD Merchandise. If not available there, go ahead and purchase from our ONLINE SHOP.

ALBANIA - Jonathan Center
GRENADA - Grenada Down Syndrome Association martalanza@hotmail.com
GEORGIA - Association of Professionals and Parents of Children with Down Syndrome "Our Children"
IRAQ - Down Syndrome Association of Iraq (Hiba Centre for Down Syndrome)
IRELAND - Down Syndrome Ireland
LUXEMBURG - Trisomie21.Lu
MACAU (CHINA) - Macau Down Syndrome Association
NIGERIA - Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria
SINGAPORE - Down Syndrome Association Singapore
SOUTH AFRICA - Down Syndrome South Africa
SOUTH KOREA - Korea Down Syndrome Society
UNITED KINGDOM (England & Wales) - Down's Syndrome Association
UNITED KINGDOM (Northern Ireland) - Down's Syndrome Association

If you are not able to make contact with the organisation in your country, please contact Down Syndrome International for assistance.

World Down Syndrome Day!

from World Down Syndrome Day:

21 March 2014 marks the 9th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day and each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder. But there is still so much more we can do.
Down Syndrome International encourages our friends all over the world to choose your own activities and events to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities. We will share your WDSD World Events on our dedicated WDSD website in a single global meeting place.
For WDSD 2014, DSi is focusing on:

“Health and Wellbeing - Access and Equality for All”

All people with Down syndrome have the right to access healthcare when required on an equal basis with others without discrimination and with proper assessment of the specific health needs of the individual. We will be highlighting that:

1. Having Down syndrome does not make a person unhealthy.
2. Down syndrome is a genetic condition, not an illness.
3. People with Down syndrome may have health issues throughout their lives, just like everyone else and they should have access to healthcare on an equal basis with others.
4. There are specific known health issues which may affect people with Down syndrome, for which accurate, evidence based information is available.
5. Health professionals should be aware of these specific issues when treating a person with Down syndrome.
6. Health professionals should not discriminate against people with Down syndrome by:

• refusing to treat them;
• blaming health issues on Down syndrome in general, or;
• considering only specific known health issues which may affect people with Down syndrome.

Our WDSD Global Video Event and WDSD Conference will both explore this important area of focus.
If you would like to join this campaign, then we very much welcome its adoption into your plans for WDSD 2014.

Once again in 2014, we are inviting everyone across the world to wear LOTS OF SOCKS on 21 March to get people talking about WDSD.
You can also participate in our WDSD activities by nominating someone for the WDSD Awards, you can join us on our various WDSD Social Media channels, and you can promote our WDSD Patrons Messages.

Whatever you plan to do, lets create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome on 21 March.

Additional materials for WDSD 2014:
WDSD 2014 - General Poster - 2014 (print ready versions of this are available in A3 and A4 paper sizes)
WDSD 2014 - Health Poster - 2014 (print ready versions of this are available in A3 and A4 paper sizes)

Group dispels Down syndrome myths

by Kelly Bothum from the News Journal / Delaware Online:
Like many girls her age, 7-year-old Kayla Kosmalski is rarely at a loss for words.
So when she meets someone for the first time, she's got plenty to say. She might talk about what she's learning in her second-grade class at Cedar Lane Elementary School near Middletown. She might show off a new move learned in her hip-hop class or strum a few chords on her guitar.
Or she might tell you that she was born with Down syndrome, a genetic condition that occurs when a person is born with a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21.
Years ago, that diagnosis could have meant a life with diluted expectations, little social interaction and limited educational opportunities.
But that's not been the case for Kayla, who learns in a classroom that includes those with disabilities as well as those without them. She takes dance classes and swim lessons with typically abled peers and friends who see Kayla – her sunny personality, radiant good looks and loving heart – rather than an extra chromosome.
It's the kind of life Kayla's parents, Rick and Amy Kosmalski, have worked hard to give their daughter. And it's what pushes them to advocate on behalf of other families raising children with disabilities. The Kosmalskis, along with eight other families, recently formed the 321foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advocate for people with Down syndrome and their loved ones.
"People today with Down syndrome are going to school with their peers. They're doing the same things as their peers. They may have more medical complications, like heart surgeries, but once you get past those medical symptoms that go along with it, they're driving cars, getting married, getting jobs," said Rick Kosmalski, Kayla's dad.
World Down Syndrome Day will be held March 21, a date intended to signify the uniqueness of having three 21st chromosomes, which leads to Down syndrome. Across the globe, people are encouraged to wear bold, mismatched socks with the hope that the fun footwear could inspire people to ask questions that lead to a discussion about Down syndrome.
"The only way to make something better is to get acceptance from people in the community. The only way to get acceptance is to have them understand it," Kosmalski said. "Knowledge leads to acceptance."

3rd World Down Syndrome Day Conference, 3/21 UN Headquarters NYC

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN AND FREE OF CHARGE – REGISTER ONLINE HERE TODAY

We urge you to come along in person to the 2014 WDSD Conference to show your support and to help us to represent people with Down syndrome with a single global voice at the United Nations!

Down Syndrome International is delighted to announce that the 3rd World Down Syndrome Day Conference, based on the theme "Health and Wellbeing - Access and Equality for All" will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA on 21 March 2014 in the Economic and Social Council Chamber from 1.30pm-6pm.

Confirmed speakers include:

Dr William Mobley - United States - Distinguished Professor, Chair of the Department of Neurosciences and Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Center for Research and Treatment at UC San Diego and the Florence Riford Chair of Alzheimer Disease Research.

Dr Yvonne Maddox - United States - Deputy Director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health and Chair of The Down Syndrome Consortium.

Dr George Capone - United States - Director of the Down Syndrome Clinic and Research Center (DSCRC) at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Member of Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group- USA.

Dr John Mayer - United States - Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Past Chair, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Cardiac Surgeon, Boston Children’s Hospital.

Special Olympics/UNICEF - "Healthy Athletes" Health Screening and Intervention Program for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Professor S Suresh - India - Chief Medical Director, MediScan Systems, Chennai, India.

Sheila Heslam - United Kingdom - Services Director, Down's Syndrome Association, presenting with self-advocate Sara Pickard on new Adult Health Book for people with Down syndrome to use with their medical practitioners, prepared in consultation with people with Down syndrome, their families and doctors.

'Odd Socks' music video for World Down Syndrome Day by Agi and Magsi

'Odd Socks' music video for World Down Syndrome Day by Agi and Magsi
by Agnieszka Kolaczynska

Wear odd socks for world Down syndrome day!

To find out why go to my latest blogpost on www.agnieszkaproductions.co.uk

We make documentaries about our lives together and release them annually, here is the first one : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P61qn7aguJo and here is the second one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6jIVTEWBhQ 

The third one is out soon-subscribe to my facebook page agnieszkaproductions to get latest film & blog news.

Music is: "Beautiful Uncertainty" by Kuba Oms.starring Magsi & Agi.
Buy Song: http://VideoStarApp.com/BeautifulUncertainty Please share freely and comment below if you enjoy it!

Song honoring WDSD 2013

from Natalie Burgess Alberts:
Hello! My 16 month old son, Jarom, hase Down syndrome and is the light of my life. I am celebrating World Down Syndrome Day 2013 with the release of a song I wrote specifically for this occaison, "Angel With a Broken Wing". I would be honored if you would share the link below to my webpage so I can share the joy I have found in this journey. The song can be streamed over the internet, and/or purchased by download. 10% of the proceeds will go towards Down syndrome research and the download is only $0.75

Stream or download Natalie's song "Angel With a Broken Wing" here.

A Mother's reflection on WDSD 2013

World Down Syndrome Day 2013

by Katie from 5 boys and 1 girl make 6:
I write this post in honor of my daughter Grace and for the many Mothers that walked before me paving the way for my daughter and all people living with a disability.   My life changed the day I was told my child would be born with Down Syndrome.  The things that bothered me just hours before no longer had a place in my life.  When Grace was born our family transformed and we become more caring and accepting individuals.
I struggled this year to come up with a story to share on this very special day.  I felt like I knocked it out of the park last year when I wrote about  women who were close to me and who inspired me.  It didn’t come to me till I was photographing a very special little boy named Remy. So to Remy and his Mama I say thank you for opening yet another door of opportunity and wisdom by introducing me to Josephine Lapp.
I am sharing Josephine’s story not because she is a Mother of a child with Down Syndrome.  I am sharing her story because she was at the beginning of the movement of acceptance that started over 50 years ago.  She stimulated change in our community and for our world by not taking no for an answer and pushing through fear to find opportunity for her daughter.  Today instead of hiding our children we celebrate them.  We celebrate what makes them unique and for that I am forever thankful.
Josephine (Jo) is a mother of 3 children, 2 girls and a boy.  She is 97 years young and still advocating for Tina, her daughter who was born with a brain injury.  Sixty years ago Jo was told by the Catholic School Tina attended that she was not able to keep up.  They suggested she be put into public school where there were resources.  When Jo inquired with the public school she was told that her daughter had to be reviewed by a psychologist in order to receive special education services.  The psychologist had not been out to that school for 2 years.  Jo took matters into her own hands and utilized political contacts to get someone to review her daughters case as well as the many other children waiting for an appointment.  All the children were reviewed within two days and the only child rejected was Tina.  She was devastated, as any mother would have been, to be told that her daughter was not capable of learning.

That did not stop her.  Even though she felt lost and abandoned by the system she searched and found an article about a local organization called The Garden Center.  She found herself attending a board meeting consisting of predominately men.  Yep, she was the only women in the room.  At that time they were sharing space above a fire department that would no longer be available the coming year.  As the meeting ended the local non-board members exited the room and she spoke up.  She asked how much money the school had in their fund.  The men in the room looked at her like she had lost her mind.  She asked them again how much money was in the fund.  They finally told her 5,000.00 and she proceeded to tell them that was good because they needed that to build their own school.  She turned and asked for volunteers to help organize the plan  and no one raised their hand so she appointed men to the positions of finding land, budgets and building designs.  Within a week the land was found and volunteers were stepping up to help.  Months later the building was finished and their children had a school.
Once the school was finished she proposed a residential faculty because of the growing concern of aging  parents and students.  Within a couple years she had the residential home right next door built by 100% donations of time, money and skills.  15 students had their own rooms while sharing a living room, kitchen and multiple bathrooms.  Now Garden Center services 100′s of day program participants and houses 75 residents in a home environment.
While I was sitting in Jo’s home I could not help but be humbled by her strength and her determination.  Even now at 97 years young she is concerned about the residents that are now senior citizens.  She wants a plan in place for the aging.  She has created a beautiful  idea in her head that will make the Garden Center even more magical then it already is.
One thing I have realized this past year is that it does not matter what disability you are dealing with, or what obstacles you have been dealt in your life, it is what you do with your time.  It is what you make your passion.  Those two things can be life changing for yourself and so many other people.  Jo is an inspiration.  When she was told by a respected Doctor that her daughter was not capable of learning she cried and then she stood up and made a change.  That change paved the way for my daughter and your child.  She made sure that there was opportunity for our children to live semi independently with their peers and their friends.  She found a way to teach them life skills and give them jobs if they were capable.  Before schools like this children with developmental disabilities had very little opportunity outside of their own homes or institutions.
I asked Jo as I was leaving if she had any words of wisdom for myself and the other parents who are walking along side their children.  She told me that she would tell them to spread their love around to all their children.  She encouraged me to let all my children know how much I loved them and to spend time with my husband to show him the love he deserves.  I love that.  She is all about working hard and loving hard.
As we celebrate the extra 21st chromosome this Thursday I will remember to not only “Rock my Socks” but to continually spread myself to my family as well as to the world.  I will stand up for what I believe in.  I will encourage others who are doing amazing things just like Jo Lapp and I will help because there is a lot of work left to do.  Jo and her friends started something great and it is our turn, it is our responsibility to support it and nurture it into something even greater.
Parents are great, they are strong and our children are even stronger.  The sky is the limit for individuals with Down Syndrome and we will not accept anything less.  I am proud to be a parent of “Differently-abled” children!  Their strength and hard work inspire me every day.  So I am asking you all to take that time to get to know someone this week with Down Syndrome. Answer them when they great you with a, “hello”.  Look at them in the eye and shake their hand and don’t forget to wear crazy socks on Thursday to celebrate with us!
I am closing this post with a beautiful video produced by the IDSC in honor of our loved ones.  Our loved ones rock! We are lucky to walk next to them on their road of life. This video explains who they are and why thier life is valuable and important not only to their families but to our world.
HAPPY WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY!  OXOXO

Make World Down Syndrome Day a Day of Action

by Jen Logan of Down Wit Dat:

Thursday (3/21) is World Down Syndrome Day.  It is a day of celebration and of recognition.  It is also a day of global awareness.

Honestly, I've about had it with awareness.  I'm done, finished.  Most people are aware of Down syndrome by now.  They may not know exactly what is involved and may be very prejudicial as they base their opinions on outdated and incorrect information.  But, they know it exists.  Instead of having yet another day of awareness, I'd like to make World Down Syndrome Day one of remembrance and action.

Several things have weighed on me in the last little while.  The first is a doll, made by a mother of a 13 year old girl with Down syndrome.  They are called "Dolls for Downs" [spelled incorrectly].  The idea here is that "every child wants a doll that looks like themselves." 

I don't agree and furthermore, I am uncomfortable with these dolls in principle.

Firstly, I dislike anything that has the potential to perpetuate the stereotype that all people with Down syndrome look the same.  They don't.  My son looks like the rest of my kids;  an amalgam of mine and my husband's family.  He does not look like these dolls any more than any other child with DS that I know personally.  I find the description of "pudgy features" in the video to be extremely offensive.

Additionally, like the bald barbie debate for pediatric cancer patients, I'm going to take the stance that my son does not need this doll.  He does not need another feel good, "isn't that cute!", soft focus awareness campaign (which is what this doll will surely turn into).  He needs a medical profession who gives a damn.  He needs a society that is tolerant and accepting of neurodiversity. He needs an education system that will not decide his future based on bureaucracy and preconceived notions.  He does not need a doll whose proceeds line a private pocket, like most "awareness" paraphernalia does.

One Mom’s Wish For Her Son With Down Syndrome

by Colette Cosky from Parents.com:
To help honor World Down Syndrome Day, we asked Colette Cosky, a mother of two and a marketing executive in San Diego, to share her thoughts. After her son was born with Down syndrome, she founded the organization Down Right Awesome and helps raise awareness and support for Down syndrome research.
For me, World Down Syndrome Day is an opportunity to broaden everyone’s perception of Down syndrome by seeing it through the eyes of the families who live it. I’m one of those families; my 2-year-old son, Dexter, has Down syndrome. (There we are, in the collage.) While we all have some things in common, no experience is the same and not everyone shares the same passions or beliefs. My passion is my commitment to cognitive preservation because Dexter, like all children with Down syndrome, is predisposed to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s what I want other families to understand.
As I live my life, the pages of my mental scrapbook are filled with really big moments, with scents that take me to specific places in time, and with faces of those who’ve left my life in one way or another. It’s here I can visit my 4-year-old Eloise back when she was 2, or my Nana, who passed just a year ago. I can go to those memories at any time to rewind, re-live, and re-love.
In the early days of my experience with Down syndrome, I was consumed with all the things I thought Dexter couldn’t or wouldn’t do. Now that’s not the case. I think the only time I get anxious or sad is when society pulls out its standardized ruler and judges my son. Like now, as we search for a preschool, the experience is not the same as when we looked for our daughter. Without even meeting my son, people give us gentle letdowns explaining how the school can’t handle Down syndrome. But if they’d only put the person first, we know they’d see a kid who loves to be with others, who is fascinated by books, and who is eager to learn new things.

DSRTF: 1PM EST Webinar and 3:1 donation matching on 3/21

Your Donation Matched 3:1 on 3/21

We're thrilled to announce that In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, your donations on March 21 will be matched three to one — your $100 becomes $400, your $500 becomes $2000, and so on. This is an incredible one-day opportunity to maximize your impact on the progress of research. Plan your gift now, then donate on WDSD to take advantage of this chance to help speed science to a future of improved cognition and greater fulfillment for our loved ones with DS!

World Down Syndrome Day Webinar

Scientists used to think the intellectual disability conferred by Down syndrome was too complex to treat. But thanks to the enormous strides researchers have made, we now believe that it's not only possible to improve cognition through drug treatment, but that the goal of improved learning, memory, and speech for people with DS may be within reach.
Join us for this special World Down Syndrome Day event, when we introduce the basics of cognition research, discuss current research initiatives, and report on clinical trials now underway. Presenters from DSRTF and Roche, the global health care company, will offer an informative, accessible presentation appropriate for those new to the topic, and will answer audience questions as time allows.  Register now for this event, and join us on Thursday, March 21 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET as we share the promise science holds for our loved ones with DS.

World Down Syndrome Day 2013 - JOIN US!

World Down Syndrome Day 2013 is nearly upon us and we hope that you are all looking forward to observing 21 March in all the great ways you have chosen to. Everyone at Down Syndrome International is ready for another truly global celebration!

Here are 6 ways you can help us to raise the profile of people with Down syndrome worldwide and promote their right to be included in our communities:

1.       Watch and Share the 2013 WDSD Global Video Event http://www.ds-int.org/let-us-in-i-want-to-work

2.        Read and Share the worthy awardees of the 2013 WDSD Awards http://www.ds-int.org/release-wdsd-awards-2013

3.       Watch and Share the live UN Webcast of the 2013 WDSD UN Conference on 21 March from 10am-6pm U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (GMT -4) http://worlddownsyndromeday.org/wdsd-conference-2013

4.       Read about and Share with us details of your WDSD events on the WDSD Website Events pages http://worlddownsyndromeday.org/world-events

5.       Join our campaign to wear “Lots of Socks” on 21 March to raise awareness worldwide http://worlddownsyndromeday.org/lots-of-socks

6.       Join WDSD on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/World-Down-Syndrome-Day/148478055264021 and Twitter https://twitter.com/WorldDSDay to keep up with activities on 21 March.

Thank you so much for your support and we hope you enjoy your day.

Regards

Andrew Boys

Andrew Boys

Director

Down Syndrome International

T: 0044 (0)20 8614 5124 F: 0044 (0)0845 230 0373

M: 0044 (0)07810 153294

Email: andrew.boys@ds-int.org Website: www.ds-int.org

Join us and celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year.

www.worlddownsyndromeday.org

DSR Episode #19: Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

We got the band back together for a quick roundup of events happening in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day on 3/21.  Much like the podcast, this write up is going to be short and sweet.

To celebrate, you can:

• Attend (either in person or virtually) the World Down Syndrome Day Conference at the UN in New York.  Our tireless superhuman cohort, Rick, and his amazing daughter, Kayla, will be there.
• This year’s conference theme is “Right To Work”.  Check out this awesome video and share it in all of your social spaces.
• Wear lots of socks to get people talking and raise awareness for Down syndrome.
• Learn about the research programs and clinical trials in the DS Cognition Research 101: An Introduction webinar put on by DSRTF.
• Support cognition research by donating to DSRTF and have your donation matched three to one.  Only on March 21, your $100 donation becomes $400 in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day!!
• Do something in your local community.  There are tons of events happening all across the globe!
• Lobby Google to use the World Down Syndrome Day Google Doodle on March 21st.
• Get the word out to all of your friends through your social media connections.
• Keep an eye on Parents.com for a guest post by someone you may recognize.  :)

Most of all, make your voice heard.  The best way to raise awareness is to celebrate the people in your life who have Down syndrome.  Show the world what it means and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our communities.
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
Download Down Syndrome Radio, Episode #19.
Better yet…subscribe, rate us and leave a comment on iTunes!

St. Patrick's Day Festival includes DSA Singapore!

from the Straits Times:

The Singapore River will be transformed into a sea of green once again as the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations return - and bigger than ever before. This year, St Patrick's Day Street Festival will go on for three days instead of just one, and it will not just be the merrymakers in green - the OCBC Centre will be lit up with shamrocks for the entire weekend.

Organised by Singapore River One, the festivities begin on March 15 and will culminate in the St Patrick's Day Parade at 3pm on March 17. The celebrations join some of the world’s most famous landmarks and sites that will go ‘green’ on St Patrick’s Day (March 17) under Ireland’s annual “global greening” initiative, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil and the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in Egypt.
Throughout the weekend, the public will also be treated to performances by Irish bands, the Irish Inspirational Dancers troupe, an International Street Fair, street artists that including face-painters and balloonists, and Irish Walking Tours that trace the shared history between Ireland and Singapore.

There will be Irish food and drink promotions, as well as a lucky draw, running at participating Boat Quay restaurants and bars on all three days.

The parade will start at Old Parliament House and proceed along the Singapore River, before ending on Circular Road, where a massive post-party will take place. Prizes await the best dressed among Parade participants.

Ambassador of Ireland to Singapore, Mr Joe Hayes, is the festival’s honorary patron. Senior Minister of State for Education and Law Ms Indranee Rajah, and Irish Government Minister Brendan Howlin will be the guests of honour at the March 17 St Patrick’s Day Parade, jointly celebrated with World Down Syndrome Day.

This is the second year running that the St Patrick’s Day Festival and the Parade form the backdrop for World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) celebrations organised by the Down Syndrome Association (Singapore). Its members, along with their families and friends, will march in the March 17 parade. Its dancers and drummers will perform throughout the festival.

Eat at Ruby Tuesday on 3/21 to benefit Reece's Rainbow and other local DSAs!

CELEBRATE WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY!

Come join Reece’s Rainbow at RUBY TUESDAY for lunch or dinner

on March 21, 2013

In MD/DC/VA, Reece’s Rainbow will earn 20% of your meal total!

In the other metro areas, the *local Down syndrome family support groups* will earn 20% of your meal total!

 We’re so grateful to our friends at Ruby Tuesday for another opportunity to raise awareness for people with Down syndrome in our communities!

In only 6 1/2 years, Reece’s Rainbow has helped find “forever families” for almost 1000 orphaned children with Down syndrome and other special needs around the world!  These children are now living happy, healthy, cherished lives with families in communities all across America!  Join us for lunch or dinner (or both!) on Thursday, March 21, 2013, and show your support for Reece’s Rainbow!  EVERYONE IS WELCOME, not just families of children with Down syndrome.   This is an important opportunity to reach outside of our existing Down syndrome/special needs community, and share the GIFT of Down syndrome as we all know it

A TWIST!  Post on our Facebook page or Tweet photos (@reecesrainbow #downsyndromerubytuesday) of you and your family/friends eating at your local Ruby Tuesday during our “Giveback”, and one random winner will win $1000 to donate to your choice of families adopting a child with Down syndrome with Reece’s Rainbow!

1. See the list below for the participating restaurants in your state.
2. Facebook, tweet, blog, email and invite your friends & family to join you
3. Tweet this event often over the next 2 weeks to celebs and other folks on Twitter!
4. Share this event with your local Down syndrome support groups!
5. Make copies of the flyer and distribute to your local schools, churches, and on cars in parking lots
6. PRINT THE FLYER AND TAKE IT WITH YOU ON MARCH 21.
7. Take lots of pics and post them on our Facebook Page with your names and city/state
8. Tweet us @reecesrainbow with hashtag #downsyndromerubytuesday
9. On Friday, March 22, we will announce the winner!

See below for a complete list of participating restaurants in your state.  Ruby Tuesday does not have stores in every state, and some locations already have other GiveBack events scheduled for this date.  You MUST print out this flier to give to your server for Reece’s Rainbow and your local DS support groups to receive 20% of your purchase!    Click to download or preview then print (if you have the option ‘fit to page’ be sure to select that).

1. Atlanta (Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta)
2. Nashville  (Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee)
3. Memphis (Down Syndrome Association of Memphis & the Mid-South)
4. Knoxville (Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East TN)
5. Raleigh (Triangle Down Syndrome Network) flyer coming soon!
6. Kansas City (Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City)
7. San Antonio (Down Syndrome Association of South Texas) (March 22 & 23 only)
8. Des Moines  (Gigi’s Playhouse)
9. Baton Rouge (Down Syndrome Awareness Group of Baton Rouge)
10. New Orleans (Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans)
11. Indianapolis (Down Syndrome Indiana)
12. Rhode Island (Down Syndrome Society of Rhode Island)
13. Maryland/DC/Virginia (Reece’s Rainbow)

Grab This!

Celebrate WDSD with the DSALA at the LA Kings Game!

Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day  with the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Kings Hockey Game Saturday, March 9, 2013 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

We hope you and your loved one with Down syndrome will be joining the DSALA to the L.A. Kings and to sit on the bench for "Bench Recognition" in honor of World Down Syndrome Day.

We still have a few 300-Section tickets available. Call the DSALA Office at 818-786-0001 to get tickets for you family and friends now.   The office can accept Visa and MasterCard.  See you at the Kings Game!

Go Kings,

Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles 

L.A. Kings Game  LA Kings vs. Flames   7:00 PM Game Saturday, March 9th Staples Center 1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA   Seating Chart for Tickets   Staples Center Map and Address   Call with your Visa or MC for tickets!   818-786-0001

World Down Syndrome Day Google Doodle

From Mark Jones:
Here's the post as promised. You may remember last year I designed a Google Doodle proposal for World Down Syndrome Day. Although it wasn't used by Google, it still generated a lot of global attention (it really did!). Now is the time to try again! I would like as much exposure of this as I can, so please SHARE, LIKE, and COMMENT on this doodle. Also, It would be fab if you could help by emailing the doodle to Google, using this address: proposals@google.com

Much love xxx

Creativity Best of 2012: A New Way to Look at Down Syndrome and More

from Advertising Age:
Until New Year's Creativity will be counting down 2012's best moves in brand creativity.

Coming in at No. 5 in the television category is this heartwarming campaign for Coor Down, the Italian national association for people with Down Syndrome, who marked UN World Down Syndrome Day by focusing on treating those with the condition in the same way as those without it. The project, by Saatchi & Saatchi, programmed alternative versions of well-known commercials and television shows. In collaboration with brands like Carrefour, Toyota and illy coffee, regularly scheduled ads featured characters with Down Syndrome -- doing exactly the same thing as the characters in regular ads would.

Models wanted for Peterborough Down syndrome exhibition

from Peterborough Telegraph by Jim Baker:
Terry Harris is father to Lucy who has Down’s Syndrome. He believes fervently that people with Down’s Syndrome enrich and enhance our society and our lives.

Terry said: “Lucy having Down’s Syndrome never really fazed us. We often think we are extremely lucky as she does not have any of the major problems often associated with Down’s Syndrome.
“That said, she does have her problems and they are sometimes difficult and upsetting. But on the whole Lucy has grown into a lovable bundle that we think completes our family. There’s no doubting Lucy has obstacles ahead but we as a family are supportive of each other.
“The BIG picture is our way of sharing our experiences and letting every family, around the world touched by Down’s syndrome, share theirs.”
The DS The BIG Picture exhibition aims to help everyone from new parents, to people who just want a better understanding of the condition, an understanding built on fact and not misconceptions. Another key component of the campaign is to educate society on the whole and correct dated and negative stereotypes of people with DS.
In support of the exhibition Terry is offering free family photo-sessions, open to people/children with Down’s Syndrome and their families. The sessions are on a first come first serve basis offering time slots of around 35 minutes at Studio One, Ailsworth.
The photographs will be used in The Big Picture exhibition and attendees will also receive a free CD of the pictures taken or can have them printed by the studio at a discounted price.
They will also receive a 25 per cent discount on any future family portrait sessions at the studio.
The photo shoots will take place throughout June/July this weekend. Siblings are welcome but model release forms will need to be signed for the images to be in the BIG Picture exhibition.
The exhibition will coincide with World Down’s Syndrome Awareness Day 2013 (March 21) and will run from March 16, 2013 to May 25, 2013 in Peterborough, at a city centre venue (to be confirmed).
Peterborough United Chairman Darragh Macanthony has also donated £2,000 to the exhibition and offered to support it in any way he can.
DS The Big Picture has also secured the support of the largest charity involved with Down’s syndrome, The Down’s Syndrome Association.
They currently have over 7,000 members across 140 plus affiliates in the UK alone. They also have an exceptionally large presence around the world due to their World Down’s Syndrome International organisation.
A truly unique feature of the campaign is the larger images which aren’t just one picture, but made up from as many as 10,000 individual images which in turn will have a huge amount of information embedded in them from simple comments about Down’s syndrome to links for further reading and information.
If you would be interested in taking part in the exhibition contact Terry as soon as possible on 07747 606996, or at terry@dsthebigpicture.com.

A fantastic video showing support for WDSD

An amazing video showing community support of World Down Syndrome Day by Kelly Ryser. Mobile viewers click here.

Andrew Banar insprires and motivates with Group Hug Apparel

from the Leamington Post by Pat Bailey:

He doesn’t wear a cape. He hasn’t rescued any damsels in distress — but Andrew Banar is a hero.
And fittingly, the 20-year-old entrepreneur officially earned that designation on World Down Syndrome Day, Wednesday, March 21.

But he doesn’t see himself as a hero.

“I just try to do nice things,” he said.

While the Cardinal Carter student was born with Down Syndrome, he has not let it hold him back. In fact, he has probably accomplished more than many of his peers.

Like starting his own business. Or maybe donating more than $8,000 to local charities. Or even making plans for a post-secondary education.

And that is where his dream began.

For Andrew the dream of going to college motivated him to look beyond any limits that may have been placed on him.

And with the help of an extremely supportive mom, Karen Pickle, Andrew was able to combine his artistic talent with his love of drumming which led to Group Hug Apparel.

His apparel company, which features his own designs and the catch phrase ‘Rock On’, has earned thousands of dollars in just two years in business — probably enough to pay for Andrew’s college education.

But in a selfless decision, Andrew decided to share his earnings with more than 10 different local charities.

“It’s important to give back to the community,” said Andrew, “because everyone needs help — and I like to help people.”

And help them he has.

He spends virtually every weekend at community events — hocking his wares and mingling with members of the community.

Andrew has become a familiar face to many and now a hero — one that puts a face, and especially a smile, to the Down Syndrome Society of Canada.

He and nine others were chosen from hundreds of entries to be one of the society’s heroes.

According to the Canadian Down Syndrome website, the heroes were chosen “to showcase the abilities and accomplishments of persons with Down Syndrome and encourage independence, self-advocacy and freedom for persons with Down Syndrome to make their own choices.”

They are recognized as “strong community leaders who make a difference in the lives of people with Down Syndrome”, it continued.

Andrew epitomizes the society’s definition of a hero.

His mom beams with pride when speaking of her son and his accomplishments — especially his latest, hero status.

“When you have a child with a disability,” she said, “you want them to have the best life possible, without needing to worry about all of life’s challenges.”

“You help them fulfill dreams and goals by working around their abilities,” she added, “and if that means changing things up so they can accomplish them and be a part of society like everyone else — then that is part of my job as being a mom.”

In many ways though, Andrew is a typical young adult — he loves playing the drums, playing Rock Band, watching movies, hanging out with family and friends and heading south for a little vacation.

“He is caring, thoughtful and has a spirit that I wish everyone in the world could see,” she said.
Thanks to his ambitious aspirations — many have already had that pleasure.

“He is my daily inspiration,” she said, “and keeps me focused.”