Grocery bagger's positive spirit lifts community

by Heather Whitley from USA Today and News 10 ABC:
Kevin Hawkins has been bagging groceries for the past 20 years. His boss says he has hardly missed a day of work and is always in a good mood. His personality is so infectious, customers often wait in line just so they can have Hawkins as their bagger.
Hawkins has Down syndrome and credits his dad for teaching him how to be a good employee.
"[My dad] told me to listen to everybody, I mean everybody. He taught me the right things," he says.
Hawkins' dad passed away about ten years ago. But ever since that day, he has worked hard to live a life his father would be proud of.

Video sharing just for Down syndrome community

by Ivano Abbadessa from West Info:
Down TV is a video-sharing website dedicated exclusively to people with Down syndrome. It is fast becoming the main web presence for those with this intellectual disability. The portal, created by the Spanish organisation Invest for Child, shares online videos with people with Down syndrome, as well as their parents, caregivers and professionals. It is available in seven languages: English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Castilian Spanish and German. More than 2,000 videos have been uploaded to the site, addressing topics that range from medicine to sports, music, school and professional occupations. In the ‘work’ section it’s possible to see the experiences of people such as Simone, Sandra, Francesco, Alice, Nicola and many other workers with Down. It’s also possible to listen to the testimonies of business managers – from industries including fashion and hospitality – who decided to invest in the quality and professionalism of people with the condition.

LGH volunteer program a boon for hospital and volunteers alike

by Eileen O. Daday from the Daily Herald:
Tuesdays are special for Owen Laatsch, 22, of Arlington Heights. That's when he shows up to volunteer at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge in the kitchen prep area alongside his mentor, Joe Zajac.
Last week, when Laatsch set out on his shift, he gave Zajac a high-five and declared to his mother, "He's the man!"
Laatsch has Down syndrome and is a patient at the hospital's Adult Down Syndrome Center, where increasingly its staff is promoting volunteering as part of its holistic approach to treatment.
"When he gets up on Tuesdays, he's just giddy," says Laatsch's mother, Cathy Laatsch. "He loves coming here and the teamwork involved."
Over the last year, 12 adults with Down syndrome have begun volunteering at the hospital, in the food and nutrition area, pediatric therapy department and gift shop — even the childbirth education department and the Adult Down Syndrome Center itself, greeting and escorting patients.
The center has treated 5,500 patients with Down syndrome over the last 20 years. An expansion last year allowed it to bring more healthy lifestyle programs to its patients, enhancing its holistic approach.
"We meet the medical needs of our patients but we also want to meet their life needs," says Dr. Brian Chicoine, an Arlington Heights resident and center director. "We work with them, their families and social agencies to promote health."

A Family adapts to new challenges of a child with Down Syndrome

by Melissa Constanzer from WJFW NBC 12:

Gleason - We all want perfect, healthy, and happy babies but sometimes things don't go as perfectly as planned. One Gleason woman and her family learned how to accept this.

"The second I looked at the picture, I knew he had Down Syndrome," said Shannon Staskiewicz.

Shannon Staskiewicz couldn't lose that thought when she first saw her new baby boy. "I was depressed, I was angry, I was grieving, you know, I expected to have this perfect little boy. And while he is perfect in his own way, it took a long time to make that connection. When I looked at him, all I saw was Down Syndrome, I didn't see Hunter," says Shannon.

She couldn't prepare for this. So she turned to other mothers online for help.

"I, you know, connected with a number of mom's on face book and they were so helpful. You know, just to say, that's normal, you know, it's normal to be sad, it's normal to be angry, but now you need to accept him for who he is," said Shannon.

But the family couldn't afford for the anger to last long. Hunter needed lots of care and attention.

"About twenty-five to forty percent of all Down Syndrome babies have some form of cardiac malformation," said Dr. Dennis McFadden, Shannon's OB/GYN.

Detriot community beats alleged rapist of 15 year old girl with Down syndrome after slow police response

by Julie Banovic from WXYZ 7 ABC:

Community members in one Detroit neighborhood took matters into their own hands and beat an accused rapist of a 15-year-old girl with Down Syndrome after they say Detroit Police failed to respond.

Friday marks the 23rd day without an arrest after the 15-year-old victim said a man grabbed her while she was walking to work, took her to his apartment and raped her in early July.



The suspect lives in the same neighborhood as the victim. Members of the Hubbard Farms community say the man has mental health issues. They posted his face on flyers around the neighborhood to warn others.
Family friend of the victim, Megan Herres says the teen waited for seven hours at the hospital for Detroit Police to administer a rape kit. She reportedly waited five days before police interviewed her about the sexual assault and 21 days until Detroit Police sent the rape kit to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab.
“That’s just not acceptable,” said Herres.  “DPD, we want to see an effort toward sexual assaults of minors,” she continued “It’s not good to live in a community where people don’t feel safe."

Ohio baby receives 400 ornaments from around the world

by Holly Richards from Newark Advocate.com:
His eyes bulging, taking in hundreds of colorful ornaments adorning a bright Christmas tree, Sebastian Longstreth extends his tiny fingers to a glittering red bulb.
“None of our ornaments are on there — they’re all his,” said Shannon Longstreth, Sebastian’s mother.
For the past month, 11-month-old Sebastian has been receiving hundreds of Christmas cards and ornaments from around the country and world.
“His Facebook page has 7,829 ‘likes,’ and everybody was asking what to get him for Christmas,” Longstreth said. “I thought we should give him his own tree, and ask people to make, buy or take ornaments from their trees to send. There are a lot of handmade ones, and we have close to 400 now. We’ve even started hanging them on the banister.”
Longstreth said local people are giving, and mailboxes are filled to the brim daily with gifts from every state. International packages have been received from England, Ireland, Australia and other countries.
This is another example of support the Longstreth family has received, even before Sebastian was born. On Jan. 23, Shannon and her husband, Brandon Longstreth, welcomed their third child. She was five months pregnant with Sebastian when a blood test revealed he had Down syndrome.
“I wasn’t shocked about the Down syndrome diagnosis, but it was the heart issues that bothered me,” Longstreth previously said. “That was heartbreaking. He has an atrioventricular canal defect, but he’s had surgery, and it looks great. He’s a fighter. I don’t treat him like he’s ‘special.’ I treat him like a baby.”
After Longstreth uploaded photos to Facebook shortly after Sebastian was born, they quickly received 112 “likes.” She started the Sebastian’s Journey page on Facebook, which had 82 “likes” in 15 hours. Now, he’s up to almost 8,000 “likes,” from a mix of familiar faces and strangers.
“The public’s been great, and I pay attention to people I receive messages from,” Longstreth said. “I try to recognize them and respond to them all. These people really support me, and one — Phillip McCloud — gave us a new refrigerator. Without social media, I’d be lost. It’s amazing to have someone out there who is concerned about us.”
Facebook also has given Longstreth her “guardian angels,” Dona “Mimi” Joseph and Kelly Treadway. They started out as strangers who happened to live nearby, and now there’s almost no one Longstreth feels closer to. Each followed Sebastian on Facebook and reached out to Longstreth, wanting to be involved in the child’s life.
After Joseph’s husband died in July, she questioned if she would find love again. A month later it came in the form of young Sebastian. Joseph and Treadway have become daily visitors who sit with him so Longstreth can tend to her family and herself, giving her respite from Sebastian’s around-the-clock care.
“It’s a different world,’ Joseph said. “He’s a godsend to us. He was meant to come into my life when he did.”
“We’re here to help with whatever they need,” Treadway said. “I feel like he’s my grandchild, too.”
Angela Smith, a home nursing caregiver with Maxim Healthcare, of Newark, is at the Longstreth home 40 hours each week to assist with Sebastian’s needs. She already has seen him make great strides and looks forward to many more.
“He’s a remarkable client, so strong and happy,” she said. “He has the potential to get better. Being here gives me a sense of purpose, and this family has become my family.”
As Sebastian rested comfortably on Joseph, Treadway and Smith helped Longstreth open mail and hang the ornaments that continue to pour in. They are floored by the response so far.
“I feel the love on this tree,” Longstreth said. “He really is Zanesville’s baby. He’s touched so many people.”
hrichards@centralohio.com
740-450-6772
Twitter: @hmrtr

Down Syndrome Association Namibia Launches

from New Era .com, newspaper for a new Namibia:
Many children living with disabilities are locked up in their homes due to stigma related to their condition, says retired politician, Dr Libertina Amathila.
She says not explaining “important matters on disabilities” results in children being hidden in homes.
One reason for this, she says, is “people fearing to be accused of witchcraft or even being witches themselves and therefore punished for having a disabled child”.
Amathila was speaking at the launch of the Down Syndrome Association of Namibia (DSAN) last Thursday. The organisation was set up to raise awareness about Down Syndrome in society. Amathila said many children affected by Down Syndrome are not known as they are hidden.
“We must all support people living with disabilities and spread the message to parents and communities in general that they are not alone in having children or family members who are affected by Down Syndrome,” said Amathila.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr David Namwandi, who spoke on government’s view on inclusive education, said the dreams of Namibian children who may have extraordinary needs, and who were discriminated against in the past or those who are excluded in one area or another, can be realised.
“As long as we all collectively work toward gaining the understanding that we learn differently, at different pace and still remain convinced that we all can achieve our goals differently,” said Namwandi. The education deputy minister told those in attendance that inclusive education calls for creating an inclusive learning environment where all learners feel welcomed.
“The realisation of the philosophy of inclusive education makes it absolutely possible to have an education system whose task is the provision of quality education to all,” Namwandi said.
Regardless of their physical and intellectual challenges, people living with Down Syndrome, “are just like you and me”, said Eline van der Linden, a mother of a five-year-old daughter with Down Syndrome.
“Unfortunately, society does not necessarily see it that way. They see a person who looks different, speaks perhaps not so clearly or not at all, a person with less social filters who expresses him or herself emotionally more freely. They see the Down Syndrome instead of the person,” Van der Linden said.
Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder arising at the time of conception. There is an extra chromosome that causes delays in physical and intellectual development

Lost boy kept warm by puppies

 

from WAFF 48 News by Marie Waxel:

A 10-year-old boy with Down Syndrome reported missing in Marion County overnight has been found (video below).

The family said Kyle Camp was watching television around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday before he went missing. They searched for him until 7 p.m. and then called police.

Dozens of volunteers and the sheriff's department searched for the boy all night. Officials said at one point, at least 150 volunteers were searching for the boy.

Marion County Sheriff's Department, all surrounding fire departments, and Hackleburg Police assisted in the search.

A State Trooper helicopter was deployed overnight to search for Kyle, and went up again at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The search encompassed a mile and a half perimeter. Volunteers searched until 5 a.m. and then continued at 7 a.m.

A volunteer searcher said he followed his family dog along a creek in thick brush and found the dog's puppies with the boy around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

"I heard the dogs barking again and followed him down there and started hollering for the puppies and I hollered for him and he hollered back. He was in the creek about a half a mile over the ridge," said searcher Jamie Swinney.

Swinney said he volunteered to help because he has kids of his own and that made being part of the reunion even sweeter.

"The main thing was getting him to his dad. That's where I wanted to get him to was to his dad. When I found him I asked if he was alright and he said yeah, he said he just wanted to go home," Swinney said.

Officials said the boy was wet and had no shoes. They think the puppies kept him warm overnight.

As Kyle was being treated for minor scrapes and bruises at a hospital in Hamilton, his brother Chris Bailey stopped to thank the friends and perfect strangers who helped bring Kyle home.

"Thank you, thank you so much. I had people from work, as many people as I could get together. Just thank you, it's amazing we could all come together like this," Bailey said.

"It was amazing how many people came together to look, because we couldn't have gotten it all on our own. It's just amazing the community is that close to each other," Bailey added.

Another rescue searcher said the turnout of volunteers didn't surprise him.

"It actually shows how great the community is. Everybody can pull together and come as one just to make sure one is found, I mean the community is great. I love Hackleburg," Joshua James said.

Kyle was treated for scrapes and bruises at the hospital and is expected to be ok.

WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, ALWAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

Down Syndrome Champions Complete Fourth Game of the Season

The Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia’s (DSANV) Champion Football League of Northern Virginia (CFL) played its fourth successful game of the season, Sept. 29, at Freedom High School in South Riding, Va.

“It is amazing to see the passion, dedication and hard work of every player in the CFL. Each individual has unique abilities that help form a strong team when everyone unites and works together,” said Bryan Ray, president of DSANV.

The league was founded last year by the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia and is the first football league in the Northern Virginia area serving individuals with disabilities.

In its second year, the CFL has seen a significant increase in enrollment. The Sept. 29 game had close to 40 champion players on the field, with over 30 players from Freedom High School’s football team serving as coaches and mentors to the Champion players.

In addition to the Champion players, the CFL has added cheerleading to their games this season. There were six Champion Cheerleaders coached by 15 Freedom High School Cheerleaders, totaling 21 cheerleaders for the game on the Sept. 29.
“We are thrilled to have cheerleading at all of the CFL games this season. Their excitement and team spirit really inspires the crowd to show even more support for all of the Champion players,” Ray added.

To start off the game, each player and cheerleader made their way through the tunnel on to the field as their names were announced over the PA system. The crowd filled with nearly 100 family members, friends of the players and cheerleaders, and other onlookers, was very supportive and enthusiastic throughout the whole game.

As is the case in every CFL game, every player scored a touchdown and the score ended in a tie, making for happy teams and players on both sides.

“At DSANV, we hope that as the CFL season continues, every player and cheerleader will experience the dynamics of teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership. Through the CFL and Champion Cheerleading, we want every participant to grow as football players, cheerleaders, and as people who will make a positive impact in their community,” Ray finished.

The CFL meets at Freedom High School in South Riding, Va. each Saturday at noon through Nov. 3. 

teachers in UAE trained to aid pupils with Down syndrome

from gulfnews.com:

Project fosters greater inclusiveness at public schools

The second phase of a project to train teaching assistants to assist pupils with Down’s Syndrome in public schools has been completed.

The project is being implemented by the Emirates Down’s Syndrome Association in collaboration with the British University in Dubai.

Emirates Foundation for Youth Development in Abu Dhabi has pledged to continue its support for the programme, which was implemented by the British University in Dubai and four sub-centres in Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Dibba.

Sonia Al Hashemi, chairperson of the Emirates Down’s Syndrome Association said the training programme focused on female teaching assistants in public schools and follows the directives by the leadership to adopt ways to overcome difficulties facing children with Down’s Syndrome. She added: “The training programme has contributed to the preparation and rehabilitation of a group of female citizens, who are high school graduates to join the labour market and help people with Down’s Syndrome to merge in public schools to learn naturally with their peers.”

Sonia stressed that the cooperation among the Ministries of Education and Social Affairs besides the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs had greatly enabled the association in facilitating the inclusion of those with Down’s Syndrome in public schools, as well as in the exchange of experiences and studies in this respect.

Dr Eman Gaad, dean of Faculty of Education at the British University in Dubai, who heads the team implementing the programme and is an adviser to Unesco, said the project aims to achieve educational objectives while incorporating pupils with Down’s Syndrome in the school community.

The British University in Dubai has completed the implementation of the theoretical aspects of the project in the first and second phases at all centres nationwide.

Autism Group Calls For End To ‘Infighting’

from Disability Scoop by Michelle Diament:
A leading national advocacy group is calling for a summit this fall in an effort to mitigate divisiveness within the autism community.
The Autism Society wants to bring together all of the major autism organizations to establish a series of joint goals.
“The infighting that a lot of times characterizes the autism community needs to stop,” said Scott Badesch, president of the Autism Society. “Until we come together, we’re not going to be able to move the needle on enhancing autism services.”
Tension has been brewing for years with parents and even professionals at odds over everything from possible causes of the developmental disorder to whether precious dollars should be spent on research or services for those on the spectrum.
As a result, Badesch said he sees many other interest groups getting a stronger reception locally and in Congress, citing elderly Americans and the gay and lesbian community as examples. By working together with a united front, Badesch said he hopes autism advocates can be more productive.
The Autism Society is calling for leaders of national organizations to come together in the same way that many companies, for example, work together through industry trade groups. While each organization would retain its own agenda and perspective, the community could work collectively to achieve specific objectives.
Badesch’s group is reaching out to other stakeholders at present to gauge interest. He said the initial response has been positive but declined to offer specifics.
In a statement Tuesday, an Autism Speaks spokesman said the organization “looks forward to joining this conversation about how we can all work to improve the lives of people with autism and their families.”
Inquiries from Disability Scoop to three other national groups advocating for individuals with autism about the proposed summit did not yield any immediate response.
With the election coming this fall, those initiating the talks say they are hoping to bring a group together before the new Congress gets to work next year.