Albert Pujols on 60 Minutes Sunday 4/10

His big bat has made the St. Louis Cardinals' slugger one of the top 10 players in baseball history. But to people with Down syndrome and the poor of his native Dominican Republic that he helps, he means a lot more than home runs and RBI. 60 Minutes' Bob Simon reports, Sunday, April 10, 7 p.m. ET/PT.

He is as dedicated to helping others as he is about playing ball, maybe more so. "It's my passion and I believe this is what God is calling me to do...I was one of those little boys with no hope."

His foundation also supports people with Down syndrome, another passion for Pujols, whose daughter was born with it.

For teenagers with Down syndrome, Pujols is already a hall of famer. Cameras capture him dancing with dozens of them at an annual prom he throws for the teens - the highlight of the year for them. "And for me too," says Pujols.

Post Secondary Grants

From the NDSS


The mission of the Joshua O’Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund is to offer financial assistance to young adults with Down syndrome who wish to continue to enrich their lives by enrolling in postsecondary programs or taking classes. The fund was established in January 2005 by Zeshan Tabani to honor his friend Joshua O’Neill. Joshua is an inspirational young man who happens to have Down syndrome. Joshua and Zeshan grew up in the same neighborhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Joshua was fortunate to participate in a postsecondary education experience and he benefited greatly from this opportunity. Joshua now lives independently, with supports, in New Haven, Connecticut. He works part-time and leads a productive and happy life. Zeshan was inspired by Joshua’s drive to enrich himself with postsecondary education and he wanted to help others who might not have the same opportunity.

   

As more individuals with Down syndrome are being included K-12 and graduating with their peers, the next step for many young adults with Down syndrome includes pursuing postsecondary education, which may include participation in a postsecondary program or simply taking enrichment courses. Financial aid is rarely available to these individuals.

   

The Joshua O'Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund seeks to offer financial assistance to young adults with Down syndrome who are 18 years old or older, who wish to continue to participate in postsecondary education programs or enrichment courses to gain employment and other important life skills contributing to their independence. Grants of up to $2,000 are available by completing an application. 

Post Secondary Education Resource List

Interview with Chris Burke

View more videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com.

You know him best as Corky from Life Goes On, but actor Chris Burke has come a long way from the small screen. Now he's an ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society and is urging folks to share their experiences with the My Great Story campaign.

Music From The Heart

Darius Rucker and 25 participants in last year's ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp program will perform "Music From the Heart" during a special segment of the 46th annual Academy of Country Music Awards show taking place Sunday (April 3) in Las Vegas.


The music camp, one of the ACM's charitable endeavors, is attended by young people with developmental disabilities. The campers wrote the song last summer with songwriters Brett James and Chris Young. Julianne Hough will introduce the segment supporting Nashville's Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in its efforts to help make positive differences in the lives of families dealing with developmental disabilities. For the past six years, the center has hosted a music camp for people with Williams Syndrome, autism and other developmental disabilities.


Viewers may make a donation of their choice to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center by dialing 1-888-9-LIFTING or make a $5 donation by texting DREAM to 27722. All proceeds will benefit the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. CBS will broadcast the ACM Awards from the MGM Grand Hotel at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Tim Shriver explains why the "R-word" is wrong

Tim Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics, brought his campaign to get people to stop using the word "retarded" to 'The Colbert Report' (Weeknights, 11:30PM ET on Comedy Central.)

Shriver prefers the term "person with intellectual disabilities." This prompted Colbert, playing his obnoxious pundit character, to wonder why Shriver is trying to take away his right to say the word "retarded." Colbert admits he uses it to dehumanize those who are different from him.

But soon afterward, Shriver got serious: "You're allowed to be humiliating, degrading and hurtful. I'm allowed to petition you to at least recognize what you say and be aware of the option you have to stop."

He went on to raise people's understanding of social awareness.