Photographer And Her Daughter With Down Syndrome Collaborate On Beautiful Portraits Of One Another

by Sara Gates from the Huffington Post:
At first, it was Irish-born photographer and mother Emer Gillespie who was behind the camera. But after Laoisha, her young daughter, starting asking to take the photos, she relinquished control.
Inspired by Laoisha's interest in the camera, the U.K.-based photographer launched "Picture You, Picture Me" in 2008, when Laoisha was 6 years old. Every few months, Gillespie pulls out the camera and the pair stages scenes of activities they like to do together, such as blowing bubbles or flying kites.

Six years later, the photos they have created together comprise a unique mother-daughter series that features now 11-year-old Laoisha, who has Down syndrome, and Gillespie in parallel scenes, each captured by the other.


Though the project has been a great way for the pair to spend time together, the photo sessions have also enabled Laoisha to advance her verbal and visual language skills by talking about what she wants for each photo.
"A lot of the images are Laoisha's ideas, for example, 'Bed Jumping,' 'Hair' and 'Make-up,' as she loves those activities," Gillespie told The Huffington Post. "Anyone who knows her will spot her interests and personality shining through in the subject matter. We both make suggestions for shoot ideas, but I will always start by first asking her if she wants to take photos, which so far has always been a yes, and then I will ask if she has any ideas or suggestions."



Other images, like the photo of the mother-daughter duo in a school classroom, came at Gillespie's suggestion.
"Going to her classroom was my idea, as I wanted to take shots in an environment where she was more in control and more comfortable in than I was. So it really does vary from photo session to photo session," Gillespie explained.

Usually Gillespie sets up the camera, a Mamiya RB 67, since it's a bit complicated, but she has begun teaching Laoisha the basics.
"I have been trying to teach her the light meter and how to load the film, so hopefully in time she will be able to operate the camera herself," Gillespie said.

However, the camera does not focus itself automatically, so Laoisha has to make her own adjustments for each shot. That's why some of them, like 'Teeth Brushing,' are out of focus, Gillespie admits.

"Picture You, Picture Me," which Gillespie has exhibited in New York, London and Portugal, is still ongoing. Gillespie assures HuffPost there will be more diptychs of her and her daughter to come -- as long as Laoisha is interested.
"This is a very personal, enjoyable project for us, so we take our time and only take photos when it feels right and we both want to," she said.

Columbia, SC Athlete Going to National Special Olympics for Swimming

by Michael Frizalone from WLTX:

Columbia, SC (WLTX)- People say he has the biggest heart in the Midlands. 

Travis Luthren, 24, was born with Down syndrome and is competing in the National Special Olympics in swimming. He started swimming competitively at just 8-years-old. 

The disability hasn't stopped him from inspiring others with Down syndrome.  

Travis is also a full-time employee at the Special Olympics and writes thank you cards to everyone who donates. 

He said his family has been supportive and behind him in everything.

"My mom and my grandmother are the only two ladies that raised me to be who I am today," Luthren said. 

The 2014 Special Olympics will be held in Princeton, New Jersey.
Special Olympics South Carolina provides year-round sports training for more than 20,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

Farm Kings Q&A: Lisa King on Motivating Children with Down Syndrome

by Wendy Spicher from Great American Country GACTV:

On tonight’s all-new episode of Farm Kings at 9/8c, Joe tasks his mom Lisa and sister Bitty with running a fitness competition to inspire Freedom Farms’ loyal customers to buy local, eat healthy and get fit. The King family practices what they preach. The hardworking farm lifestyle comes naturally to them — but Lisa admits it’s sometimes a bit of a challenge to keep her youngest son, Ben, who has Down syndrome, active.

“Sometimes it’s very difficult to motivate children with Down syndrome,” says Lisa. “You give birth to nine other children who are very athletic, and then you have this child that you have to push and encourage. It’s a struggle for Ben.”
To make exercise fun, Lisa and Bitty started walking Ben down to the family pond with the incentive of feeding their ducks.
“Since we’ve started taking these walks with Ben, he’s lost about five pounds,” adds Lisa.”That just shows me that if I can inspire Ben to lose weight, I can inspire a whole group.” With Ben as her motivation, Lisa aims to inspire her family of customers to eat right and exercise. And she continues to find ways to challenge Ben to stay fit.
“I want to see [Ben] active,” says Lisa. “I want to see him healthy. I want him to outlive me.”

man’s efforts link runners with partners with special needs

by Kevin Bonham from the Grand Forks Herald:
CROOKSTON — When Tim Boyle started running less than 15 months ago, his goal simply was to get off the couch.

“I had quit smoking and I found that all I was doing was sitting around, getting fatter,” the 41-year-old Crookston resident said last week. “All I did was trade one bad habit for another.”

It worked. He got into shape and started running competitively, entering the 5K in Sunshine Foundation’s Walk and Fun Run in Grand Forks in January.

After finishing the run, he posted a photo on Facebook.

Among those commenting on his photo was someone named Michael Wasserman, a 52-year-old California resident who has Down syndrome and bilateral hip dysplasia.

Wasserman is an artist whose works were featured this fall in an online gallery sponsored by the International Down Syndrome Coalition.

Boyle praised Wasserman’s artwork and commented that he would think of him when he runs.

Wasserman’s mother posted his response: “You can run for me any time.”

That’s all it took.

Later that month, Boyle founded Who I Run 4, a non-profit organization matching athletes with special-needs children and adults.

Spread the word

The group, which spreads its message through Facebook.com/IRunFor and a new WhoIRun4.com website, has grown incredibly fast. Membership reached 10,000 last week, with members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and 26 countries.

Who I Run 4 already has matched more than 3,000 athletes with special needs partners.

“We’ve got 1,600 runners waiting for a buddy,” Boyle said.

So far, about 80 percent of the special needs membership is made up of children. Boyle hopes it grows to include more adults.

The athletes do not raise money for their online buddies. Rather, they provide inspiration by posting pictures, reports on their progress or awards and messages. They also tag the parents, so they can monitor the exchanges.

For athletes, it provides a sense of purpose — training or competing on the child’s behalf.

“They can dedicate an event or a workout to their buddy,” Boyle said.

For the special needs children and their families, it’s a new kind of connection.

“Parents say this gives them a sense of freedom,” he said. “This allows an outsider in and promotes awareness. There’s somebody outside that cocoon thinking about their child.”

Inspiration

Boyle’s initial inspiration came from a quote he read on Google: “I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can’t run, what they’d give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me.”

He modified the quote, to serve as the motto for Who I Run 4: “God gave us the gift of mobility; others aren’t as fortunate. I run for Michael. Who do you run for?”

“We’ve got beginners. We’ve got veteran Boston Marathon runners,” Boyle said.

Among the members is the USA Inline Speed Skating World Team.

Another is Renee Baio, wife of actor Scott Baio, who probably is best known for his role as Chachi in the 1970s sitcom “Happy Days.” Renee Baio is president of the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation, which raises money for special needs children. It is named for their daughter.

Who I Run 4 officially supports four different organizations: Special Olympics; Make-A-Wish Foundation; International Down Syndrome Coalition; and the Hands and Feet Coalition.

The group, which is run by volunteers, has conducted one fund-raising event, so far, raising nearly $12,000. It plans to be a major sponsor of the Sunshine Foundation’s 2014 Walk and Fun Run.

Setting a goal

Boyle, who grew up in Crookston, was a police officer in Montgomery, Ala., from 2003 to 2006. These days, he works at Digi-Key, the electronics components distributor in Thief River Falls.

He spends at least 40 hours a week working with the charity and runs nine to 12 miles a week. He also has a small staff of volunteers.

His goal is to raise enough money to start paying a staff and, perhaps, to work it full-time himself.

He’s set an initial goal of raising about $40,000 annually — perhaps $1,000 each from 40 corporate sponsors. That would allow the non-profit charity to expand its fund-raising efforts.

“If we could get to that point, it would be just great,” he said. “This sure beats life on the couch.”

Beloved dog gets new lease on life

by Sarah Fay Campbell from the Times-Herald:
Lady, an 11-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, is Brian Ziifle's best friend.
The perky Yorkie has formed an incredible bond with Brian, a Coweta County resident who has Down Syndrome.
Four years ago, Brian moved into his own condo.
'We sent Lady with [Brian] to be his roommate, so he had someone waiting there for him when he came home,' said Brian's mother, Helen. 'They really have formed a bond that goes beyond owner and pet. He talks to her like a human and tells her everything, and she is really his best friend.'
In the days leading up to Christmas, Lady became very sick, and the Ziifles thought they were going to lose her.
The family prayed fervently, along with starting a prayer chain among friends. Brian even wrote a letter to Santa Claus.
Then the Ziifles received a Christmas miracle.
Lady woke up four days before the holiday, gasping for breath.
'We took her straight to the veterinarian and they sent us to an emergency place in Fayetteville,' said Helen. 'Lady was in respiratory distress and was suffering from renal disease.'
The emergency veterinarian staff discovered Lady had pneumonia and they suspected an enlarged heart, but couldn't see the heart clearly because her lungs were filled with fluid.
The tiny dog was put on oxygen and was given heart medication.
On Monday, Lady was placed in intensive care.
'The internal medicine veterinarian said she would do all she could do to get her home to Brian on Christmas Eve,' said Helen.