"Seussical Jr." at Bethlehem middle school showcases students of all kinds

by Clarie Hughes from TimesUnion:

Emma Farman doesn't have any lines in "Seussical Jr.," a musical based on the books of Dr. Seuss being staged this weekend at Bethlehem Middle School.

The eighth-grader's role as a mime is critical, however, as she silently draws other characters into her scene in the second act. Director Lindsay Dashew didn't cut her any slack during auditions, she said. No matter that the 14-year-old has Down syndrome.
"She earned her spot in the cast," Dashew said.
Just like everyone else. Just like Emma and her family like it.
Emma's onstage role in her school play may seem striking to an outsider. But at Bethlehem Middle School it's natural, parents of special needs children said before Saturday's matinee. The play was chosen for the number of roles — 65 students have parts — with an eye to getting maximum involvement among all the kids, Dashew said. There are 40-some backstage jobs.

Raising A Down Syndrome Child: Parenting Tips

by Asha from BoldSky Limitless Living:
What should I do next? This is the common question that all parents face when their babies get diagnosed with Down syndrome. Parenting a child with Down syndrome is a bit difficult than what we imagine. Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that results in an amalgamation of birth abnormalities. You have to manage various physical and mental problems while parenting a child with Down syndrome.
For some parents, a routine ultrasound scanning may suggest that you have to expect a baby with Down syndrome. But, for some others, everything will come as a bundle of surprise and shock along with the baby. Whatever it is, face the situation with confidence and hope. Parenting a child with Down syndrome is no more a difficult task with the advance in medical science. Toddlers are at the right age to get trained to acquire many skills that will help them live an almost normal life. Consider them as normal children who need a little more care and support from the parents.
IMPORTANCE OF AN ULTRA SOUND DURING PREGNANCY
Since the responsibility to implement some parenting tips for Down syndrome is completely on you, your task will become a little thornier. Here, we may discuss some easy and effective parenting tips for Down syndrome.

Parents with developmentally disabled children fight new regulations

by Anna Meiler from News Channel 2 WKTV Utica:

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) -- For many parents, their kids grow up, leave home and start their own lives. But, for parents with developmentally disabled children, their job never ends.

New regulations are forcing aging moms and dads to ask a painful question. Patricia Vilello wonders what will happen to her 38-year-old son with Down Syndrome if she isn't there to care for him.

"As a parent it causes a lot of sleepless nights," said Vilello.

Tommy used to be on a residential placement list through the ARC, but the state created a priority list six months ago that overrides it, which means Tommy could wait longer for a group home.

"The state does not want to open any more certified group homes. They're telling the parents to be creative, have your family and friends involved with taking care of them after we're gone. It's a 24/7 job. People aren't going to turn their lives upside down," said Villelo.

Cuts are also threatening structural workshops that Tommy attends three days a week at the ARC.

"It gives him a job, a place to go every day, mingle with peers, earn some money of his own. Everyone needs that to feel worthy," said Villelo.

Support and Help Promote the ABLE Act Petition through NDSS Board Member Sara Wolff

As many of you know, the ABLE Act momentum continues to build - we now have 326 cosponsors in the House and 62 cosponsors in the Senate. Thank you again for all your support - we are going to get this bill passed this year!

Our NDSS Board Member and self-advocate, Sara Wolff, launched her own change.org petition to call on Congress to pass the ABLE Act this year. Please visit the following link and sign Sara's petition:   

http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-house-of-representatives-pass-the-able-act

Please also take a few moments and share the petition with your colleagues and friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Here's a sample tweet: "Help @NDSS & (INSERT YOUR ORG) get Congress to #PasstheABLEAct Sign the @Change petition by @NDSS board Member Sara Wolff http://chn.ge/1c1OSpY"

Thank you again!

Ginny Sessions
Manager, Grassroots and Development Programming
National Down Syndrome Society

Click the link below to log in and make your call:
https://www.votervoice.net/NDSS/campaigns/32848/respond

Planning a Future For a Child with Down Syndrome

Friends and family of children with Down Syndrome often find social networks like Facebook to be a wonderful forum in which to share information, interesting experiences with their children and, ultimately, to express their doubts and sometimes, even their insecurities about a myriad of issues. Recently, when viewing one such page, we came across an interesting question posed by the mom of a toddler with Down Syndrome called Ryder. While Ryder’s mother had already set up savings account for the future University and car expenses of her older children, she wondered how to plan financially for Ryder’s future. She said that she was unsure why she had not yet started a savings fund/established a special needs trust for him, and asked advice from followers of her page as to what steps they had taken – the answers were as swift as they were helpful.