Author and singer Marcus Sikora's latest book

There is a new book out that we think you should read.  It is called Black Day: The Monster Rock Band.  Not only does it have a great storyline and really cool art, but there is a cool song too.  You know what would be great – if you could hear from the author.  Wouldn’t that be great?  Well read on and then listen in.

The author is Marcus Sikora, a 25 year old creative soul who has Down syndrome and lives in Omaha, Nebraska.  We got a chance to talk to him and his dad, Quinn Sikora.  We heard about everything from the creative process to book release and all that goes with it.

Hopefully it is not a spoiler, but the book is about a band.  So they decided to have fun with it and form the band (at least to record the title song).  So if you listen in, you also get to listen to the song!  We really liked the song but what was super cool was the reaction that my son Luke had – He could not sit still and listen because he had to dance.  Now every time you say ‘We are the Band’ to Luke he shouts ‘Black Day!’

Hear the interview: http://downrightawesome.com/archives/936

Find out more at  www.blackdaybook.com.

If I Could See Through Your Eyes

You probably already saw it but if not then spend a couple minutes watching this new music video from The Costa Crew called "If I Could See Through Your Eyes" a song about seeing life through the eyes of people who are differently abled. 

http://youtu.be/O2CGFuqFt7E

And here's a great article from The Mighty on the song.

http://themighty.com/2015/09/music-video-imagines-world-though-the-eyes-of-children-with-special-needs/

First Indian athlete to compete for NZ at World Summer Games

from Indian Weekender, IWK Bureau:
The 36 Special Olympics New Zealand athletes and 17 volunteers taking part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2015 in Los Angeles, are set to depart for the competition in just a couple of weeks.
Amongst them is Special Olympics North Harbour athlete Pratima Patel, who is the first New Zealand athlete of Indian origin ever to compete at the Special Olympics World Summer Games.
The Special Olympics World Summer Games 2015, known as “LA2015”, will see 7000 athletes from 170 countries compete at the event being held from 25 July 2015 to 2 August 2015. The New Zealand delegation includes 34 athletes with intellectual disabilities, two ‘Unified Partners’ (athletes without an intellectual disability), and 17 coaches, managers and support staff. The athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, equestrian, golf, powerlifting, and tenpin bowling.

Boy defies Down syndrome, begins 320-mile walk

by Haley Warwick from WLKY.com:
Hardin County, Ky. —Be on the lookout for a boy walking the Lincoln Trail through Aug. 2. 

Josh Kimble, 17, geared up for Dream Walk 2.
This 320-mile, 32-day adventure is intended to help change the world for 49 million families facing disabilities in the United States.
Kimble has Down syndrome, but said it doesn't have him.
He had walked 98 miles to the Capitol steps in Frankfort, Kentucky in 2013.
Dream Walk 2 started at Abe Lincoln's birth place in Hodgenville, Kentucky, and will end at his resting place in Springfield, Illinois.
Friday, he walked through Hardin County, Kentucky.
The theme for the walk is "Honoring Our Heroes."
Kimble wants everyone to participate in making his dream come true by providing a place where everyone can "Honor Our Heroes" online.
To learn how you can honor your very own hero, go to www.joshuasfriends.org/honor-our-heroes.com.

County settles with family of boy with Down Syndrome for $1million

from: ABC 10 News by: Christina Severance
VISTA - The County of San Diego has agreed to pay the family of Antonio Martinez $1 million to settle a lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Jeffrey Guy.
The settlement stipulates the $1 million payout and that Sheriff Gore will meet with the Martinez family and attorney.
Martinez, 22, has Down syndrome and lives in Vista with his family. He functions at the level of a 7-year-old, according to doctors and his school records.
The Martinez family filed a lawsuit against the county and Guy after alleging excessive use of force, a violation of Antonio Martinez's constitutional rights, and questioning how law enforcement interacts and deals with mentally disabled people.