DSAF Annual Chirstmas Brunch

The snow and slick roads did not keep the majority of the DSAF families from attended the Annual DSAF Christmas Brunch, held on December 3, 2011.  The brunch was a time for families to reconnect, enjoy some good food, and reflect on all special things that come from loving an individual with an extra chromosome.  The kids look forward to seeing their friends, playing in the play room, and of course seeing Santa. 

It was also an opportunity for everyone to purchase their 2012 DSAF calender, featuring the pictures of the kiddos that were displayed along the Step Up for Down syndrome Walk route.  This year's calender features 35 different individuals and cost $6.  If you were not able to attend the brunch and would like a calender, please email dsafnebraska@gmail.com.

Here are some photos of the fun we had: 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the DSAF of Nebraska!

2011 Step Up Walk at OneTrueMedia.com

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DSAF Picnic and Swim Night

 We had a great turnout and a beautiful night for the DSAF of NE Annual Picnic and swim night.  Families enjoyed hamburgers and hotdogs from HyVee and a very awesome pot luck provided by all our members.  After enjoying the food and playing at the park, the group moved over to the UNI Pool to enjoy an hour of swimming.  Fun was had by all.  See for yourself:

Wrightslaw Conference

July 30 and 31, 2011, around ninety parents, educators, therapists and lawyers met at the Scottish Rite temple in downtown Lincoln to attend a Wrightslaw Conference.

What was the Wrightslaw Conference all about?  It was a conference put on my Pete Wright, an attorney who has represented children with disabilities since 1975 and is wife Pam who is a psychotherapist who writes about raising, educating and advocating for children with disabilities.  

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Left Pete Wright, Below Pam Wright.

At the conference we received three very important books written by the Wrights to help us learn to be better advocates for our children
 
From Emotions to Advocacy - teaches you how to plan, prepare, organize, and get quality special education services.
Wrightslaw Special Education Law, 2nd Edition: teaches you how to use the law as your sword and your shield.  Not only does it include the laws that you need to know to help advocate for your child, it also includes footnotes to help you understand the law.
Wrightstlaw: All About IEP's: This easy to read book helps explain what the law says about IEP teams and meetings, parental rights and consent, placement, transitions, assistive technology, and strategies to resolve disagreements.

Any one of these books alone could help you to be a better advocate, but the whole set gives you a firm foundation for helping to support your loved one with a disability.

Didn't make the conference?  Don't worry.  Book bundles are still available.  You can get all three books for just $40.00 (that's a $23 savings off the list price) and you can get them right here in Lincoln so there is no shipping cost.  Just contact Lori at   (402)421-1338 or lori@dsafnebraska.org.  But don't wait, supplies are limited!