How Did You Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day?

This is how one family celebrated World Down Syndrome Day this year:

 This year it worked out for our family to give peer presentations to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades at Bennet Elementary. My husband, Kris, did all the presentations 3rd - 6th grade. He spent about a 1/2 hour in each grade talking about our son Ben, World Down Syndrome Day, showing them the "Just Like You" video and then having a question/answer session. The kids and adults asked very thoughtful questions and he felt like he had some great discussions with each grade level. Our son, Ben, is in the second grade at Bennet Elementary and I joined Kris for this presentation. We spent about 45 minutes discussing Down syndrome, watching the "Just Like You" video and having a question/answer session, then doing a few other activities. At the end we handed out bracelets to all the kids and adults in the second grade and asked them to help us talk to others about Down syndrome. At the end of the day each student, 2nd - 6th grade, was sent home with a letter to the parents talking about what was discussed during our presentations. We had a great day and we were pleased by the positive feedback we receive from teachers/staff and parents afterwards. We are very thankful for Bennet Elementary and the opportunity they gave us to share!

We have been praying that God would use us, to impact the people around us. We are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of God's bigger plan! Ben is very special to us and we have always known that God has big plans for him and the people he impacts along his path. :) Praise God!!

I included the three pictures that Ben's Special Ed teacher took of us during our 2nd grade presentation.

Kris and Lisa Phillips

DSAF Members

World Down Syndrome Day Coverage

Yesterday 3/21 was World Down Syndrome Day. The day was chosen to represent the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome that are present in a person with Down syndrome.

In honor of this special day the DSAF of NE hosted a fundraiser at Noodles and Company, where extra chairs had to be brought out and the line stretched out the door at one point. 

The local news caught our with President, Deb Safarik and her son Paul yesterday afternoon at his Baritone lessen.

 Please enjoy this news clip.

Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day 2013

March 21st, is World Down Syndrome Day. This day was selected because Down syndrome or Trisomy 21 happens when there are 3 copies of the 21st chromosome. In addition to wearing your DSAF limited edition WDSD t-shirts, to celebrate and to help raise awareness please wear socks…BUT NOT JUST ANY SOCKS…brightly colored socks, mismatched socks, long socks, printed socks, 1 sock…maybe even 3 socks (or EXTRA socks) for 3 chromosomes. Just so long as they are socks which are on display and people will ask you about.   Then you can take the opportunity to tell others about your favorite individual with Down syndrome. 

Hope to see lots of brightly colored socks tomorrow!

Have Fun!

Proclamation Signing

Governor Heineman signs a proclamation declaring March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day in the State of Nebraska.

 On March 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Warner Chamber at the Capitol,  DSAF Famlilies gathered together to receive the proclimation signed by Governor Heineman, Declaring March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day. 

 

DSAF of Ne 2013 Educational Conference

 

Helping children with special needs meet their full potential.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the March 2, 2013 Educational Conference such a huge success!

We would like to offer a special thank you to our presenters: Dean Fuelberth, Angie Willey, DeAnna Horstmeier, Amy Allison, Meredith Martin, Jean Anderson, Bill McGrath and Dixie Trevarthen (not photgraphed)

Lil' Stars Sign and Play Class

The Lil' Stars started the year with a fun Sign and Play class. On January 5th at St Luke's Church, the kids had fun learning new signs that related to eating and food and practiced using signs they already knew. They sang a song, read a story and played a game where they got to "feed" Hopkins the frog. Angie Willey fellow DSAF mom and ABC Signing Kids Instructor let the class. Hopefully this will be the first of many fun Sign and Play classes hosted by the DSAF of NE.

Jake "feeding" Hopkins

Abbie looking cute.

 

Emery snuggled under the blanket, and Maggie sat with her mom to hear the Hungry Caterpillar story.

 

Jennifer helping Tyler sign orange.

Decker had fun with the toys.

 

 

Thank You for a Great 2012!

The DSAF of Nebraska had a great 2012.  What made it so great?  All of our wonderful members!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers that worked so hard this year! 
There are so many individuals who volunteer their time and talents and work together to make each event happen.  We are so thankful for each and every one of you.  You efforts have helped our organization to grow in so many ways.

Here are some of our highlights from the past year:  Mom's Nights Out,  Dad's Night Out, Noodles World Down Syndrome Day Fundraiser, March Madness Ball Night,  Sibling Workshop, Lil' Stars, Super Stars and Teen Stars events,  New Parent Meeting, iPad/iPod 101 workshop, Re-designed website, Swim Party, Christmas Party, and of course the record breaking Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk, and many of our fact posters "going viral" on Facebook.   

We were fortunate again to be the non profit organization who was the beneficiary of the JEO golf tournament fundraiser, and were thankful to have a strong showing of members who golfed and/or volunteered.

The DSAF also enjoyed being a member of the ONE Coalition which is a group of non-profits in the Lincoln area who work together to put on events like the Special Need Fishing Clinic, and the very popular Husker Heroes. 

What will 2013 bring?  There are many exciting things currently being planned.  We will have our first Sign and Play class in less than a week.  We are also looking forward to hosting the 2013 Educational Conference in March.  

What else do you want to see in 2013?  We want to know.  Click here to access a survey to let us know what programs you want to see.  Is there something not currently being offered?  Why not volunteer and make it happen.  We would love to have your be part of the DSAF family of volunteers in 2013.

Happy New Year!