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We had a full room of parents attend our seminar on Wednesday, October 14th at the DSAOC Center on the subject of estate planning. The session was led by Xavier Zatizabal, MBA, a financial planner with MetDESK. Thanks Xavier!
Be sure to watch the DSAOC calendar for other upcoming workshops on important financial and estate planning topics.
DSAOC is initiating an ongoing series of parent healthcare seminars to be held at the DSAOC Center. Designed to address a wide range of important health topics related to Down syndrome, the presenters will include physicians, therapists, and other healthcare providers.
The first seminar will be conducted on Wednesday, November 18th from 6:30-8:00 PM. Ira T. Lott, MD will be presenting on the topic of Down Syndrome: A Link Between Development and Aging.
Dr. Lott is the Division Chief of Pediatric Neurology and the Medical Director of Neurology at CHOC Children’s. He is also a Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine.
Be sure to sign up early for this presentation by calling the Center at 714-540-5794, or online by clicking here.
We had more than 100 people attend DSAOC’s Annual Trick or Trunk event on Saturday at Mile Square Regional Park. Thanks to everyone that helped make it a great success!
REMINDER: For teens with Down syndrome ages 12 to 17. This Friday, October 16th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM there’s a Halloween Bash scheduled at the DSAOC Center. Come dressed in costume and join your friends for an evening of fun and games. RSVP by calling the Center at 714-540-5794, or online by clicking here.
iBN Sports announced today that it will become the official internet broadcast provider of the DSAOC.
The new relationship will allow DSAOC to take a big step forward in telling its story – including the ability to archive videos, produce documentaries, and live-stream events and presentations. These opportunities will greatly enhance our public awareness efforts, as well as allow us to develop a broad library of valuable online tools and resources for our families.
Be sure to watch for iBN Sports at the Buddy Walk on November 8th. To read the press release issued today, click here: iBN Sports Press Release 10/5/09
One of the new features on our website is an exciting and unique online auction and shopping site, powered by Dubli. And, DSAOC can receive up to 30% in commissions every time you use it. Here’s a chance to find some amazing deals and help DSAOC at the same time.
NDSS and NDSC are jointly requesting parents to complete a survey regarding the extent to which restraints. seclusion, and aversive procedures have been used with students with disabilities and special needs in public or private schools, or in residential facilities. The survey is available for completion until October 12th. For more info and survey click here: NDSS/NDSC SURVEY
…to the growing list of organizations, foundations, and corporations supporting DSAOC programs.
This week, the Allergan Foundation awarded DSAOC with a grant to help in our healthcare education and pediatric clinic campaign. Others will be announced soon. Among those already committed to the clinic campaign: OC Children & Families Commission, Ingram Micro Corporation, Valero Energy, Team Up Foundation, and Clipped Wings Foundation. And let’s not forget all the individual donations to support the clinic campaign – THANK YOU!
Ryan & Blake Sessler
DSAOC is featured in the October issue of the OC Gazette which reaches more than 100,000 homes in Orange County. The article includes a really nice interview with Ryan Sessler about his son Blake. And, it gave us another chance to promote the 2009 Buddy Walk. Nice way to start out Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
To read the article online: October Issue – OC Gazette
Mano a Mano – Juntos Podemos – that’s the name of a new DSAOC program designed specifically for our spanish speaking families. With funding support from the OC Children & Families Commission this ten week course is focused on enhancing early literacy skills for children 3-6 years of age, while helping parents to better understand the IEP process, as well as improve their own language skills. Initially the program, which already has a wait list, is limited to 15 families with planning under way for expanded sessions in the Spring. Sessions are being conducted each Saturday at the DSA
OC Center.
We’ve had people emailing us this link all week – so we posted it here so everyone else can see this great touchdown run. Just click here to watch:
https://espn.go.com/video/clipid=4498494&categoryid=2378529
We had 17 families spend their Labor Day Weekend at Family Camp held up at YMCA Camp Oakes. Among the many outdoor activities available to enjoy during their stay were swimming, hiking, archery, canoeing, and horseback riding. Many thanks to Marissa Little for being the driving force in organizing the camp, along with Kristi Golden and Sandi Curtis for participating on the planning committee. All reports back sound like everyone had a fantastic weekend!
We’re happy to report that Kellie (Perez) Tuchowsky and her husband Frank are the proud new parents of Gabriella – born on Friday, September 18th. Kellie is on leave from her role as the DSAOC Director of Community Relations and will return to the office in November.
Congratulations to Kellie, Frank, and Gabbi’s sister-Alex!
Soka University Campus
It’s safe to say there was strong consensus among families participating in the 2009 Orange County Bike Camp that the location was a hit! Soka University in Aliso Viejo generously allowed our campers to take over its main gymnasium facility for an entire week in August. The setting was both beautiful and well suited for learning how to ride a bike. And, the air conditioning certainly helped keep everyone cool during the process. More than 98% of the families gave the university the highest rating in a post-camp survey.
Many thanks to Soka University, its administration and staff for helping to make the camp such a great success!
We were honored to have Dr. Richard Mungo make a presentation about pediatric dental care at our recent meeting of the DSAOC 0-3 Support Group. As you can see from the photo he had a packed house for the presentation. The Support Group meets on the 1st Thursday of each month from 7:00-9:00 PM at the DSAOC Center. For more information call the Center at 714-540-5794.
DSAOC recently announced the appointment of three new members to serve on its Board of Directors. Brenda Deeley, Senior Vice President at Porter Novelli; Ira Lott, MD, Chief of Neurology at UCI and CHOC’s Children’s Hospital; and Stephanie Ontiveros, a teacher at Oxford Academy were all selected to serve a two year term on the organization’s governing body. Welcome to the Board!
Keith Bradley-Ingram Micro Sr. EVP; Lanny Hardy; Ken Bast-Ingram Micro VP
DSAOC was the recent recipient of a generous contribution from the Ingram Micro Corporation. Lanny Hardy, DSAOC Executive Director was presented with the check in a ceremony following the Ingram Micro Charity Golf Tournament held on July 25th at the Tustin Ranch Country Club. Funds will be used to support DSAOC’s pediatric clinic campaign.
Kellie Perez, Lori Avalos, Ryan Avalos, Elizabeth Hardy
DSAOC is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Hardy has been selected as the recipient of its 2009 Educator of the Year Award. Ms. Hardy is a Special Education teacher at Lord Baden Powell Elementary School in Anaheim. She was recently presented the award during an end of year student assembly. Susan Smith is the school’s principal.
Nominations for the award were submitted by parents, and open to all K-12 educators teaching in Orange County. This is the 11th year that DSAOC has presented the award which celebrates educators whose outstanding efforts and innovations have helped a student learn and grow on a pathway to reaching their full potential at school, work, and in the community.
