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Archive for May, 2010

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Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Dr. Brian Skotko, who has a sibling with Down syndrome, created an online course for pediatricians to learn more about their patients with Down syndrome.

 

Parents, please pass this information and link along to your child’s physician and local clinics.

 

Harvard Medical School Course:harvard

 

Down Syndrome: Healthcare Updates for the Primary Care Pediatrician  

 

Acknowledgement: This course is supported by educational grants from Celera and the Applera Charitable Foundation.

 

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition in humans, but do you know the latest evidence-based medicine on how to best manage these patients? Much has changed since medical school! Many healthcare guidelines and emerging literature are changing the way that individuals with Down syndrome are diagnosed, followed, and managed. Astute physicians can now detect associated conditions before they become symptomatic in an effort to maximize health care development. The goal of this course if to review the latest advances in healthcare management of children with Down syndrome so that primary care pediatricians and other interested health care professionals can provide exceptional care.

 

Online course information and registration

Going to Bat for Down syndrome

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Andy LaRoche, third baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, appeared on a TV series called “Facing Life Head On”. 

Watch this heartwarming episode about Andy’s passion for touching the lives of children with Down syndrome, and the impact these children have on his life.

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Monica & David – a documentary exploring the relationship of a couple with Down syndrome

Monday, May 24th, 2010

The film, Monica & David, follows a 30-something couple with Down syndrome as they get married and struggle to assert their independence. It won the Tribeca festival’s award for best documentary feature.

The film is scheduled to premiere on HBO in October of this year.

Read more

Best Buddies Prom a special night for all

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
Shawn Mierzcynski, center, and Katie Jamison, right, join a conga line during the Best Buddies prom at Villa Park High School on Friday.

Shawn Mierzcynski, center, and Katie Jamison, right, join a conga line during the Best Buddies prom at Villa Park High School on Friday.

Great article about a special prom for special students in the OC Register. High school students with disabilities across O.C. party at the Best Buddies Prom at Villa Park High.

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Watch ABC’s “What Would You Do?” Tonight!

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Video footage from NDSC’s “We’re More Alike Than Different” campaign will be included in tonight’s edition of ABC’s “20/20: What Would You Do?” at 10 PM ET/9 PM CT. 

The segment will use an actor with Down syndrome to portray a grocery store bagger who is berated by a customer (another actor). The question posed by the television show is, what will other shoppers do? Hidden cameras reveal the answer and speak to the need for us all to advocate for workers with disabilities. In a clip from the NDSC video, self advocates Christi Hockel and Mark Hublar are shown at their respective real-life jobs at Safeway and Wal Mart, demonstrating that employees with Down syndrome are more like their colleagues than they are different.

Ask your friends and neighbors to watch tonight’s show and then ask them, “what would you do?” You might discover that you have a wonderful opportunity to educate and advocate!

ndsc-rszd

National Down Syndrome Congress
1370 Center Drive, Suite 102
Atlanta, Georgia 30338
800-232-6372/770-604-9500

Thank you Valero!

Friday, May 7th, 2010
Valero Supervisors, Mark Rodriguez and Matt Wilkins along with other Valero employees join Tres Heald (DSAOC Board President), Dr. Lott (Director, Child Neurology UCI/CHOC) and  children and teens with Down syndrome at CHOC Children’s in Orange.

Valero Supervisors, Mark Rodriguez and Matt Wilkins along with other Valero employees join Tres Heald (DSAOC Board President), Dr. Lott (Director, Child Neurology UCI/CHOC) and children and teens with Down syndrome at CHOC Children’s in Orange.

Since 2003, the Valero Refinery in Wilmington, CA has supported DSAOC through its annual Texas Open Benefit for Children Golf Classic.

Valero recently delivered a check to DSAOC for $10,000 to support the new CHOC Children’s Down Syndrome Program – a state-of-the-art pediatric clinic focused on the unique health care needs of children with Down syndrome.

Formed by an alliance between CHOC Children’s and the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County, the clinic is the largest and most significant project undertaken in DSAOC’s history. Financial support from the community is essential to the success of this program and DSAOC is extremely grateful to Valero for the continued show of support .

Thank you Valero!

For information on how you can contribute to the CHOC Children’s Down Syndrome Program , please contact the DSAOC Center at (714) 540-5794 or via e-mail at info@dsaoc.org. For information on the program, click here.

Wahoo’s fundraiser – results are in!

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Wahoo’s Fish Taco and Festival of Children recently worked together to help non-profits in Orange County raise funds for their programs and services.  DSAOC was thrilled to be involved in this fundraising opportunity and recently received a check for more than $500 from the Festival of Children!   

 

A big THANKS to our DSAOC families and friends who participated in this fundraiser, as well as to Wahoo’s Fish Taco and the Festival of Children for providing this opportunity.

 

The greatest prom date ever!

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

VILLA PARK – The girl was nervous.

Would the boy say yes and go with her to the prom?

 

Kayleen Boland, 17, a senior at Orange Lutheran High, went all out for the big moment.

 oc-reg-prom-article2

She walked up to Kevin Van Matre’s house carrying a homemade vanilla cake, green and blue balloons, and a big blue sign that said:  Kev! Will you go to the dance with me?  Kayleen punched the doorbell.  As she waited for Kevin, 18, to open the door, she thought:

 

What if he says no?

 

They met three years ago at 5 a.m. high school swim practice when they shared the same lane – Kayleen, the 6-foot-tall brunette, and Kevin, the 5-foot-2 boy with dark blond hair.

 

“We just clicked,” Kayleen says.

 

The more experienced of the two swimmers, Kevin started giving Kayleen unsolicited tips. 

 

“He likes to give orders,” she says.

 

“Kind of, yes!” he says.

 

They exchanged numbers, and started talking daily.  Kevin would begin every conversation the same way:  “KAYLEEN! What’s uppppppp! It’s Kev! Whatchya doin?!”

 

Kayleen loved Kevin’s giddy smile and his crazy dance moves, and the simplicity of their friendship, free of the usual teenage dramas.

 

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