On 19 December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day (A/RES/66/149). The General Assembly decided, with effect from 2012, to observe World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year, and invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome.
Why is this important?
For many years people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities were kept in institutions, deprived of health care, education and many other rights we take for granted today. It's thanks to the fights of brave parents before us, that we have the society we live in today where basic human rights of all, including with disabilities are protected.
We have a long way to go!
Although much work has been done, there are still many things we still need to do. Parents still fight to have their children with Down syndrome included in regular classes and to be accepted into post secondary education. We are frequently faced with discrimination when placing our children in programs and childcare, mainly due to the lack of understanding of Down syndrome. Employment opportunities are lacking, even though people with Down syndrome have so much to offer in the workplace.
You can help!
The fact you are reading this now is already a huge win for the DSASC! Thank you for your time! Here are a few simple ways you can help:
- Learn more about the abilities of people with Down syndrome! See the person first.. by becoming aware of the abilities of people with disabilities you are helping create a more accepting society for everyone.
- Spread the word! Spread the good news you've learned about people with Down syndrome to family and friends. Discussion leads to understanding.
- If you run a business or a service in our community, hire someone with Down syndrome! It has been proven that people with disabilities are dedicated, loyal employees. It's not only the right thing to do, it's good for business!
Please read more here:
Tim Horton's Franchisee hires people with disabilities
- Don't assume children with Down syndrome have any additional requirements for care in your programs. In some cases there might be, but like all children there is a wide range of personalities and abilities. As parents, we were becoming very discouraged by the discrimination we faced when trying to find daycare for our son Connor. We finally found an excellent daycare, who before accepting Connor performed research only to determine that they did not have to worry about taking care of our son. They now consider him the best behaved child in the daycare!
- Support the DSASC! We are a not for profit charitable organization with a mandate to enhance the lives of people with Down syndrome and raise awareness in our community. There are many ways you can help- Volunteer your time or resources at one of our many events, or speak to us about hosting your own event.
- Golf in our annual golf tournament to help us raise funds for our many programs. You could donate prizes for the tournament or silent auction.
- Consider directing some of your annual corporate fundraising efforts to the DSASC. We are a grassroots organization run almost exclusively on volunteers. Your donation goes directly to the cause.
-Join us! If you have are close to someone or a family of someone with Down syndrome, why not join the DSASC? You'll become aware of many exciting events, receive regular newsletters and helpful information.
Thank you for your time, and we look forward to speaking to you. If you have any questions, or comments, feel free to contact me below.
Steve O'Leary (Connor's dad)
webmaster@dsasc.ca
A letter from a thankful mom, March 18, 2013
It's
been almost 7 years since we were told with 99.9% certainty through
amniocentesis our child would be born with Down syndrome. Being new parents of our first child we were
devastated, not only by the news, but more in how we were treated by the
medical profession.
We could not have experienced all of this support without this great group of people and your generous donations go A LONG way!
Thank you for the wonderful family memories you have given us along the way.
Lisa
A review of the CANADIAN DOWN SYNDROME CONFERENCE “SEE THE ABILITY!!” by a DSASC member (The DSASC provides financial assistance to families to attend the conference)
After not attending a national conference for five plus years, I was eager to go to Toronto last May for inspiration and to network with professionals and other parents. The weekend proved to be both encouraging and entertaining . The quality of the workshops was good but lacked new information for us seasoned parents. However the preconference which addressed educational opportunities for our children was thought provoking and involved some great discussions between parents, educators and advocates. It has fueled me to EXPECT my child to learn and to EXPECT those teaching him to teach him. It is our role as parents and teachers to “think outside the box” and keep changing the ways we engage our kids…if no progress is made…then try something new…wait and repeat is not acceptable!!!!!
The key note and end note speakers, namely Marlee Matlin and famous astronaut Dr. Dave Williams, were captivating and truly inspirational!! Their life stories fit perfectly with the conference’s theme “See the Ability”!! Also to listen to the stories and learn about the lives of the remarkable members of ‘VO!CES’ left me with motivation for the future. All in all the conference was excellent!! It renewed my energy and enthusiasm for this great privilege we have collectively been given…to be the best parents and advocates possible for our beautiful unique children!!
Thank you DSASC for the financial contribution for this conference!!
Sincerely
Luke and Tara
We would like to express our sincere “thanks” to the DSASC for their support in attending the Great WolfLodge Down Syndrome Society Conference on October 19-21st. This was our first conference and we felt the experience was very positive. The setting alone was incredible. The kids had an amazing time in the waterpark and participating in all of the resort activities. The conference was excellent and provided mewith an opportunity to see that there are other families who are facing similar challenges. It was even more powerful that the keynote presenters were parents of a child with Down Syndrome. We laughed and we cried! I took away many valuable lessons from the individual workshops as well. We are looking forward to attending again next year!
Chris and Jana
Gold Medalist of Special Olympics Swimming
My Trip To The Spring Games In Kingston
Written By: Fiona Fryer
At the end of May 2012, I went to Kingston with my swim team and the bowling team to the Special Olympics Spring Games. On May 31, I got on a big coach bus with my team of athletes to go to the Spring Games. It was a long bus ride. We watched the movie Finding Nemo and had lots of fun. We had a great time but we were happy to get off to stretch our legs.
Our team stayed at Queens University because there were a lot of people. I had my own room and bathroom to myself. At 5:30 in the morning my coach knocked on our doors to get us up for breakfast. We had breakfast and dinner in the University cafeteria with the bowling team. It was cool staying there.
At the opening ceremonies I had lots of fun but I was a bit nervous because it was loud and there were lots of people. All the athletes for swimming and bowling walked in together and sat down.
They had music playing and people were cheering for all the teams.
After the ceremonies we went back to the university to go to bed and get rested for the next morning.
All my hard work paid off when I swam in the pool at the Royal Military College. I had to pay atten-
tion to when my name was called so I knew when my race was. In the pool I focused on everything I practiced when I was training in Barrie. My family, friends, coaches and people I did not know cheered me on. I was sotired but I still swam hard.
After the games I got four medals, 2 gold and 2 bronze. Other athletes also got medals. I was so excited because I got to go on the podium to get them. The line-up was so long to get on the podium so I had to wait my turn. I was speechless when I got there and then they gave me my medals and said my name. I felt great!
At the end of the spring games we had closing ceremonies. During the ceremonies we had a Much Music Video Dance. I danced my heart out. Everybody danced the whole night long and then we took pizza back to the University to eat after.
I had the time of my life. We had fun down in Kingston and I would love to do it again.
Fiona Fryer, Self Advocate, DSASC Member
