News

2010 Buddy Walk Scholarship In Memory of Gregory “Grampy” Benson The Delaware Buddy Walk began seven years ago under the inspiration and pure will of several key DSA of DE families. Coleen Popp was and continues to be one of the BW leaders who makes our walk happen. As many have recognized over the years Coleen and her extended Popp-Beighley-Benson family have given countless hours to making the walk the success that it is today. Coleen’s grandfather, Gregory “Grampy” Benson, like many grandfathers, was the spirit that guided and energized the family to have faith in their commitment to our mission. To honor the memory of Grampy, the DSA of DE wishes to recognize him and the Popp-Beighley-Benson family for their contributions and dedication to the DSA of DE Buddy Walk through the 2010 Buddy Walk Scholarship. Thank you Grampy.

New Center Provides Comprehensive Care for People with Special Needs

Caitlin Coughlan and Michael Pasquale represented SODE and Best Buddies Delaware, respectively, at this year’s Capitol Hill Day, and for them, the venture to the nation’s Capitol included an unexpected stop.

Loyola University Maryland in association with Kennedy Krieger Institute is currently recruiting typically-developing siblings between the ages of 11 and 17, of children diagnosed with an Down syndrome or an Autism Spectrum Disorder for an online study. This project is looking at psychological adjustment and perceived relationship quality in typically-developing siblings of children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.

The way Patricia Moody approaches life is proof that her title of "The Happy Advocate" is absolutely accurate. Patricia very happily dedicates her time and energies as an advocate for others with Down's Syndrome.

Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers, a member of the Down Syndrome Caucus and a mother of a young boy with Down syndrome hopes to see many advocates on the hill this February for the Buddy Walk® on Washington. Cathy told us, "The Buddy Walk on Washington brings the local community and the Nation’s Capitol together to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome and to educate elected representatives on those issues affecting the Down syndrome community.” Read more BE INCLUDED... BE INVOLVED... BE INSPIRED!

Here's one reason Micah Fialka-Feldman wants to live on his college campus, instead of remaining at home with his parents: To get to college in the morning, he takes the public bus near his home, then transfers to a second bus. The trip takes about two hours. There is more to this story and Micah's desire to live on campus.

Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act Introduced in Congress– Importance for Down Syndrome Biomedical Research and New Opportunities On September 25, 2009, the Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act of 2009, or the “21 Act” (H.R. 3656) was introduced in the US House of Representatives by Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), and Pete Sessions (R-TX). A companion bill (S. 1762) was introduced on October 7, 2009 in the US Senate by Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Read more about this act and how you can help.

Spartan Sparkles Cheerleaders Inspire Young Girls - Video - Oprah.com

Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) has introduced "Rosa's Law," a bill that will eliminate the terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from the federal law books. Senator Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.), U.S.Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, is the Republican sponsor of the bill. Rosa is a young girl with Down syndrome living in Maryland.

2010 Empowerment Conference Voices and Choices A Pathway to Self-Confidence and Success Sunday, January 10, 2010 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Clayton Hall - University of Delaware

DSA of DE will sponsor a talent show Reaching For the Stars on December 11, 2009 at Cab Calloway School. We invite individuals with DS high school age or older to show off their talent at this event. So if you can sing, dance or have another hidden talent....we want you!!!! Rehearsals start soon so contact us ASAP if you would like to participate. Click on View Full Story for the flier with more details and contact information.

New guidelines for physicians: How to give a diagnosis of Down syndrome by Children's Hospital Boston staff on September 30, 2009 by Brian Skotko, MD, MPP

Cathy McMorris Rodgers Update on National Down Syndrome Caucus

Down Syndrome Regional Council will host a one day seminar on Techniques for Success in the classroom for those with Down syndrome. See full content for more information and details.

DSA of DE is organizing a new community based team based in the bear/newark/middetown area targeting younger athletes. The team will be call the Delaware Destroyers. The Destroyers first team event will be Bowling Dec 12. The team will also compete in baskeball skills in winter, and swimming and track in the summer. The team is open to any individual who qualifies for Special Olympics Delaware. For more information or to joing contact info@dsaofdelaware.org

New article examines the influence of current tests on birth rates, assesses forthcoming tests, and calls for the establishment of medical and educational policies

DSA of DE has implemented a new scholarship program for families of children with Down syndrome that live in the DSA of DE service area.

Immediate Action Needed on Important Disabliity Provisions Two Action Alerts Call your Senators

January 2009

The National Down Syndrome Society Celebrates A Legislative Victory The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 Unbolts Doors for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Essay: Mothers share experiences, feelings about children with Down syndrome By BEVERLY BECKHAM The Boston Globe

Follow the link to view pictures taking by self-advocate Jonathan Stoklosa and his father Hank at the most recent R-Word protest Rally Aug 13, 2008 as well a from the 2008 Buddy Walk and Run

"The r-word is hate speech that perpetuates the negative stereotypes that face people with intellectual disabilities every day." Pledge your support to eliminate the demeaning use of the r-word by visiting www.r-word.org

June 2008 Newsletter

April 2008 Newsletter