News

Mental Retardation Slurs Have Long History, but Cost Nothing to Change, Say Advocates

National Down Syndrome Society's My Great Story section features Dennis Diehl's brother-in-law, David.

Down Syndrome Association of Delaware and Easter Seals Delaware proudly host Gross Motor Development in Children with Down Syndrome present by Patricia Winders, PT Friday, September 17, 2010 8:00am — 4:00pm

By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY In 1950, when Marybeth Solinski was born, a diagnosis of Down syndrome was practically a death sentence. Children with the condition often died before their 10th birthday. Yet Solinski, at 59, has outlived her parents. She has even joined AARP. Her longevity illustrates the dramatic progress for people with Down syndrome. Thanks to better medical care, the average life expectancy for a child with Down syndrome is now 60 years, according to the National Down Syndrome Society, which estimates that about 400,000 people are living with the condition in the USA.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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