The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) is inviting proposals in response to the  6th Annual Educator’s Forum on Including Students with Down Syndrome.  Click here for a copy of the Call For Proposals.

The conference which is scheduled for November 12th, 2009 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester will provide educators with the opportunity to network, exchange innovative ideas and best practices and to call upon the educational community to affirm the inclusion and accommodation of youth with Down syndrome in all aspects of education.

A diverse group of professionals from the educational community will participate in the conference. Educators from a wide variety of schools from across Massachusetts will attend.

Participants that are new to the field as well as seasoned professionals will be in attendance. In 2008, over 200 educators from over 100 school systems in Massachusetts participated including:

·        Elementary, Middle and High School General Education Teachers

·        Special Education Teachers

·        School Administrators

·        Educational Support Personnel

·        Occupational Therapists

·        Speech Pathologists

·        Inclusion Specialists

·        Educational/Planning Teams

Please pass this information onto educators and others who would like to share their Best Practices.  Proposals deadline has been extended until July 17th.  For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

MDSC has once again been approved by the Cigna Falmouth Road Race Committee as part of their Numbers-for-Nonprofits program. As part of this program MDSC is granted entries into the race and is able to use them to help raise awareness and funds for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. In order to be eligible for one of the numbers interested parties must go through the application process and agree to raise a minimum of $750. Applications are due back by May 29^th. The 37th CIGNA Falmouth Road Race takes place on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, 10a.m. 

To donate to the MDSC team go to http://mdsc.kintera.org/FalmouthRR2009 

The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress is proud to announce the formation of an Honorary Board of Directors to help the organization expand its capabilities and strategic goals. "I very much look forward to working with our Honorary Directors," says Dr. Brian Skotko, Chair of the MDSC's Board of Directors. "Through their time, talent and treasures, we will truly be able to take the organization to a whole new level."

The Honorary Board of Directors will serve in an advisory capacity to the organization’s regular Board of Directors.  Neal Lyons, who will serve as the Chair of the Honorary Board of Directors, says, “We have important work to do.  As Honorary Directors, we plan to extend our connections and contributions to ensure that the MDSC can reach even more people in even more meaningful ways.”

The MDSC welcomes the following persons to its Honorary Board of Directors:

• Mr. Fran Callaghan, Jr., and Ms. Gillian Callaghan
• Dr. Allen Crocker
• Mr. Ed DeNoble and Mrs. Allyson DeNoble
• Dr. Jim DeVellis and Ms. Ann Kelly
• Mr. Roger Kafker and Mrs. Dawn Kafker
• Mr. Neal Lyons and Mrs. Kathy Lyons
• Dr. Sohail Masood and Mrs. Mona Masood
• Representative Tom Sannicandro
• Senator Karen Spilka

The MDSC is in the second year of its two-year Strategic Plan with a Vision of becoming the preeminent organization in Massachusetts for information, networking and advocacy for and about Down syndrome. The organization is striving to expand its governance and leadership capabilities so that new and expanded programs can reach the more than 5,000 families who have members with Down syndrome in Massachusetts. "Together, we can assure that people with Down syndrome maximize their potential and live fulfilling lives," says Maureen Gallagher, MDSC Executive Director.

For the first time, on April 20, 2009, 15 members of the MDSC Marathon Team took off to run the 26.2 miles in the Boston Marathon to raise funds and awareness for Down syndrome. This journey began back in August when MDSC was accepted as one of the Boston Athletic Associations Official Charities. What this meant for MDSC was that we would receive 15 entries to the marathon that we could give to runners who were willing to raise at least $3,000 for us all while creating awareness for our organization and its mission. The applications went out in September and over the next several months there was a narrowing down process which led us to our final team of 15 people. Each of these incredible individuals has a passion for MDSC and have been training and fundraising over the past several months.  We can not thank the runners enough for their dedication. To read a post event article about one of our runners click here.

Together as a team they raised over $62,000.  If you are interested in sponsoring  one of our runners with a donation you can visit their donation page at http://mdsc.kintera.org/bostonmarathon2009.  Each runner has a compelling story (see our runner profiles below)  and is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and adults with Down syndrome and their families.  

Thank you to everyone who was there along the marathon route cheering them on.  

The ‘Power of the Dream’- themed MDSC conference brought together families, friends, supporters, champions, educators, health care providers and individuals with Down syndrome for a one-day exposition comprised of workshops, keynote address, awards ceremony and exhibitors.  500 attendees were showered with opportunities to participate in break-out workshops for parents, educators, young adults and brothers & sisters. A sampling of workshops included: “On being a new parent,” “What the Other Children without Down Syndrome Are Thinking: Lessons from Brothers and Sisters,” “Adults with Down syndrome: Preparing Now for a Healthy Future,” “Special Needs Financial Planning,” and “Becoming an Advocate.”

The highlight of the conference this year was the keynote speaker, Special Olympics Global Messenger and Olympian Melissa Reilly  who received a standing ovation after she presented her own personal story of Down syndrome and life with it. (To read Melissa's speech please click here.) Reilly, who has received many medals, is most proud of her silver medal earned for the slalom event at the Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Reilly has invested the last several years as a self-advocate and today completes regular public speaking engagements with physicians and medical staff across Massachusetts, including at Harvard University Medical School.

Joined by more than 300 Down syndrome advocates from across the country, the MDSC leaders lobbied Capitol Hill on important legislation surrounding financial security for individuals with disabilities, the establishment of up-to-date and accurate information about Down syndrome, and support for continued Down syndrome research. According to MDSC Executive Director Maureen Gallagher, “Many positive things resulted from our participation at this Conference, including initial discussion about the establishment of a national ‘gold standard’ of what is essential information for all expectant parents to have when the issue of Down syndrome is raised.  Many Down syndrome leaders agreed that current information about health care needs, life expectancy, quality of life and an updated portrayal of individuals with Down syndrome is paramount to allay concerns and supplant historic stereotypes that have frequently led to increased fear.”

The story highlights the program and its director, Mickey Cassella, Director of the Department of Physical Therapy at Children's Hospital in Boston, who teamed with the Boston Ballet in 2002 to create this Adaptive Dance Program for children with Down syndrome.  Staff from both Children’s Hospital and Boston Ballet join Cassella in her work with the children in this unique program to promote creative expression through dance. 

MDSC featured the dance troupe at the 25^th Anniversary celebration in July at the Seaport World Trade Center where they received a standing ovation for their outstanding performance.   The Boston Ballet Adaptive Dance Program also received the Allen C. Crocker Award of Excellence from MDSC in 2007.

Pick up your copy of People Magazine today to see the beautiful collage of photos of the dancers in action.

Learn more about Boston Ballet's Adaptive Dance Program.

On Saturday, January 10^th MDSC paired with the Boston Bruins for Down Syndrome Awareness Day at the TD Banknorth Garden. There was a sold out crowd including over 200 people that attended in support of MDSC. It was a great game to watch with the Bruins winning 5-1 over the Carolina Hurricanes.  

MDSC had over 20 volunteers selling 50/50 raffle tickets, and with their efforts Down Syndrome Awareness Day will go down in history as the highest grossing 50/50 raffle in Bruins history. A public service announcement was played over the jumbotron and featured live footage of MDSC member Matthew Cullen and his family. At the start of the third period MDSC members Matthew Shea, James Hintlian and Brendon Whalen had a fan experience and were able to high-five the players as they entered the ice for the final period of the game.

The day was a huge success with great awareness created for the MDSC and Down syndrome and over $7,500 raised for MDSC.

On Sunday, November 23rd, members of the Boston Bruins Alumni hockey team strapped on their skates in a benefit game against the MDSC All-Stars at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough. Sports greats including Bob Sweeney, Rick Middleton, Cleon Daskalakis, Reggie Lemelin, Kenny Hodge, Bobby Miller, Tom Songin, Don Marcotte,  Frank Simonetti, Terry O’Reilly, Andy Brickley, Bob Beers and Dick Lamby  played a two-period game against the MDSC All-Stars which included 23-year-old Matthew Shea, a young man with Down syndrome who has played hockey for over 10 years. This was the 4th time the MDSC All-Stars challenged the Bruins Alumni in an exhibition game in support of Down syndrome awareness.  

To kick-off the event, the crowd of over 1,000 supporters were invited to ‘free skate' with former Bruins players and MDSC All-Stars as well as Finz the mascot of the Worcester Sharks.

MDSC Board President, Charlie Gadbois, recognized the tremendous efforts of the MDSC All-Star Team and sponsors that helped raise over $80,000 to support the MDSC.  Special recognition was given to Rick Middleton, President of the Boston Bruins Alumni, who played a key role in organizing the event as well as to long-time friend of MDSC, Bob Sweeney, who is the Director of Development at the Boston Bruins Foundation.

Advocates in Motion kicked off with a bang this fall. There are lots of exciting happenings to report!

 

11 AIM self-advocates and their families gathered to volunteer and walk together as a group at the MDSC’s 12th annual Buddy Walk this past October 12th, 2008. The volunteers staffed the name tag table and greeted all the Buddy walkers as they arrived. The AIM welcoming committee enthusiastically worked the crowd, and then journeyed together on the 3 mile walk around Lake Quannapowitt. The afternoon ended with some fun, interactive dance lessons from Dance Force Entertainment, and many of the AIM self-advocate volunteers were on hand to help pump up the crowd and to encourage everyone to get up and dance. It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon one week before the official start of AIM! Thanks to all the AIM volunteers who came out to promote self-advocacy for young adults with Down syndrome.