Events Calendar
Western MA Family Gathering!
2024 UnstoppABLE Buddy Walk
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Each month, we offer a virtual support group for breastfeeding, pumping, and expectant mothers of babies with Down syndrome, co-moderated by Jill Rabin, SLP, IBCLC and Rachel Murphy, RN, IBCLC mother of breastfed child with Down syndrome. Come share about your journey, meet other mothers, and ask any questions you may have! Common topics include sleepiness, weight gain, NICU stay, getting back to breast, breastfeeding with cardiac or other conditions or surgeries. Please note time zone and adjust accordingly.
We may occasionally welcome medical students who are interested in gaining information and insight about breastfeeding babies with Down syndrome to benefit their knowledge and practice.
To ensure the respectful space of expectant and new moms, we ask that you find a private space for this meeting and please note that dads/male partners are not allowed to participate. We hope you appreciate the sensitivities and safe space we provide. We look forward to meeting you!
The group is free, but advanced registration is required.
This group typically meets the first Thursday of each month, but exact dates show when you register below! You will be sent a Zoom link for each session you register for.
Join us for the Buddy Walk in Wakefield on October 8th as we walk around Lake Quanapowitt as we have for more than 25 years to celebrate the inclusion of all individuals with Down syndrome!
Our theme for 2023 is Reach, and we hope you join us in-person as we celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and explore how we can REACH individually and collectively to ensure all people with Down syndrome have access to quality health care, inclusive education, employment opportunities and cutting edge research.
Join us at our next New Family Social on Saturday, October 14th from 10 – 12 in the lower level conference room at 20 Burlington Mall Rd, Burlington, MA. Our New Family Socials are informal warm gatherings to meet other families, receive support and resources and share!
PLEASE PRE-REGISTER!
If you or anyone in your family is not feeling well, we ask that you stay home to ensure a safe, healthy environment for our families!
We look forward to hosting our next Zoom on Thursday, October 19th from 10:00-11:00 AM. The MDSC Grandparent Zooms are an opportunity to share and connect with other grandparents, learn about MDSC resources and feel supported and inspired!
Please register using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Join us for a baby sign language workshop for newer parents! This workshop will provide an introduction to using American Sign Language vocabulary in order to facilitate communication with your little one. You’ll learn when and how to start, what signs to start with, and strategies for incorporating sign language into your daily routine. We’ll have fun learning how to add signs to songs you and your baby already know and love to sing! This workshop is geared for parents of infants and toddlers.
This is an interactive workshop, so it would be great if you have your child with you, but if he/she is napping no worries…join us anyway for lots of fun learning!
Lane Rebelo, LCSW, is the author of including Baby Sign Language Made Easy, The Complete Guide to Baby Sign Language, My First Book of Baby Signs, and Baby Sign Language Songs and Games. She is the founder of Tiny Signs®, an award-winning baby sign language program. As a licensed social worker, Lane worked for many years with families in the Boston area. Lane began studying American Sign Language in 2006 after her first baby was born and was amazed by all she had to say. She lives with her husband and two children in MetroWest Boston.
YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Each month, we offer a virtual support group for breastfeeding, pumping, and expectant mothers of babies with Down syndrome, co-moderated by Jill Rabin, SLP, IBCLC and Rachel Murphy, RN, IBCLC mother of breastfed child with Down syndrome. Come share about your journey, meet other mothers, and ask any questions you may have! Common topics include sleepiness, weight gain, NICU stay, getting back to breast, breastfeeding with cardiac or other conditions or surgeries. Please note time zone and adjust accordingly.
We may occasionally welcome medical students who are interested in gaining information and insight about breastfeeding babies with Down syndrome to benefit their knowledge and practice.
To ensure the respectful space of expectant and new moms, we ask that you find a private space for this meeting and please note that dads/male partners are not allowed to participate. We hope you appreciate the sensitivities and safe space we provide. We look forward to meeting you!
The group is free, but advanced registration is required.
This group typically meets the first Thursday of each month, but exact dates show when you register below! You will be sent a Zoom link for each session you register for.
This event is for families whose child with Down syndrome is ages 4 – 12
$8 per child, 2 children max per family (scholarships available)
*Jam Time requires socks*
Pizza (including gluten-free), snacks and beverages will be provided
Please RSVP!
Any questions, please reach out to MDSC Family Support Director, Sarah Cullen at scullen@mdsc.org
We look forward to hosting our next Zoom on Wednesday, November 8th from 10-11 AM. The MDSC Grandparent Zooms are an opportunity to share and connect with other grandparents, learn about MDSC resources and feel supported and inspired!
Please register using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We look forward to hosting our next Zoom on Tuesday, December 5th from 12-1 PM. The MDSC Grandparent Zooms are an opportunity to share and connect with other grandparents, learn about MDSC resources and feel supported and inspired!
Please register using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Each month, we offer a virtual support group for breastfeeding, pumping, and expectant mothers of babies with Down syndrome, co-moderated by Jill Rabin, SLP, IBCLC and Rachel Murphy, RN, IBCLC mother of breastfed child with Down syndrome. Come share about your journey, meet other mothers, and ask any questions you may have! Common topics include sleepiness, weight gain, NICU stay, getting back to breast, breastfeeding with cardiac or other conditions or surgeries. Please note time zone and adjust accordingly.
We may occasionally welcome medical students who are interested in gaining information and insight about breastfeeding babies with Down syndrome to benefit their knowledge and practice.
To ensure the respectful space of expectant and new moms, we ask that you find a private space for this meeting and please note that dads/male partners are not allowed to participate. We hope you appreciate the sensitivities and safe space we provide. We look forward to meeting you!
The group is free, but advanced registration is required.
This group typically meets the first Thursday of each month, but exact dates show when you register below! You will be sent a Zoom link for each session you register for.