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July News for You!
Down Syndrome Innovations offers services and supports at every age and stage to help your baby grow and thrive. This monthly newsletter is created for you and your family!
Our services and supports are rooted in our organization's Six Pillars:
- Daily Living
- Community Engagement
- Communication and Social Skills
- Health, Wellness and Safety
- Self-Advocacy
- Vocational Development
ARE YOU CONNECTED WITH US?
Do we have your updated contact information? What about your loved one's birthdate? Not sure?
Fill out a GET CONNECTED FORM and we will make sure we have everything we need to get your loved one plugged into services/supports!
Your Feedback is Vitally Important!
Parents, Caregivers, and Self-Advocates: we truly hope you will take the time to share your feedback with us on our 2022 Survey!
In 2019, we fielded this survey to gain insight into what's most important for your loved one with Down syndrome to thrive! With that information, we transformed our services and supports to better meet the needs of people with Down syndrome of ALL ages!
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM MOM & DAD: we encourage ALL caregivers in the household to take this survey, e.g. Mom and Dad of the self-advocate, so we may understand the entire family's experience and goals!
IMPORTANCE OF THIS SURVEY: we understand the survey is little lengthy (should take approximately 20 minutes), but it's critical for us to measure against what you told us in 2019, so we can see where we've made progress and where we still need to grow! This is how we can shape the future, together!
PLEASE NOTE: we have extended the deadline for the Survey to Sunday, August 28th at 11:55 pm CST.
There's Still Time!
RSVP for our Expectant & New Parent Gathering on Aug. 6th!
Join us NEXT SATURDAY (8/6) from 9 - 11 am at our Expectant & New Parents (and Extended Family) Gathering!
This is an opportunity for new parents and extended family members (prenatal – 2 years old) to connect with others, who have a young child with Down syndrome. Meet other parents at different stages of the journey, while getting connected with the services and supports that we provide at every age and stage throughout the lifespan. This is a great opportunity to have your questions answered and to exchange resources with other parents.
There will be an opportunity to explore our Lifelong Learning Campus and to participate in a facilitated discussion with other families.
Breakfast and childcare are provided, so please RSVP so we have adequate accommodations!
Lifelong Learning Campus
5916 Dearborn Street
Mission, KS 66202
These events are complimentary/free for our families, due to the generous support of our donors and grantors!
Join Us for Fall, Open Hours
on Our Adaptive Playground!
(Drop-In Playtime!)
Gather with other families to connect and have a safe and loving place to play on our new, adaptive playground on our campus. Stop by any time beginning August 1st (Monday – Thursday, 9 am to 6 pm) to enjoy our beautiful, adaptive playground that was donated to our mission!
This is an open playground setting, so please be sure to supervise your loved one as we will not have dedicated staff on the playground to supervise.
PLEASE NOTE: You don’t need to RSVP or have an appointment! Please just sign in at the front desk for security purposes.
Join Us for Family Day at Red Barn Farm!
Saturday, September 10th
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Weston Red Barn Farm
16300 Wilkerson Rd, Weston, MO 64098
Grab your family and join us as we gather this fall at Red Barn Farm! Enjoy hay rides, a corn maze, family games and visiting the farm animals. This is a great opportunity to connect with other families and make new friends!
Please be sure to register for this event, so we may have appropriate accommodations! RSVP HERE >>
Due to the generous support of our donors/grantors, this event is complimentary/free for our families!
Let's Gather Together and Celebrate!
2022 Step Up for Down Syndrome
Gather your family, friends, and supporters to recognize and celebrate the “Dream Team” of people, who are walking alongside your family on this journey!
A support team, even beyond family, is so critical for your loved one’s success at all stages of life. Here is your chance to create a tradition that brings your “Dream Team” together once a year to lift up your loved one and those who have helped along the way!
During Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October, we will host two Step Up Walks!
KC Step Up Walk: Sat, Oct.
22nd
Arrowhead Stadium, KC
< More Info >
Central Mo Step Up Walk: Sat, Oct. 8th
Stankowski Field: Mizzou, Columbia, MO
< More Info >
This is a tradition with memories that will last a lifetime!
Check out this video resource for new parents, where Medical Geneticist Brian Skotko, MD, MPP, of Mass General Brigham, addresses questions and answers related to the first year of life.
Book of the Month!
You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion
by Margaret O'Hair and Sofia Sanchez
Periodically, we will share different books that we have heard are great resources for new families! You Are Enough is described as a "beautiful and inclusive picture book all about celebrating being yourself from Down syndrome advocate and viral sensation Sofia Sanchez!"
Changing Lives with Employment!
Amanda Myers, CESP, our Employment Coordinator, recently recruited and trained 10 adults with Down syndrome as event staff for the Kansas City Chiefs! This is a result of a year-long collaboration between Down Syndrome Innovations and the Chiefs, who worked together to hire Chris and Carissa Ringot last year to work on the CommunityAmerica Club Level.
This year, Chris and Carissa (alongside Amanda) helped orient and train this season’s staff with a tour of the facility; sharing their experiences as seasoned employees; and offering guidance from their perspective.
Thank you to everyone at the Kansas City Chiefs for these important career opportunities for our community!
*If you see one of the 12 employees from our community, be sure to congratulate them on this exciting career advancement!
