Everything you need to know!
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August 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!
Expectant Parents & Parents/Caregivers of Newborns to 2 Year Olds: We Really Want Your Feedback!
Parents, Caregivers, and Self-Advocates: we truly hope you will take the time to share your feedback with us on our 2022 Survey!
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!
DEADLINE: The survey will be open until 11:55 pm on Sunday, July 31st!
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us!
Join Us for our Expectant & New Parent Gathering on Nov. 5th!
Join us in November for our next 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!
Stop By for 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.
There's Still Time to RSVP 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, line dancing 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!
Connect and Get Moving at our
Fall Family Fitness Tour on Oct. 1st!
Join us on Saturday, October 1st for our Family Fitness Tour, a special event to connect families all over the KC area with fitness, fun and healthy snacks!
Led by Scott Quaife, NSCA-CPT, our Health & Wellness Coordinator, families are encouraged to drop by at the closest stop on the tour. Bring a blanket, your sneakers, water and get ready to enjoy a healthy outing with other families! Fresh fruit, water & milk and protein balls will be provided at each event!
Times & Locations:
- 10:45 – 11:45 am: Central Park Shelter, 825 NE 70th Terrace, Gladstone, MO 64118
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm: Lowenstein Park, 1901 NW Lowenstein Dr, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 (Shelter #2)
- 2:00 – 3:00 pm: Gezer Park, 13251 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66209 (West Shelter)
- 3:30 – 4:30 pm: St. Margaret’s Park, 230 S 7th St, Kansas City, KS 66101
Gather Your "Dream Team" of Supporters for an Epic Step Up Walk!
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!
Helpful Podcasts for Caregivers!
Check out this online library of podcasts hosted by Dr. Kishore Vellody, Medical Director of the Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania and former President of the National Down Syndrome Congress.
These podcasts contain information for caregivers and providers regarding Down syndrome.
Visit Hope Story for Resources!
Hope Story is a trusted community partner that equips and mobilizes parents to bring resources to their local medical team.
Hope Story helps medical professionals deliver a Down Syndrome diagnosis with confidence, accuracy, and hope. Check it out here >> and consider becoming a Hope Advocate!
Book of the Month!
Different--A Great Thing To Be!
by Heather Avis
Periodically, we will share different books that we have heard are great resources for new families! This joyful rhyming book encourages children to value the “different” in all people, leading the way to a kinder world in which the differences in all of us are celebrated and embraced.
