Georgia's Smile: in song and pictures

Phil Davidson is a highly talented, professional singer/songwriter, born in Ireland, raised in Australia where he lives with his family, including 12 year old Georgia who has Down syndrome.

You might have heard his song, Georgia's Smile, from a download on Phil's website, or on ours. Now Phil has posted a photo montage backed by the song on You-Tube. Click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwhPJS-nk48

Georgia's Smile is one of the tracks from his recently released album, Edge of it All, available from iTunes, or from music stores nationally, including ABC shops.

Christian Pueschel Memorial Awards

Christian Pueschel was the much loved son of a well known family in the Down syndrome community. Two awards in his memory have recently been bestowed for 2009, in the USA, at the 37th Annual national Down Syndrome Congress Convention in Sacramento, California.

Christian Pueschel Memorial Research Award
On August 1, 2009, The Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (DSRTF) was awarded the prestigious 2009 Christian Pueschel Memorial Research Award from the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC). The award was presented to DSRTF’s CEO, Dr. Michael Harpold, by Dr. Sigfried Pueschel at an awards banquet during the NDSC Convention in Sacramento.

We are honoring DSRTF for supporting research which contributes to a greater knowledge and understanding of Down syndrome,” said Brooks Robinson, national president of NDSC. “We salute them for their focus on funding essential research that will improve cognition and their commitment to seeing the results of this research translated into effective treatments.”

DSRTF is deeply honored and grateful to have been selected and recognized by NDSC to receive this prestigious award,” said Dr. Harpold. “It is especially meaningful for DSRTF, as a national organization only recently founded in 2004 with an exclusive mission and focus on Down syndrome biomedical research, to receive this significant recognition from our friends at NDSC. NDSC is one of the longest standing nonprofit organizations serving the Down syndrome community with a complementary focus on establishing a world with equal rights and opportunities for people with Down syndrome. Historically, Down syndrome biomedical research and the development of effective new therapeutics, particularly related to cognition, has remained a disproportionately under-addressed and severely under-funded key approach in creating meaningful new opportunities for children and adults with Down syndrome. We are extremely proud that this year’s Christian Pueschel Memorial Research Award recognizes the rapid and unprecedented progress that has been, and continues to be, accomplished through DSRTF-supported research and the unique and essential role DSRTF is serving in creating new opportunities for all people with Down syndrome.”

The Christian Pueschel Memorial Research Award is given in honor of the late Christian Pueschel, son of Sig Pueschel, M.D., Ph.D., J.D. Dr. Pueschel, who lives in Rhode Island, has devoted his career to improving the lives of people with Down syndrome. This award recognizes that the value of people with Down syndrome is intrinsically rooted in their humanity and uniqueness as human beings.

Two DSRTF-supported researchers have previously received NDSC research awards. Dr. William Mobley, currently Chair and Professor, Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, received the Christian Pueschel Memorial Research Award in 2007, and Dr. Roger Reeves, Professor, Department of Physiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, received the Theodore D. Tjossem Memorial Research Award in 2008.

Dr. Harpold additionally provided a comprehensive update to the NDSC Convention attendees concerning DSRTF and the DSRTF-supported research advances in a presentation entitled, “Down Syndrome Cognition Research: ‘Unprecedented’ Progress and promising New Therapeutic Strategies and Opportunities”. Also, during this year’s convention, Dr. Mobley further detailed the results of the DSRTF-supported research in his laboratory in a presentation entitled, “Exploring the Neurobiology of Down Syndrome: From Science to Medicine”.

The Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation was founded in 2004 as a national organization and is dedicated to its mission: To stimulate biomedical research that will accelerate development of treatments to significantly improve cognition, including memory, learning and speech, for children and adults with Down syndrome. The goal is to create new opportunities for all individuals with Down syndrome to:Participate more successfully in school;Lead more active and independent lives; and Prevent early cognitive decline with aging."

Source: Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation

Christian Pueschel Memorial Citizen Award
Katy Wilson, a Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) athlete, board member and spokeswoman, received the 2009 Christian Pueschel Memorial Citizen Award from the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) at its annual convention in Sacramento, Ca.

The award recognizes an individual with Down Syndrome whose achievements, service, and contributions have enhanced the value and dignity of people with Down Syndrome and their families.

"Katy Wilson's work on behalf of her peers has been exceptional. She has made an impact, whether as a Special Olympics Global Messenger, a valued employee at Ryan's, as a regular speaker to aspiring teachers at Agnes Scott College, or in countless other ways," said National Down Syndrome Congress President F. Brooks Robinson.

Wilson, of Gainesville, Ga., is a Special Olympics gold medalist in gymnastics. In addition to being a mentor, Wilson is also the athlete representative on SOGA's board of directors where she is a policy maker and gives feedback to the board on decisions that affect the 22,769 children and adult athletes in Georgia. She also reviews the organization's quarterly budgets.

As a SOGA spokeswoman, Wilson is a poised individual who serves as a role model, said SOGA CEO Georgia Milton-Sheats. "As a successful and positive person, she is articulate in telling her story, and she has touched many lives," said Milton-Sheats.

Wilson recently helped train five athletes - including two with Down Syndrome - in public speaking, so they can also travel with other SOGA representatives to recruit volunteers and donations around the state. Last March, she traveled to Washington, D.C. with SOGA staff for Capitol Hill Day for Special Olympics Inc., where she talked with elected officials about how Special Olympics improves the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

Wilson was nominated by her sister, Melinda Wilson Klinect, a teacher at Brookwood High School in Snellville. "My sister Katy is a well-rounded young person who is busy and happy and loving her life. Katy believes that anything is possible," she said.

SOURCE Special Olympics Georgia

Buddy Walk – Sydney 2010: this Sunday, 24th October - latest updates and program

Meet up / registration

We are meeting again at First Fleet Park, West Circular Quay.

We are expecting record numbers this year, so we recommend getting there in plenty of time to register (eg between 9 - 9:30am) before the event (it’s free and only takes a minute), or registering online beforehand (again free), so that we can all be ready for a leisurely 10am start!

This year’s Buddy Walk will be officially launched at 10am by Minister for Disability and Volunteering, Peter Primrose, Down Syndrome NSW President Ken Hancock and a representative of our UP!Club.

We will be walking from Circular Quay, through the Rocks and over the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Bradfield Park. Volunteer marshals will help guide our way. The Walk is about 2.5km, there is no hurry and everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace.
Concert and picnic
Whether or not you can make the Walk this year, everyone is welcome to come along and join in the celebrations at our free 30th Anniversary Concert (program below) and picnic at Bradfield Park (under the Bridge Pylons at Milsons Point – near Luna Park)

There will also be plenty for the younger kids with face-painting, tattooing, a clown and an enclosed children’s playground next to the concert area.

Concert and Entertainment Program – Bradfield Park

MAIN STAGE
10:30am
Guest DJ James Vantol warms up the crowd with some dance and music tracks. James is a member of the UP!Club and has set up Sydney City Discotheque

11:40am
Acclaimed singer songwriter Phil Davidson, dad of Georgia who has Down syndrome, performs ‘Georgia’s Smile’ and other favourites

12:20pm
DanceAbility - Inspired by the Merrymakers, this inclusive dance group features children with a wide range of abilities, including children with Down syndrome.

12:35pm
Leonie Brown’s Dancers

1:00pm
“Raise Your Voice” An all singing group featuring young people with Down syndrome

1:30pm
Steve Passfield and Handpicked- Golden Guitar winner Steve Passfield (who also happens to be a dad of a young man with Down syndrome) will get everyone’s toes tapping and feet stomping in a high energy musical finale the whole family can enjoy.

2:15pm
Raffle Draw

TENTS AND ROVING ENTERTAINMENT
10am – 2pm
Face-painting, tattooing and roving clown
BBQ and Picnic

10:30am – 2pm
· Sausage sizzle (donation)
· Fresh orange juice and homemade lemonade ($3 and $5)
· Fruit stall (50c and $1.50)
· Soft drinks & coffee

BYO picnics welcome (you can use our new ‘picnic porter’ service to transport your picnic from Circular Quay to Bradfield Park)

History - Celebrating 30 years (1980 – 2010)
This year we are celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Down Syndrome NSW, the achievements of people with Down syndrome and their families, and the great steps forward made in the last 30 years, under the banner “we’ve come a long way, baby!”

Down Syndrome Association of NSW was formed in 1980 by parents of babies and young children with Down syndrome, who were demanding the right to raise their child at home (as opposed to ‘institutionalised care’ which had been the norm until the mid 1970s), and found a lack of support, knowledge and resources to do so.

The parents got together without any government funding but with a drive to provide the best opportunities for their children, and formed the Down Syndrome Association of NSW.

Because of the work of the association and other groups, breakthrough ‘early intervention’ work and the determination of their parents, these babies and children, who are now entering their 20’s and early 30’s, have expectations and opportunities higher than any previous generation. At Buddy Walk Sydney – 2010 we’ve come a long way in just 30 years…

‘The best part of Buddy Walk? The time we got to share with our family, friends and people we had never met before. It was nice to know we all have something so wonderful in common, it gave us confidence that our children, even though they may be a little “different” can be accepted for who they are amongst such a widespread and loving community.’ Parent.

I do hope you can join us and help us make Buddy Walk – Sydney 2010 another memorable and very special event.

Kind regards,

Steve Clarke
Chief Executive Officer
Down Syndrome NSW

A second CDS-supported event: 26th September

Living the Dream: Realising Personal Aspirations
L’Arche Australia seminar supported by Centre for Disability Studies, University of Sydney

Monday 26 September 2011
10.00 am – 12.30 pm

Contemporary disability policy gives prominence to person centredness as a mean of people with intellectual disabilities realising their full potential. In Australia, L’Arche has developed a robust personal planning process to support members with an intellectual disability to realise their aspirations. This process is underpinned by L’Arche’s foundational commitment to supporting people with and without disabilities to form and maintain mutually transforming relationships and is called ‘Remembering, Celebrating & Dreaming’.

This workshop will detail this innovative approach to person centred practices. It offers a creative, practical and celebratory response to each person as they develop a plan, which reflects who they truly are. The workshop will first place the ‘Remembering, Celebrating & Dreaming’ process in context by detailing L’Arche as an International service provider. The RCD process is designed as a longitudinal progression that incorporates both casework and case management models of service. It values individuals’ personal histories, celebrates who the person is and their talents while honouring their aspiration to lead a fulfilled life. It will also explain the fundamental principles of L’Arche. One of the people who has participated in ‘Remembering, Celebrating & Dreaming’ process will discuss their personal aspirations.

Presenters:
George Durner is an American and a graduate of the University of Loyola in New Orleans, Louisiana. Today, he lives with his wife, Danielle, in an L’Arche community in France and is coordinator of training for the International Federation of L’Arche communities, founded by Jean Vanier. From 1986 to 1989, George worked for the Georgia Advocacy Office in Atlanta, Georgia, and was responsible for the Citizen Advocacy program offices throughout the state.

David Treanor has just submitted his PhD thesis for examination. His thesis explores the phenomenon of friendship and how relationships between people with and without intellectual disabilities are overlooked in the research arena. David argues that meaningful friendships can and do exist between people with and without intellectual disabilities provided that both people are willing to take a transformative journey together. David is the National Co-ordinator for L’Arche in Australia.

Fee
Non-member of CDS: $22 (includes GST)
Financial member of CDS: $16.50 (includes GST)
People with disabilities and family members: No charge
(Registration includes morning tea)

Venue
Charles Blunt Conference Room, Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney,
227 Morrison Road, Ryde

Bookings and further information
Phone: 8878 0500  Email: margaret.carrick@sydney.edu.au  Fax: 9807 7053

Amended url for Georgia's Smile

Georgia's Smile montage and song has a new url on You Tube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwhPJS-nk48

(Click here for the original post).

Weekend reading and viewing: 23 - 24 July 2016

A follow up interview:
Georgia captures hearts with live TV video bomb

The West Australian, 21 July 2016
Meet the girl who captured the hearts of millions of people across the world when she video bombed a Channel 7 news report ...

What The LGBTQ Community Taught Me About Parenting My Son With Down Syndrome

Anne Pennistin Grunsted, Role Reboot, 15 July 2016
For as much as we strive to eliminate bias against our children, we parents also need to prepare our kids for the reality of a world that will not always be kind ...

In Down syndrome’s shadow, she is perfect in her own way

Beverly Beckham, Boston Globe, 15 July 2016

For a long time, after my granddaughter Lucy, who has Down syndrome, was born, I looked at healthy, typical babies with envy ... Thirteen years later, I wish I could go back in time and tell that frightened me that ... Lucy would be loved, and not out of pity ...

Frustrated, fed up family leaves Canada after son with Down syndrome complicates immigration

Gilbert Ngabo, Metro News (Canada), 15 July 2016
... “They had promised news for me by the end of June but now are saying I will have to wait until fall,” Felipe Montoya told Metro in an email from Coast Rica.

Montoya moved his family to Canada when he accepted a job as an environmental studies professor at York University. But, when they applied for permanent residency in 2013, the Montoyas were told their son could be an undue burden to the country’s health system ...

The moving story of Judith and Joyce Scott will make you believe in twin magic

Heather Libby, Upworthy, 19 July 2016

Twin sisters Judith and Joyce Scott's life story sounds straight out of a movie.

It's a story with everything you'd imagine in an Oscar-winning movie: an idyllic childhood, heart-shattering loss, an emotional reunion followed by triumph, and resounding artistic acclaim. Above all, it's two sisters who loved each other beyond adversity and through everything. And it's 100% true ...

This is how it feels when you say “I don't see your disability”

Carly Findlay, 19 July 2016

... I don’t want you to use euphemisms when referring to disability. Say the word.

I don’t want you to stare, point, ridicule and ask questions before you've said hello, but I don’t mind if you talk about my disability politely after you've gotten to know me.

I want you to see my disability as a part of me.

Because, when you say "I don’t see your disability", you invalidate who I am.

Using PBS in Australian disability services
Brent Hayward, NSW CID blog (guest post) July 2016

PBS stands for positive behaviour support. PBS is a way of supporting people with intellectual disabilities to have a better life and help them to stop using behaviours which hurt other people or themselves. It might sound like PBS is the right way to go, and that’s true! We’ve known about PBS for about 30 years and we know that it works because there is lots of research about it . But what we don’t know very well is how to use PBS in Australian disability services ...

Weekend reading and viewing: 24th - 25th October 2015

Faces in the crowd and Down syndrome awareness

Mark Leach, Down Syndrome Prenatal Testing, 14th October 2015
This past weekend, my wife and I enjoyed a trip to New York City. Here’s what we saw, and what we didn’t see ...

How My Son Chooses to Teach Down Syndrome Awareness

Mardra Sikora, Huffington Post, 17th October 2015 

Earlier this week my son and I presented the animated short of the children's storybook, Black Day: The Monster Rock Band. We had a few stops scheduled; one was to the third grade classes at an elementary school near Austin. The teacher who arranged our visit told me, "I read the book to my class last week. They loved it! I told them that the author has Down syndrome and they asked, 'What is Down syndrome?'"

This has been my dilemma as Marcus and I have met each new group. Should we talk about Down syndrome? And to what extent? It is, after all, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and Marcus does happen to have Down syndrome ...

In the case of the first graders we visited in Georgia, they were pretty focused on the monsters in the band, the angry mob, and loving the music.

When I advocate for Thorin, I see Monty too
Kari Wagner-Peck, Bloom, 16th October 2015
... Early on, professionals and lay people repeatedly assured us that all children with Down syndrome are happy. In time I came to realize that these people meant more than “happy.” They meant “simple.” They believed people with Down syndrome couldn’t understand the complexities and ambiguities of life, so, as a result, they were happy.

I knew this was not a universal truth about people with Down syndrome. No one is happy all the time. I had known someone with Down syndrome, and he was definitely not happy. He was also quite painfully aware of the complexities of life ...

When a Man Uttered 2 Magic Words About My Son With Down Syndrome

Maxine Sinda Napal, The Mighty, 22nd October 2015

... For days, the sense of being overwhelmed quietly threatened like black boiling clouds that precede a hurricane. It’s the big fear. The great unknown. The old what if.

But not today. No what if. Just what is. One older man on a bike grinning at a toddler toddling ...

Sometimes people need a little help finding romance and people with disabilities are no exception

Lesley Robinson, 7.30 Report (ABC TV), 22nd September 2015 (video 7m 23s)

Sometimes people need a little bit of help to find romance - and people with disabilities are no exception. That's where the Dateables Ball comes in. It's a singles dance, relying on some old-fashioned matchmaking to help people with disabilities looking for love ...

Step Up! for Down Syndrome - Huskisson, 2015

Step Up! for Down Syndrome - Huskisson, 2015

Step Up! for Down Syndrome - Huskisson, 2015

On employment ...

Disabled employment targets set for NSW justice ministry

Kirsty Needham, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 April 2016

... The justice department will become the first NSW government agency to introduce employment targets for disabled workers, in a government-wide push to reverse a fall in employment rates. A plummet in the number of disabled people working for the NSW government had sparked calls last year for targets modelled on gender targets ...

Gaza's first teacher with Down's Syndrome thrives in the classroom
Albawaba, 11 April 2016

Hiba Al Sharfa has become the Gaza Strip’s first teacher with Down’s Syndrome, after a lifelong effort to achieve the dream.

Al Sharfa teaches at Right to Live, an NGO based in the Gaza Strip that supports and cares for children with Down’s Syndrome ...

VATTA employment committee
Canadian Down Syndrome Society

• Using Our Voice
• Being Professional At Work
• From Passion to Paycheque
• What it means to be flexible at your job

Disability conference highlights costs of exclusion and opportunities for change
Georgia Cranko, The Guardian, 18 February 2016
Disabled people are mostly ignored by Australian businesses but Melbourne conference highlights five ways to create social change and employ more people ... The program was headlined by Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, disability advisor to the World Bank Group, while other sessions were led by prominent spokespeople, including Ron McCallum, Graeme Innes and Rosemary Kayess who all have lived experience of disability ...

Like every mother, I want my daughter to have opportunities

Becky Bisbee, Seattle Times, 22 March 2016
Expanding job opportunities for people with disabilities means creating taxpayers who will lessen the need for public assistance. Employers get capable workers who take pride in their work ...

More alike than different: campaign video

The National Down Syndrome Congress (based in Atlanta, Georgia) is running an awareness campaign focusing on how people with Down syndrome are more like everyone else than different.  This video is a powerful 4.51 mins:



Here is a ten minute documentary from the same campaign:

.

Comedy is King - latest news: Greg Anderson (Australia's Electric Cowboy) joins entertainment line-up

Comedy is King is a gala night in aid of Down Syndrome NSW - supporting children and adults with Down syndrome and their families

Wednesday 23rd September, 2009

Westin Hotel, No. 1 Martin Place, Sydney

featuring Brian Doyle and friends – some of Australia’s best comedy talent (Vince Sorrenti, Sean Kramer and more)

Plus the legendary Leo Sayer and Glenn Shorrock

Latest news on the entertainment line-up

* Just confirmed *

Greg Anderson, Australia's Electric Cowboy is returning from the United States for a rare Australian performance, live in the Ballroom at Comedy is King.

Football legends Craig Wing, John Raper, Ben Elias, Jarryd Hayne and more.

Guest speaker: Anthony Bell - Chief Executive Officer of Bell Partners, one of Sydney’s premium firms of Chartered Accountants, Auditors and Financial Advisors. Anthony is well-known for his TV appearances (The Morning Show) and for his high-flying and famous clientele. Anthony will speak about his experiences of employing a young man with Down syndrome, with the hope of inspiring others to do the same.

With a wicked sense of humour immense Irish charm, legendary Dublin-born comedian Brian Doyle delights his audiences.

MC: Richard ‘Dickie’ Wilkins, Entertainment reporter and host extraordinaire.

Special Guest and Screening: Gerard O’Dwyer, award-winning actor who has Down syndrome, will introduce the Tropfest-winning film in which he starred and won the prestigious best actor award. The film ‘Be My Brother’ also won best film.

Special Performance: Phil Davidson – Phil will perform live, songs from his beautiful and acclaimed album ‘Edge of it All’, including the very beautiful song ‘Georgia’s Smile’ – a tribute to his daughter who has Down syndrome.

Other live performances include: Vince Sorrenti, Leo Sayer, Glenn Shorrock

Please feel free to pass this information on to anyone you think will be interested in this very special once in a life time evening.

Click here to download an invitation and reservation slip
or you can book now on 1800 804 275
melanie@internationalevents.com.au
http://www.internationalevents.com.au/
or contact Priscilla at Down Syndrome NSW priscilla@dsansw.org.au ; phone 9841 4444

Click here to download a brochure about this important evening - you are welcome to email it to friends and supporters

Down Syndrome News, Spring 2014 issue online

Down Syndrome News is published by the (US) National Down Syndrome Congress
30 Mansell Court, Suite 108, Roswell, Georgia 30076
NDSC generously makes its newsletter archives freely available online, here.

The current issue is now available online:

Down Syndrome News, Vol 37, Spring 2014

Feature articles:

“To the moon”, Bret Bowerman
“You’ve probably seen them bagging groceries,” said the geneticist attempting to explain to my wife and me that our one-day old daughter, Ellie, had Down syndrome and what that meant for her future. Her age was measured only in hours and already, expectations for Ellie’s potential had been capped ...
In English, and in Spanish

Speech Intelligibility: Factors Affecting Understandable Speech (Part One), Libby Kumin
Children, adolescents and adults with Down syndrome have a lot to tell us. But, many times, we cannot understand what they are saying. Speech intelligibility is the term used to describe whether a person’s speech is understandable to a listener. Intelligibility sounds like an objective scientific term, but it is not. It is a subjective judgment made by a listener which can be affected by many factors ...

Book reviews

• Gross motor skills for children with Down syndrome (2nd edition), Patricia Winders, 2013 
• Raising Henry - a memoir of motherhood, disability and discovery, Rachel Adams, 2013
• Who's the slow learner? A chronicle of inclusion and exclusion, Sandra McElwee, 2014
• Wilderness blessing - how Down syndrome reconstructed our life and faith, Jeffrey Gallagher, 2013

"Be My Brother" selected for final 16 at Tropfest 2009

News from Accessible Arts NSW:

Be My Brother, a short film made by Genevieve Clay has been selected as one of 16 finalists from over 600 entries at this years Movie Extra Tropfest, Australia’s largest short film competition (22nd February, Sydney).

Be My Brother stars aspiring actor, Gerard O'Dwyer as Richard, a young man whose charm and charisma challenges the prejudices of a stranger waiting at a bus stop. When he impacts on the stranger’s world, he also impacts on the heart and mind of someone else close by.With Gerard O'Dwyer in the leading role, Tracie Sammut as camera assistant, Georgia Cranko as unit manager and Gordon Crane as gaffer, the filmmaking experience of Be My Brother presented an opportunity for creative people with disabilities to experience working on a film set in the capacity of either crew member or performer.

Genevieve met Gerard while filming a documentary for Down Syndrome NSW, as part of the Up, Up and Away Project, and was instantly inspired by his vivacious personality and photographic memory for dialogue. She decided to write a script for him to act as the lead, in order to create a platform to showcase his talent and ability as an actor.

Click here for the full story and screening details from Accessible Arts.

Today Show, Channel 7, Wednesday 23rd; Richard Glover, Radio 702, 4 PM Wednesday 23rd

Two media spots to tune into in the lead-up to our Comedy is King fundraiser:

Anthony Bell's regular spot on Channel 7's Morning Show this Wednesday (23rd September) will feature his experience employing a young man with Down syndrome over the last year and a half. The show starts at 9.00 am Anthony will be a guest speaker at Comedy is King on Wednesday evening.

Richard Glover will interview Phil Davidson around 4 PM on ABC Radio 702 on Wednesday 23rd September. Phil is performing his song, Georgia's Smile at our fundraising event, Comedy is King.

If you cannot get to the event, you can still contribute to our fundraising appeal: email Stephen Clarke, CEO of DS NSW at executiveofficer@dsansw.org.au

Website of the week: (US) National Down Syndrome Congress

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) is a US organisation, based in Atlanta, Georgia.  This weekend their annual 39th annual Convention is being held in San Antonio, Texas, and will attract up to delegates, most of them families with a member who has Down syndrome.  The extensive programs includes presentations by some of the best known names in the international Down syndrome community. So it is timely to highlight their website - and we'll be looking out for new additions from the Convention.

Like many websites about Down syndrome, there is a range of excellent information pages, many of them written by well known and respected US experts, as well as information about local events and campaigns.  At Down Syndrome NSW, we draw on NDSC information resources regularly, including the magazine, Down Syndrome News, which is now available online.

One of the outstanding features of the NDSC website is the Physicians Guide - a series of print and video resources for physicians in preparation for delivering the diagnosis of Down syndrome to families, based on the research and experience of Dr Brian Skotko, who presents some of the advice.

JB at Special Olympics Junior National Games

Special Olympics New South Wales Volunteer, Georgia Fitzgibbon with some NSW athletes during the Junior National Games in December 
From left: Tristan Grunsell, Josiah Bamber and Michal Wade.
 Picture: Peter Muhlbock / courtesy Special Olympics Australia.

Josiah's mother, Michelle Bamber has written about Josiah's involvement in various sports and fitness activities in the December 2012 issue of the journal, Voice (published by Down Syndrome NSW and Down Syndrome Victoria). Contact Down Syndrome NSW at admin@dsansw.org.au or phone 9841 4444 with subscription enquiries.

Library Thursday: Down Syndrome News, April 2012

Down Syndrome News is published by the National  Down Syndrome Congress (located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA).  The April 2012 (Vol 35 # 2) issue is now available online, and the print edition is available in the Down Syndrome NSW library.

Feature articles in this issue:

Living life with apps
Deep in conversation
Language skills for school success
Davids team


All are excellent articles, well written, easy to read, of interest to families ... but we think that the one page 'Deep in conversation', with its very apt photos, will be a particular reader favourite.