Connecting Families
About the awards ~ Support for individuals who live with Down syndrome comes in many forms – kindness, advocacy, instruction, inclusion – and from many sources – family members, neighbors, teachers, business owners, medical professionals.
With the Many Hands Award, we take a moment to recognize those in Connecticut who have touched our lives most deeply through their actions. Click on the name to read from the nomination letters.
Julie Campbell, Business Owner, Westbrook, CT
In recognition of the invaluable opportunity she has created for individuals with disabilities to work in their community by establishing Julie’s Cup of Joe Coffee Shop.
Michele Collins, Business Owner, Rocky Hill, CT
In recognition of the example she and Fair Weather Acres Farm have set for other businesses through her kind and creative response to a family in need.
Lynn Damon, Photographer, Glastonbury, CT
In recognition of the way she has used her gift of photography to enhance and promote the potential of people who live with Down syndrome.
Margaret Earnest, Ph.D, Speech Pathologist, Columbia, CT
In recognition of her dedication to providing exceptional speech therapy to individuals who live with Down syndrome, including those in financial need.
Carolynn Kaufmann, Special Needs Coordinator, New Canaan YMCA
In recognition of her efforts to create an environment where people with Down syndrome are welcomed, as well as her many years of support for our World Down Syndrome Day Celebration at the New Canaan YMCA.
A. Melody Lehrman, DS ACT Volunteer and Board Member
In recognition of the many positive ways she has enhanced life in the Down syndrome community in Connecticut through her actions, resulting in a ripple effect of caring.
Dr. Minas Lialios, Pediatric Physician, Norwalk CT
In recognition of the enduring impact he has had on families in our community and the example he has set for others through kind and caring medical support of individuals who live with Down syndrome.
Aaron Seitz, Digital Marketing Professional, CT
In recognition of his contribution to our community through development of an internet networking framework that allows us to connect and share with one another freely.