Register for the Buddy Walk

This year’s Buddy Walk is Saturday, September 26th at Hammonasset Beach State Park, and registration is open! Come help us kick off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Connecticut by celebrating the people we love, all they can do, and all the people who support us.

We are very excited to be introducing a new online registration and fundraising system this year – YOU’RE GONNA LOVE IT! With assistance from the Wells Foundation, it will mean less hassle and more fun for everyone involved. Check it out on March 21st at www.ctdownsyndrome.org/buddy-walk.

What do you plan to do? From celebrating in community, and acts of kindness to learning and advocating for a brighter future, we’ve got lots of ideas!

Join the CDSC and 21 Strong at the World Down Syndrome Celebration at the New Canaan YMCA.

A yearly community favorite, this event is sure to bring smiles to faces of all ages while raising awareness. Loads of family-friendly activities, music, snacks and more from 2-4 p.m. at the New Canaan YMCA, 564 South Avenue.

For information or to pre-register, contact Susan Schuller at smschuller@hotmail.com.

Share 21 Acts of Kindness in Honor of Your Loved One with Down Syndrome!

Six national Down syndrome organizations in the United States (National Down Syndrome Congress, Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, International Down Syndrome Coalition, International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association, Lumind Foundation, National Down Syndrome Society) have created a toolkit for WDSD 2015 that you can use to share information about Down syndrome with your community, celebrate people with Down syndrome, and spread a little love and kindness in the name of Down syndrome!

It’s easy as 1-2-3-4!
1. On March 21st, wear a t-shirt that says something about Down syndrome (your CDSC Buddy Walk t-shirt is a great option!)
2. Choose an act of kindness, like taking cookies to a fire station, or checking in on an elderly neighbor (the toolkit contains a list of suggestions to help get you started!)
3. Print a WDSD postcard (included in the toolkit) and give it out or place it with your Random Act.
4. Take pictures of the random act and post on your social media pages with the hashtag #WDSD15. We’ll have people on the receiving end of our kindness, and the whole world watching on Facebook and Twitter.
Here’s the link to the toolkit.

Take a Trip to the United Nations — in Person or Virtually

This year marks the 10th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day and the 21st anniversary year of the ‘International Year of the Family.”

The WDSD conference at the United Nations will focus on the role of families and the positive contribution that they can make toward the enjoyment of full and equal rights for people with Down syndrome.

You can register to attend the conference in person, or you can watch it [online].(https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/wdsd-conference.)

Have a Little Fun and Show off Your Craziest Socks

Wear the wackiest socks you can find — brightly colored socks, long socks, printed socks, 1 sock…maybe even 3 socks for 3 chromosomes. If you don’t normally wear socks then wear them!
The choice is yours, but wear something people will ask you about so that you can tell them all about WDSD.

Learn a Little

eConference registration gives live access to 63 sessions over 3 days. It also includes access to recordings of the sessions for 60 days. Once you register, you can select the sessions you wish to attend. Sessions begin March 21. Click here for details and registration.

Volunteer!

The CDSC is volunteer-driven, and we need your help. We are seeking volunteers for the following committees:

The Buddy Walk Committee – . If you love counting hotdogs, stuffing goody bags, and setting up and breaking down tents, the Buddy Walk Committee is the place for you!

The Buddy Walk, our biggest event and our largest fundraiser, kicks off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Connecticut. It’s a great time for all, but we need volunteers behind the scenes and on the ground the day of the event to make it happen. We’re looking for people who can help a little, and people who can help a lot.

The Convention Committee – Our Annual Convention is our most important educational event. This year will be our 30th convention and we want it to be the best one yet!

County Family Support Leaders – Some of our county leaders are stepping down. We have openings in Middlesex County, New London County, and, possible Windham-Tolland County. The basics of the job vary, depending on what the needs of your county are. If families need playgroups, you might help them connect and find a place to meet. If Moms need a night out, you might help with the arrangements for that. If folks in your neck of the woods are go-getters, maybe you could help arrange a CDSC fundraiser! Make it as little or as much as you have time for. Co-leaders are encouraged, so bring or make a friend!

For information on volunteering contact Shanon at smccormick@ctdownsyndrome.org

Tell Your Legislator to Restore Funding to DDS!

The Governor’s Budget Proposal would eliminate employment support and day program funding for students graduating from high school, beginning this June.

The Appropriations Health and Hospitals subcommittee is amending the Department of Developmental Services budget, after hearing public testimony last week. Contact your legislators and tell them what a waste of years of education and resources this will be for young people with special needs and how devastating it will be for their families! Ask them to use their influence to convince members of the subcommittee that they need to restore funding for these services. Find your legislator here.