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Marathon Postponed, However Runners Not Slowing Down
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Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Boston Marathon has been postponed until Monday, September 14.
However, our incredible field of 7 runners who make up
our Boston Marathon 2020 Team haven't stopped training and will take on the historic 26.2 miles in the fall! Each of them is dedicated to running for a special individual in their lives and the entire Down syndrome community, raising critical funds and awareness.
Since 2012, the MDSC has been an official charity of the John Hancock™ Non-Profit Marathon Program, raising over $736,000. Since then, dozens of dedicated individuals have had the opportunity to fulfill their personal dream and run the marathon in honor of people with Down syndrome.
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Run Falmouth Road Race with Team MDSC
The MDSC needs your support now more than ever. Run with Team MDSC and support the critical programs and services we provide to the Down syndrome community. Running can provide a way to get out of the house, reduce stress, exercise and help raise money to support others!
The
MDSC has 25 runner bibs available for you for the Falmouth Road race on August 16.
As a Team MDSC FRR runner, money raised will fund
the MDSC CARES program, an expansion of our Parents First Call Program, a program that supports families when their children are hospitalized for extended periods or experiencing critical health challenges or other extenuating circumstances.
Our team is working hard to review the number of individuals and families needing extra support and determining the best resources, supports, comfort and love we can provide to each of them.
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Down Syndrome Autism Connection
The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection will convene its monthly chat on Monday, April 13.
The DSAC invites all families affected by Down syndrome and autism, including families who recently got an autism diagnosis, to join them. Monthly chats are held the 2nd Monday of every month from 8:30 - 10pm. To be added to the invitation list, please contact Jeanne Doherty at jdoherty@mdsc.org.
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Down Syndrome & Mental Health Supports
Our Down syndrome and Mental Health support group met by Zoom last week.
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Shopping Amazon? Support People with Down syndrome!
 So many of us are ordering supplies and necessities for our new home-based lifestyles.
When you do your Amazon.com shopping, why not support your loved ones with Down syndrome at the same time?
When you do so, a percentage of your purchases will support MDSC programs and services.
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MDSC is Here for You During These Changing Times
MDSC is working around the clock to ensure our families have the information and supports they need during these changing times. We're working on
many fronts, including
making plans to take
our 36th Annual Conference virtual
and
developing virtual programming so our members can connect with each other and the greater community.
Read on for more on all these efforts.
In addition, we are
continuing to advocate for policies that help our families:
- In the realm of health and finances, MDSC has been backing a series of national Coronavirus Relief Bills that seeks to include people with disabilities and address our community's particular health and economic vulnerabilities. You can take action on the latest here.
- We are closely following a discrimination complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) by our national disability partners, including NDSS and NDSC, highlighting the potential for widespread discrimination as health care professionals develop protocols for rationing life-saving treatment in response to possible COVID-19 resource scarcity. We will keep you apprised if and when it comes time to take public action.
We need each other more than ever before to ensure that our loved ones with Down syndrome have full access to healthcare, education, and other supports critical to their daily lives.
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KEEPING OUR MDSC COMMUNITY VIRTUALLY CONNECTED & ENGAGED
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36th Annual 'Trailblazers' Conference to be Held Virtually
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While our 36th Annual Conference did not happen as planned on March 28, MDSC is in the midst of planning a Virtual Annual Conference to launch in late spring.
Like our traditional in-person conference, the virtual version will include nearly two dozen sessions hosted by Down syndrome and disability experts and leaders from around the country who
will delve deep into the promising developments in Down syndrome research and the exciting potential it has for the future.
We are also working out how to virtually share some of the most meaningful portions of the conference, such as self advocate presentations and our 'Trailblazers' video collage, featuring your incredible photos of your loved ones. As you know, these are elements we always look forward to, and we hope to capture the true spirit of our community in our virtual event.
Stay tuned to our website, social media channels and your email inbox for more information as plans for our Virtual Annual Conference evolve.
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Family Support Programming
MDSC's Parents First Call Program, is a national model for serving and supporting parents of children with Down syndrome, including new & expectant parents. Parents First Call provides opportunities to connect with others who have had the same experience to listen, share, answer questions, and provide valuable information.
Our family support team is now actively supporting families virtually and has many online support groups now forming. Please contact Sarah at
familysupport@mdsc.org to learn more about any of the gatherings below and to let us know how we can help.
MDSC Support Group Leaders
Monday, March 30
MDSC collaborates with more than 20 local Support Groups around the state to share experiences and strategize on how to advance our mutual goal of strengthening supports for people with the Down syndrome across the state.
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Prenatal Support Group
Wednesday, April 1
Providing support and connecting expectant moms and couples during a particularly challenging time.
Zoom meeting by invitation - contact Sarah above for more information
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"New Moms" Group - for moms of 0-18 months old
Group 1:
April 6, May 11
Group 2: April 20, May 18, June 15
Call by invitation - contact Sarah above for more information.
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Parent/Caregiver & Baby/Child
April 7
Yoga with MDSC mom Stefani Buonapane
Zoom meeting - contact Sarah above for more information
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8-12 Year Old Play Group
April 6
Yoga with MDSC mom Stefani Buonapane
Zoom meeting - contact Sarah above for more information
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4-7 & 8-12 Year Old Play Groups
April 8, 12-1pm
Happy Feet Dance Class with MDSC Mom Jacqueline Blankenburg
Zoom meeting - contact Sarah above for more information
Medically Complex Needs Support Group
Wednesday, April 15, 1-2pm
Supporting MDSC families whose children are chronically medically complex, who have had multiple surgeries and/or multiple extended hospital stays. Additional individuals/families should email Firstcall@mdsc.org
to learn more about this group
Call by invitation - contact Sarah or Jeanne above for more information
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Teen & Adult Programming
Our MDSC team has been working on ways we can continue to connect teens, adults and their families through our Advocates in Motion and Self Advocate Advisory Council programs.
Newsletter for Teen & Adults
MDSC's weekly
Newsletter for Teens & Adults includes fun ideas and activities while you stay safe at home, including
favorite ways to stay active, entertainment ideas, and the parent corner.
Check out our first two newsletters (March 20th, March 27th), and send us your videos, photos and stories, so we can include them in an upcoming edition!
AIM Virtual Hangout
 Sunday, April 5
Our regularly scheduled AIM Hangout at the Newton YMCA will now be a virtual hangout! Rosemary and Collette of Collettey's Cookies will be sharing their journey of Collette's transition from school to adult life and lessons learned along the way.
SAAC Quarterly Social
Our Spring Fling scheduled for April 18th will no longer take place in person, but we will be bringing it to you online! Get your living rooms ready for an epic dance party! More details coming soon.
Crocker Internship Alumni Reunion
Wednesday, April 15, 7-8pm
Zoom meeting
Past alumni of MDSC's Allen Crocker Internship Program will connect and share what they've been up to since their internship. More about the Crocker internship
here.
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Education Programming
Webinar: Building Independence While Your Kids Are Home
On Saturday, MDSC, in partnership with the 3-21 Foundation, held a webinar for parents of school-aged children on
Using this Unusual Season to Build Skills of Independence.
The webinar covered how
to identify and plan for building skills of independence using the things you already have at home, including what you can do right now to build independence skills across domains. For more information, contact Kristen Tenglin at ktenglin@mdsc.org.
Education Resources & Tools
We have gathered a wealth of education resources and tools that are vetted and being constantly updated. This includes resources, curriculum materials, subscriptions, virtual tours, field trips, social stories, practical tips for caregivers and legal matters.
See the complete list here.
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With
Needs
Skyrocketing, MDSC CARES Steps Up to Provide Support
 Now, more than ever, MDSC is committed to our families and individuals most in need.
For the past 36 years, MDSC and our families have been paving the way to a brighter future for our loved ones with Down syndrome.
Today, in these uncertain times, we have received more requests than ever for support from our community, and we are stepping up to provide the critical assistance that can make a difference in as many lives as possible.
Please help by
contributing to our MDSC CARES Program
, an expansion of Parents First Call, which supports families when their children are hospitalized for extended periods or experiencing critical health challenges or other extenuating circumstances. C
onsider making a donation during these turbulent times to provide care packages for families and their children so they can feel the support and love from our community.
BY MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO MDSC CARES, YOU WILL HELP KEEP MDSC'S FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES STRONG.
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