MDSC Teen and Adult Newsletter

April 10, 2020 Hello MDSC teens and adults (and families and friends)! We hope you continue to stay well and safe. We have been glad to see some sunshine over the last week and know the rain is helping out the plants - many are starting to bloom! We loved hearing from so many of you this week! Thank you for sharing ways you have been staying active and photos of your adventures at home. If you would like to be included in an upcoming newsletter, please write us back and share videos, photos and notes of how you are staying in touch with friends, staying active, and more! Family members - at the bottom of the newsletter are some resources that might be of interest to you and your family. Until next week- Colleen, Kristen and Laura

Weekly Motivation! Turn your next walk into a scavenger hunt! Caitlyn K. found lots of hearts in nature on her latest walk- great idea! Send us your videos and photos , and we'll share them in an upcoming newsletter! It is a great way to stay connected and motivated!

Upcoming MDSC Events

SAAC Spring Fling now virtual dance party! Saturday, April 18 3-4pm Adults, ages 20 and up Register here Get dressed up in a fun, spring outfit and join us for a Zoom dance party with music by DJ Dan! To learn more about SAAC and receive invitations to our quarterly socials, for adults ages 20 and up, contact Kristen .

Staying Active & Well at Home

Here's a couple of our favorite ways to stay active this week:

Spring Flower Craft Special thanks to Colleen M. and her mom Patti for sending us this great spring flower craft! Supplies: Colored paper- 4” x 6” for flowers Colored paper for leaves and flower center Tissue paper Tape, Glue, Scissors, Ruler Stick or colored pencils for stems Steps: 1. Draw 2 lines to make a 3/4” stripe in the center of your colored paper. 2. Make cuts along both  long  edges. Stop cutting at the center lines.  3. Fold each cut strip to the center line. Repeat for the other side. 4. Tape the center of the 4” sides to form a circle. 5. Stuff the tissue paper into the center of the flower. 6. Glue a small circle or pom pom to the center of the flower. 7. Push the stick or pencil point into the flower to make the stem. 8. Glue leaves on the stem. 9. Plant the other end of the stem in a pot with dirt or in a vase. 10. Enjoy your spring flowers!

Be a historian! We are living through history right now! Create a time capsule to record what life is like so your future self can look back and remember. My 2020 COVID-19 Time Capsule - created by Natalie Long

What ways are YOU staying active and healthy? Share your ideas, and we will include them in our next newsletter!

Caitlyn cooks dinner for her family.

Entertainment

Disney Magic Moments The latest Disney newsletter has a story time with John Stamos (aka Uncle Jesse!), coloring pages from Onward, and a new Olaf show!

Kate enjoys a Cinderella puzzle!

How are you staying entertained? Send it our way !  Here are some ways our AIM participants are spending their time:

Watching movies: Frozen 2, Onward, Harry Potter FaceTiming with family & friends Taking dance, yoga and karate classes through Zoom Cooking Playing Guess Who Doing chores- like laundry -to help at home Taking lots of walks!

MDSC Member Gives Back

Congratulations to Ava M. for making this week's edition of the Dorchester Reporter! Ava's kindness and contributions to her community are highlighted in the article. Way to go, Ava!

Parent Corner

The MDSC team is continually updating resources for families during the coronavirus pandemic and a document of educational tools and resources that we hope might help as your family navigates these uncertain times. If you've come across something that has helped you or your daughter/son with Down syndrome, please send it our way so we can share with our MDSC community.

Saturday, April 18, 10-11:30: The MDSC, in collaboration with The 3-21 Foundation, are pleased to offer a webinar, Supporting Your Complex Learner During Covid-19. Monday, April 20, 12-1pm: Inclusion is NOT Cancelled: Coping Strategies for Family Members and Self-Advocates During a Time of Isolation and Uncertainty, presented by Lisa Drennan, Founder of MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting In a time of great uncertainty, one thing is certain - no matter your situation, we can all use help in what has become our temporary normal. Inclusion strategies are good for anyone during this time; be it you, a family member, friend, neighbor, or coworker who has Down syndrome, another disability, or not. Join us to explore the Top Ten Inclusion Tips to support each other as we engage in social interaction while practicing physical distancing. Both of the above webinars are offered f ree to MDSC members! Please email ktenglin@mdsc.org for discount code.

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