JOIN DSPNT TO CELEBRATE WORLD DOWN SYNDROME...
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1 JOIN DSPNT TO CELEBRATE WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY! “DSPNT’ s purpose is to support people with Down syndrome, their families, and communities, in reaching their full potential ” In This Issue World Down Syndrome Day Celebration DSPNT Welcomes New Program Specialist iCan Bike Camp 2017 Down Syndrome Affiliates In Action Leadership Conference Our Special Heroes Golf Classic Member Spotlight: Madison Leyva New Parent Brunch Isabel Pazos Conference Connor’s Car Show Calendar The Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas (DSPNT) will host a rally on March 21, 2017 at Sundance Square Plaza from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Sundance Square will be lit in blue and yellow lights, which are the awareness colors for Down syndrome. There will be music, glow sticks and a lot of family fun! This event is open to the community and free of charge. Invite your family and friends to join us as we celebrate and raise awareness for those we love with Down syndrome! DSPNT also recently found out the Pier One building will be joining us as we #LightUpFTW4DS! We will also be making a very special announcement that you won’t want to miss! If you have any questions, please contact our office at 817-390-2970. Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas March 2017
Transcript of JOIN DSPNT TO CELEBRATE WORLD DOWN SYNDROME...
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JOIN DSPNT TO CELEBRATE
WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY!
“DSPNT’s purpose
is to support people
with Down
syndrome, their
families, and
communities, in
reaching their full
potential ”
In This Issue
World Down Syndrome Day
Celebration
DSPNT Welcomes New
Program Specialist
iCan Bike Camp 2017
Down Syndrome Affiliates In
Action Leadership Conference
Our Special Heroes Golf
Classic
Member Spotlight: Madison
Leyva
New Parent Brunch
Isabel Pazos Conference
Connor’s Car Show
Calendar
The Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas (DSPNT) will host a rally on March 21, 2017 at Sundance Square Plaza from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.
Sundance Square will be lit in blue and yellow lights, which are the awareness colors for Down syndrome. There will be music, glow sticks and a lot of family fun! This event is open to the community and free of charge.
Invite your family and friends to join us as we celebrate and raise awareness for those we love with Down syndrome! DSPNT also recently found out the Pier One building will be joining us as we #LightUpFTW4DS! We will also be making a very special announcement that you won’t want to miss!
If you have any questions, please contact our office at 817-390-2970.
Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas March 2017
iCan Bike Camp 2017
DSPNT will be hosting our annual iCan Bike Camp June 19th — June 23rd at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Minimum requirements to participate are as follows:
A minimum of 8 years old
Able to walk with an assistive device
Willing and able to wear a helmet
Able to sidestep in both directions’
Maximum weight of 220 lbs.
A minimum inseam of 20”
There are five sessions with seven spots available during each session.
Cost to participate is $150.00. You can download an application on our Website, or request one be mailed to you.
As I begin my adventure as the Program Specialist at the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas, I would like to share a little about myself. I am fortunate to have had two uncles with two very different disabilities; Mikey, who has Cerebral palsy and Jeff, who had Down syndrome. Jeff lived to be 49 and had a very fulfilling life. These two men inspired me to follow my passion for working with people disabilities.
I attended Oklahoma State University. Go Cowboys! I received a bachelor’s degree from the School of Education in Leisure Service Management with an option of
Therapeutic Recreation. After graduation, I qualified to be a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and moved to Austin, Texas. In Austin, I worked at McBeth Recreation Center as an Adaptive Recreation Program Specialist. I programmed summer camps, after school programs and coached Special Olympics. Coaching swimming was my favorite. After my time in Austin, I accepted the position as Assistant Camp Director at Camp Summit, an adaptive residential camp, where I had worked during the summers in college.
My favorite color is purple, and it is the best color! When I am not working, I enjoy hanging outside with my dog, Sunshine, laying in my hammock, and riding my motorcycle around town. Throughout the years my career has allowed me to provide programs for a wide variety of people in various settings. I am so excited about being a part the DSPNT team. I look forward to working with the wonderful families who are part of the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas.
DSPNT WELCOMES NEW
PROGRAM SPECIALIST:
CARRIE BOGGESS
DSPNT is a member of Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action
(DSAIA). DSAIA’s purpose is to provide collaboration, resource
sharing, and networking among Down syndrome organizations.
The DSAIA Leadership Conference was held February 22-26 in Cincinnati, OH. DSPNT
board members in attendance included Adrienne Sullivan, Michelle Crim, and Lilliana Rueda
Dominguez; DSPNT staff Elizabeth Hammond, Managing Director and Carrie Boggess,
Program Specialist also attended.
The DSAIA leadership conference offered sessions on a wide array of topics that included
New Parent Outreach, Medical Outreach, Teen and Adult Year Programming and Support,
Employment Initiatives, Methods for Improving Social Media Presence, Fundraising,
Volunteer Management, Leadership, and many more.
A few of my favorite sessions and experiences at the conference included:
How to Supercharge and Streamline Your Online Presence – Jay Wilkinson, Founder/
CEO of Firespring
The Aging Person With Down Syndrome: The Next Phase of Support – Christy Gregg,
Adult Matters Coordinator, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome – Dennis McGuire, Ph.D and
Michelle Whitten, President and CEO – Global Down Syndrome Foundation
Networking with other Down syndrome affiliates
Bonding with the DSPNT attendees and brainstorming how to better our organization.
It makes me excited about the future and has provided insight and ideas into how we can
improve our outreach and support to DSPNT families. It was truly inspiring to be included
with such a talented and motivated group of people that came together to collaborate in
order to continue our efforts to make the world a better place for individuals with Down
syndrome.
Adrienne Sullivan, DSPNT Board of Directors - Secretary
DSAIA 2017 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
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The 16th annual Our Special Heroes Golf Classic is set for June 5, 2017 at Texas Star Golf
Course. Each year DSPNT hosts the OSH Golf Classic to raise funds for iCan Bike Camp. iCan
Bike Camp teaches individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to ride a
standard two wheel bicycle in just one week. The program has resulted in a success rate of
over 80% the last five years.
How can you get involved?
By sponsoring, playing, or volunteering, you can become a HERO and push start a child with
Down syndrome to achieve such an incredible goal. You can download our sponsorship and
player registration, and donation forms by CLICKING HERE!
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Madison Leyva is a DSPNT member who is a 1st grader at Nancy Neal Elementary in Mansfield ISD and
she received the Neal Citizens Award on February 24, 2017. She was awarded this honor based on her outstanding citizenship. It was noted that she follows the rules, loves her classmates, she’s always ready to participate in class activities, and she makes the classroom shine with her beautiful smile! Way to go, Madison! We are proud of your accomplishments!! If you know of a DSPNT member that has achieved a milestone or noteworthy achievement, we want to
feature them in the member spotlight! Email [email protected] if you have a Member Spotlight
submittal for consideration.
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March 2017
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 DSPNT
Board Meeting
7:00 PM
10 Club 321
Birthday
Celebration
@GOS 6:30
PM
11 Isabel Pazos
Workshop @First
United Methodist
Church Arl. 9:00
AM
Dance @ Arts 5th
Ave. 11:00 &12:00
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19 20 21 WORLD
DOWN
SYNDROME DAY
CELEBRATION!
@Sundance Square
6:00 pm
22 23 24 25 New Parent
Brunch 10:00
am @ Bedford
Boys Ranch
Playground
Pavilion
26 27 28 DSPNT
Gymboree Playdate
@Gymboree
Southlake 6:00 PM
29 30 31 25 Cont.
Dance @Arts 5th
Ave. 11:00/12:00
Club 321 Movie
TBD
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To RSVP for Club 321: Contact Michelle
Pollard at [email protected]
To RSVP for Dance classes: Contact Carrie
Boggess at [email protected]
To RSVP for the New Parent Brunches: Send
an e-mail to [email protected]
To RSVP for the Isabel Pazos Workshop: Send
an e-mail to [email protected]
