Katie may have Down syndrome but it doesn’t define who she is…..
On Saturday, March 19, 2011 Katie Shaw gave a wonderful speech at the Down Syndrome Indiana Fashion Show presented by Midwest Fashion Week. Click here to listen to what she has to say about the runway of life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXsxikw6J3w
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Meet the Children's Show Models....
The Children’s Fashion Show is only 5 days away! Join Down Syndrome Indiana and Midwest Fashion Week as we celebrate the joy of being a child through a colorful presentation of contemporary children’s fashion. This fun-filled event for families and friends includes an
elegant Sunday brunch, inclusive fashion show, opportunity to create positive public awareness about Down syndrome and closing entertainment by Colts Mascot, Blue! Tickets are $25.00 per adult and $15.00 per child and are still available at: www.dsindiana.org. Now, let’s meet our models! ..
Name: Karinne Lee
Fun Facts about Karinne: Karinne Lee is 8 years old and is in 2nd grade at St. Matthew Catholic School. She loves to sing, dance, perform for others, and everything pink. She has performed in several dance recitals doing ballet, and currently is in stomp. Karinne also does cheerleading with Special Olympics and Girl Scouts. She has 2 sisters, Micah and Reagan.
Name: Michaela Deputy
Fun Facts about Michaela: Michaela lives in Indianapolis with her dad, mom, brother, two dogs, and a cat. She is 13 years old and is in the 7th grade at Christel House Academy, where she is stu-dent manager for the volleyball team. Michaela is a fighter, having survived open heart surgery at 10 months old and leukemia at 7 years old. She loves Barbies, American Girl dolls, princesses, playing Wii, swimming, and sledding. She attends The Creek and helps in the Scrapyard Sunday school class and is also active in the middle school life group. She is a busy volunteer with the Leu-kemia and Lymphoma Society and Riley Children’s Foundation. Michaela is anxiously awaiting a November mission trip to Nicaragua with her mom to serve in a special-needs school for a week.
Name: Mackenzie Wilt
Fun Facts about Mackenzie: Mackenzie Wilt is excited to be a part of the fashion show this year. She is ten years old and attends Mohawk Trails Ele-mentary School. She is in 4th grade and loves going to school. Mackenzie enjoys cheerleading and swimming and loves to play with her friends and siblings. Currently she is practicing for her 4th grade musical in which she will be singing a solo and acting as an IU cheerleader. At home she loves arts and crafts, Barbies, Polly Pockets, movies and playing video games. She is a huge help around the house and always has a clean room!
Name: Sydney Pequignot
Fun Facts about Sydney: Sydney lives in NE Indiana with her Mom Denise, Dad Chad, big brother Seth and dog, Maggie. She attends Little Turtle Elementary and is in the 2nd grade. She loves to read & swim. Her activities include Cheer, Lap club (a swim team for special needs) and attends Camp Red Cedar during the summer where she rides horses.
Name: Aurora Lynn Ellis
Fun Facts about Aurora: Aurora is a kindergartner at Mill Creek West Ele-mentary in Amo, Indiana. She enjoys playing with her two brothers, Wyatt 9 and Sawyer 3. She also spends time visit-ing with her friends. Aurora loves cheer-leading, and is a member of the Elite Cheer and Dance Special Needs Team. She performs at lo-cal competitions. Another one of Aurora's favorite pastimes is dancing! She is a great shopper and loves to get new clothes! She has partici-pated in the DSI Buddy Walk since she has been six weeks old.
Name: Mia Francesca Accinelli
Fun facts about Mia: She is a daddy's girl. She loves to watch to Spongebob and Word World. Her favorite phrases are, "No way!" and "Duh!" She figured out her mom's iPod Touch before her mom did and frequently says it's hers. We call her "Itty bitty" because she's so tiny. She loves going to school. She is a wonder-ful helper. She helps anyone, anywhere.
Name: Madison Collins
Fun Facts about Madison: Madison is in 6th grade at Childs Elemen-tary in Bloomington, IN and lives with her mom and dad and her older sister in high school. She has 2 older brothers living out of state . She enjoys the computer and playing many sports e,g, basketball, soccer, swimming, dance, bowling, riding her bike. She is very creative and enjoys designing, coloring and cutting decorations her room . Madi-son is very social, likes being around other people and has a good sense of humor . Her favorite color is purple. She thoroughly enjoys singing and dancing to Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers .
Name: Name: Taylor Collins
Fun Facts about Taylor : Taylor is a 7 year old Fabulous First-grader. Everyday is a holiday for this Little Princess. She enjoys dancing, sing-ing and the spotlight! Taylor brings joy and love into our lives daily as there is never a dull moment when the Diva is on deck!
Name: Hallie Creason
Fun Facts about Hallie: Hallie is 7 years old and in the first grade. She enjoys swimming, gymnastics, and attending church activities. Hallie loves books, playing with friends, and watching Han-nah Montana. She also enjoys visits with her grandmas and grandpas and loves her big brother Kyle.
Name: Joshua Graham
No bio available at this time.
Marissa Schneck:
No photo/bio available at this time.
Name: Evan Marcus Sondgerath
Fun Facts about Evan : Evan is currently ten years old. He has three sisters, Erin, Emily and Nicole (deceased 7/16/99). Evan enjoys participating on the Conductors Cheerleading Team at Cheer Ex-press. He is currently taking swimming lessons twice a week. Evan participated in Boy Scouts for two years and enjoyed playing soccer on a recrea-tional team for three seasons. He enjoys music, dancing and playing dress-up. Evan is loving and caring but also very comical.
Name: Ben Scofield
Name: Katie Rogers
No photo/bio available at this time.
elegant Sunday brunch, inclusive fashion show, opportunity to create positive public awareness about Down syndrome and closing entertainment by Colts Mascot, Blue! Tickets are $25.00 per adult and $15.00 per child and are still available at: www.dsindiana.org. Now, let’s meet our models! ..
Name: Karinne Lee
Fun Facts about Karinne: Karinne Lee is 8 years old and is in 2nd grade at St. Matthew Catholic School. She loves to sing, dance, perform for others, and everything pink. She has performed in several dance recitals doing ballet, and currently is in stomp. Karinne also does cheerleading with Special Olympics and Girl Scouts. She has 2 sisters, Micah and Reagan.
Name: Michaela Deputy
Fun Facts about Michaela: Michaela lives in Indianapolis with her dad, mom, brother, two dogs, and a cat. She is 13 years old and is in the 7th grade at Christel House Academy, where she is stu-dent manager for the volleyball team. Michaela is a fighter, having survived open heart surgery at 10 months old and leukemia at 7 years old. She loves Barbies, American Girl dolls, princesses, playing Wii, swimming, and sledding. She attends The Creek and helps in the Scrapyard Sunday school class and is also active in the middle school life group. She is a busy volunteer with the Leu-kemia and Lymphoma Society and Riley Children’s Foundation. Michaela is anxiously awaiting a November mission trip to Nicaragua with her mom to serve in a special-needs school for a week.
Name: Mackenzie Wilt
Fun Facts about Mackenzie: Mackenzie Wilt is excited to be a part of the fashion show this year. She is ten years old and attends Mohawk Trails Ele-mentary School. She is in 4th grade and loves going to school. Mackenzie enjoys cheerleading and swimming and loves to play with her friends and siblings. Currently she is practicing for her 4th grade musical in which she will be singing a solo and acting as an IU cheerleader. At home she loves arts and crafts, Barbies, Polly Pockets, movies and playing video games. She is a huge help around the house and always has a clean room!
Name: Sydney Pequignot
Fun Facts about Sydney: Sydney lives in NE Indiana with her Mom Denise, Dad Chad, big brother Seth and dog, Maggie. She attends Little Turtle Elementary and is in the 2nd grade. She loves to read & swim. Her activities include Cheer, Lap club (a swim team for special needs) and attends Camp Red Cedar during the summer where she rides horses.
Name: Aurora Lynn Ellis
Fun Facts about Aurora: Aurora is a kindergartner at Mill Creek West Ele-mentary in Amo, Indiana. She enjoys playing with her two brothers, Wyatt 9 and Sawyer 3. She also spends time visit-ing with her friends. Aurora loves cheer-leading, and is a member of the Elite Cheer and Dance Special Needs Team. She performs at lo-cal competitions. Another one of Aurora's favorite pastimes is dancing! She is a great shopper and loves to get new clothes! She has partici-pated in the DSI Buddy Walk since she has been six weeks old.
Name: Mia Francesca Accinelli
Fun facts about Mia: She is a daddy's girl. She loves to watch to Spongebob and Word World. Her favorite phrases are, "No way!" and "Duh!" She figured out her mom's iPod Touch before her mom did and frequently says it's hers. We call her "Itty bitty" because she's so tiny. She loves going to school. She is a wonder-ful helper. She helps anyone, anywhere.
Name: Madison Collins
Fun Facts about Madison: Madison is in 6th grade at Childs Elemen-tary in Bloomington, IN and lives with her mom and dad and her older sister in high school. She has 2 older brothers living out of state . She enjoys the computer and playing many sports e,g, basketball, soccer, swimming, dance, bowling, riding her bike. She is very creative and enjoys designing, coloring and cutting decorations her room . Madi-son is very social, likes being around other people and has a good sense of humor . Her favorite color is purple. She thoroughly enjoys singing and dancing to Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers .
Name: Name: Taylor Collins
Fun Facts about Taylor : Taylor is a 7 year old Fabulous First-grader. Everyday is a holiday for this Little Princess. She enjoys dancing, sing-ing and the spotlight! Taylor brings joy and love into our lives daily as there is never a dull moment when the Diva is on deck!
Name: Hallie Creason
Fun Facts about Hallie: Hallie is 7 years old and in the first grade. She enjoys swimming, gymnastics, and attending church activities. Hallie loves books, playing with friends, and watching Han-nah Montana. She also enjoys visits with her grandmas and grandpas and loves her big brother Kyle.
Name: Joshua Graham
No bio available at this time.
Marissa Schneck:
No photo/bio available at this time.
Name: Evan Marcus Sondgerath
Fun Facts about Evan : Evan is currently ten years old. He has three sisters, Erin, Emily and Nicole (deceased 7/16/99). Evan enjoys participating on the Conductors Cheerleading Team at Cheer Ex-press. He is currently taking swimming lessons twice a week. Evan participated in Boy Scouts for two years and enjoyed playing soccer on a recrea-tional team for three seasons. He enjoys music, dancing and playing dress-up. Evan is loving and caring but also very comical.
Name: Ben Scofield
Name: Katie Rogers
No photo/bio available at this time.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Action Alert
Please take action now!
The National Down Syndrome Society has issued an action alert regarding funding for postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities at this link:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=32315501&queueid=6554673811
This issue is near and dear to the mission of Down Syndrome Indiana! As many of you know, DSI has been a part of the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and the progress made to date is nothing short of amazing thanks to a grant from the US Department of Education but a funding cut in this area could slow progress dramatically! “This week the funding for that grant and all the other grants and initiatives face potential elimination from the federal budget. The Republican plan, the continuing resolution and the President’s Budget currently threaten to zero out these items. Our children have 3 times as much success gaining meaningful employment after completing one of these programs versus not attending. We have made too much progress to let this slip away….” Says Jeff Huffman, Chair of the Public Policy Committee in the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and parent of Nash, who happens to have Down syndrome.
Please contact your congressional representative and ask them to support funding to continue the Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education (TPSID) and the TPSID National Coordinating Center by the Office of Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education. These demonstration projects are developing models of effective ways to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities have access to postsecondary education and increased employment outcomes. These programs should be protected and supported in the FY 2011 and FY 2012 funding bills.If calling by phone, use the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your Members.
It’s okay if you don’t know who your member of congress is or can’t find their contact info: Just go here:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/home/
On the right side type in your zip code and look them up.
Again, for more information, please visit this link:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=32315501&queueid=6554673811
Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
The National Down Syndrome Society has issued an action alert regarding funding for postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities at this link:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=32315501&queueid=6554673811
This issue is near and dear to the mission of Down Syndrome Indiana! As many of you know, DSI has been a part of the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and the progress made to date is nothing short of amazing thanks to a grant from the US Department of Education but a funding cut in this area could slow progress dramatically! “This week the funding for that grant and all the other grants and initiatives face potential elimination from the federal budget. The Republican plan, the continuing resolution and the President’s Budget currently threaten to zero out these items. Our children have 3 times as much success gaining meaningful employment after completing one of these programs versus not attending. We have made too much progress to let this slip away….” Says Jeff Huffman, Chair of the Public Policy Committee in the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and parent of Nash, who happens to have Down syndrome.
Please contact your congressional representative and ask them to support funding to continue the Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education (TPSID) and the TPSID National Coordinating Center by the Office of Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education. These demonstration projects are developing models of effective ways to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities have access to postsecondary education and increased employment outcomes. These programs should be protected and supported in the FY 2011 and FY 2012 funding bills.If calling by phone, use the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your Members.
It’s okay if you don’t know who your member of congress is or can’t find their contact info: Just go here:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/home/
On the right side type in your zip code and look them up.
Again, for more information, please visit this link:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=32315501&queueid=6554673811
Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Arc Artisans
Let’s close out February, the month where DSI emphasized Self Advocacy with a brief article about the Arc Artisans. I visited their art workshop last month and as many of you know, I have several pieces of their artwork and am a huge fan of the work they do!
Arc Artisans is an entrepreneurial program where emerging artists at Arc Rehab Services and professional artists from the Central Indiana community come together to create artwork and develop skills in creative expression, craftsmanship and small business management. Artists are active in all areas of design, production and marketing. All proceeds from the sale of artwork go directly back into the program.
The Artisans have quite a few things on their plate right now. For one, they are hosting their first art show from March 3rd to March 25th at Sugar Creek Art Center. More information on this can be found on their Facebook page. In addition, they are beginning to make items from old sweaters. If you would like to donate gently used sweaters to their program, you can send them to Arc Services, c/o Arc Artisans, 900 West Main Street, Lebanon, IN 46052.
Arc Artisans is happy to take special orders for custom pieces and commissioned artwork. You can visit their website at www.arcartisans.org or you can call 765-482-6815 ext. 103.
You will be able to find artwork by the artisans in the silent auction during the Down Syndrome Indiana Fashion Show Gala on Saturday March 19th, 2011, as well as, at the Fly-in at Indianapolis Executive Airport on August 6th. And guess who will be designing and manufacturing the 2011 Down Syndrome Indiana Star Awards? You guessed it! The artisans!
Arc Artisans is an entrepreneurial program where emerging artists at Arc Rehab Services and professional artists from the Central Indiana community come together to create artwork and develop skills in creative expression, craftsmanship and small business management. Artists are active in all areas of design, production and marketing. All proceeds from the sale of artwork go directly back into the program.
The Artisans have quite a few things on their plate right now. For one, they are hosting their first art show from March 3rd to March 25th at Sugar Creek Art Center. More information on this can be found on their Facebook page. In addition, they are beginning to make items from old sweaters. If you would like to donate gently used sweaters to their program, you can send them to Arc Services, c/o Arc Artisans, 900 West Main Street, Lebanon, IN 46052.
Arc Artisans is happy to take special orders for custom pieces and commissioned artwork. You can visit their website at www.arcartisans.org or you can call 765-482-6815 ext. 103.
You will be able to find artwork by the artisans in the silent auction during the Down Syndrome Indiana Fashion Show Gala on Saturday March 19th, 2011, as well as, at the Fly-in at Indianapolis Executive Airport on August 6th. And guess who will be designing and manufacturing the 2011 Down Syndrome Indiana Star Awards? You guessed it! The artisans!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Guest Blogger Katie Shaw talks about her education
I would like to introduce you to guest blogger, Katie Shaw. She is going to tell you about her education and what it means to her....
My Education by guest blogger Katie Shaw
My education is important to me because I have and will have all of my education. I have my certificate of completion and my CDA eventually I will have my GED.
First, I graduated at Pike High School in 2004 with a certificate of completion. This requires to meet the core 40 and to pass part of the math.
Second, I went to Ivy Tech and I got my CDA. I had to take early childhood classes. When you know the stuff it is easy.
Third, right now I am working on my GED. When you start you take an entrance exam to see where you are at then the teacher helps you with your skills.
All and all, when I have my certificate of completion, CDA and my GED that will help me get a job and do what I want to do with my life.
My Education by guest blogger Katie Shaw
My education is important to me because I have and will have all of my education. I have my certificate of completion and my CDA eventually I will have my GED.
First, I graduated at Pike High School in 2004 with a certificate of completion. This requires to meet the core 40 and to pass part of the math.
Second, I went to Ivy Tech and I got my CDA. I had to take early childhood classes. When you know the stuff it is easy.
Third, right now I am working on my GED. When you start you take an entrance exam to see where you are at then the teacher helps you with your skills.
All and all, when I have my certificate of completion, CDA and my GED that will help me get a job and do what I want to do with my life.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Prenatal Testing
Did you know?
· 1 out of every 691 babies born is born with Down syndrome;
· There has been a 15% decrease in the births of babies with Down syndrome between 1989 and 2005;
· Currently more babies with Down syndrome are aborted than are actually born;
· Yet, there is a waiting list of over 250 families that want to adopt a child with Down syndrome…
As early as the fall of 2011, there could be a blood test on the market that would detect Down syndrome within the first trimester of pregnancy. Of those women who receive a prenatal diagnosis, about 82% of them will choose to terminate the pregnancy. Why?
It very well may be due to a lack of current information about the rich lives that individuals with an intellectual disability, such as Down syndrome, can and do lead. For example, studies have shown that some parents choose to continue a pregnancy over termination because of positive images and stories about people with Down syndrome or because of conversations with parents of children with Down syndrome.
The lack of information provided is recognized by more than just the medical community as evidenced by the passage of the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) Practice Bulletin No. 88, which both call for the provision of up to date and current information about Down syndrome and referral to a support group when the diagnosis of Down syndrome is made.
As a local support group whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Indiana’s Outreach Program strives to build relationships with the medical community through positive interactions and encourages medical personnel to distribute up to date and accurate information about Down syndrome to the families they serve. This is a pro-information movement whose time has come.
Most importantly, we as a community need to showcase our loved ones with Down syndrome. We need everyone to see the value that each brings to their home, family, place of work and their community. We need to reach outside of just families with Down syndrome to recruit those who believe in inclusion not only because they have a child but because it is a value that they hold dear. These people are out there. I speak with them every day.
If you want to be a part of sharing positive information about Down syndrome or would like to volunteer, please visit our website at www.dsindiana.org or call 925-7617 today!
Oh and prepare to be….inspired!
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
Down Syndrome Indiana
· 1 out of every 691 babies born is born with Down syndrome;
· There has been a 15% decrease in the births of babies with Down syndrome between 1989 and 2005;
· Currently more babies with Down syndrome are aborted than are actually born;
· Yet, there is a waiting list of over 250 families that want to adopt a child with Down syndrome…
As early as the fall of 2011, there could be a blood test on the market that would detect Down syndrome within the first trimester of pregnancy. Of those women who receive a prenatal diagnosis, about 82% of them will choose to terminate the pregnancy. Why?
It very well may be due to a lack of current information about the rich lives that individuals with an intellectual disability, such as Down syndrome, can and do lead. For example, studies have shown that some parents choose to continue a pregnancy over termination because of positive images and stories about people with Down syndrome or because of conversations with parents of children with Down syndrome.
The lack of information provided is recognized by more than just the medical community as evidenced by the passage of the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) Practice Bulletin No. 88, which both call for the provision of up to date and current information about Down syndrome and referral to a support group when the diagnosis of Down syndrome is made.
As a local support group whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Indiana’s Outreach Program strives to build relationships with the medical community through positive interactions and encourages medical personnel to distribute up to date and accurate information about Down syndrome to the families they serve. This is a pro-information movement whose time has come.
Most importantly, we as a community need to showcase our loved ones with Down syndrome. We need everyone to see the value that each brings to their home, family, place of work and their community. We need to reach outside of just families with Down syndrome to recruit those who believe in inclusion not only because they have a child but because it is a value that they hold dear. These people are out there. I speak with them every day.
If you want to be a part of sharing positive information about Down syndrome or would like to volunteer, please visit our website at www.dsindiana.org or call 925-7617 today!
Oh and prepare to be….inspired!
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
Down Syndrome Indiana
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Think College!
Book Review: Think College!
Postsecondary Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Author: Meg Grigal & Debra Hart Foreword by Madeleine Will
As more and more students with intellectual disabilities "think college," high schools and postsecondary schools must be fully prepared to meet their needs. Developed by two highly respected experts, this book uncovers the big picture of postsecondary education (PSE) options and reveals how to support students with disabilities before, during, and after a successful transition to college.
A critical resource for education professionals to read and share with families, Think College! helps readers to:
• Understand the philosophical and practical purposes and potential outcomes of supporting students with intellectual disabilities to access PSE
• Explore the three current models for PSE: the inclusive individual support approach, the mixed hybrid approach, and substantially separate options
• Overcome the common challenges to PSE for students with intellectual disabilities
• Plan effective, person-centered transition services for high-school students
• Support students as they manage the practical aspects of a positive PSE experience
• Connect students’ PSE experiences directly to employment and other life goals.
With this thorough guide to today’s PSE options and tomorrow’s possibilities, professionals will help students with intellectual disabilities take full advantage of their educational opportunities – and set the stage for successful, fulfilling community lives.
This book is available to check out from the DSI Lending Library. For more information about the Lending Library or to check out this book please contact Rachel Wood by e-mail at rachel@dsindiana.org or by phone at 317.925.7617.
Postsecondary Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Author: Meg Grigal & Debra Hart Foreword by Madeleine Will
As more and more students with intellectual disabilities "think college," high schools and postsecondary schools must be fully prepared to meet their needs. Developed by two highly respected experts, this book uncovers the big picture of postsecondary education (PSE) options and reveals how to support students with disabilities before, during, and after a successful transition to college.
A critical resource for education professionals to read and share with families, Think College! helps readers to:
• Understand the philosophical and practical purposes and potential outcomes of supporting students with intellectual disabilities to access PSE
• Explore the three current models for PSE: the inclusive individual support approach, the mixed hybrid approach, and substantially separate options
• Overcome the common challenges to PSE for students with intellectual disabilities
• Plan effective, person-centered transition services for high-school students
• Support students as they manage the practical aspects of a positive PSE experience
• Connect students’ PSE experiences directly to employment and other life goals.
With this thorough guide to today’s PSE options and tomorrow’s possibilities, professionals will help students with intellectual disabilities take full advantage of their educational opportunities – and set the stage for successful, fulfilling community lives.
This book is available to check out from the DSI Lending Library. For more information about the Lending Library or to check out this book please contact Rachel Wood by e-mail at rachel@dsindiana.org or by phone at 317.925.7617.
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