31. May 2009
pete
Q. How do you select the puppies for the program?
A. Our son’s Aussie is the dam of the program puppies. For our son with Down Syndrome and the rest of our family, she is the perfect fit. Our son handles each of the puppies every day. By observing the puppies with our son, we hand pick the puppies specifically suited for children with special needs.
Q. Are the puppies AKC registered?
A. No. The mother’s parents are a pair of Aussies with no papers. We selected her solely on the basis of temperament and sensitivity. She has a keen sense for our son’s needs and is eager to please. Of course, our son loves her to pieces, and that helps. One of our Aussies self-appointed duties in life is to help our son unwind after his school day. She is there to greet him as soon as he gets home. It is not uncommon for him to spend 30 minutes just loving his dog at the end of his day.
Q. Are the puppies raised in a kennel?
A. No. The puppies are handled frequently throughout the day and are thoroughly ready to join a new family with a special needs child when they leave here.
Q. Do the puppies have special environmental needs?
A. All dogs need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and these are no exception. These puppies can thrive in any climate. Our own Aussie grows a heavy winter coat, sheds moisture easily and has no problem whatsoever with winter or summer weather.
Q. Which homes qualify for the ASAWAY Puppy Program?
A. Only dog-friendly homes with a child with special needs, such as Autism, Down Syndrome or significant speech or hearing delays qualify.
Q. Do you train the puppies?
A. Yes and no. Our son handles each puppy every day. You will receive a special-needs-child-friendly puppy that will be easy to incorporate into your own dog-friendly home.
Q. How do I get more information or place my child on a waiting list for one of these puppies?
A. Click here for more information or to contact us about placing your child on the waiting list.
ASAWAY Puppy Program,
companion dogs,
service dogs down syndrome,
special needs school | 0 Kommentare »
18. August 2008
pete
The Quilt and Share Project plans to offer people with Down Syndrome an opportunity to learn to quilt. At the same time, local Down Syndrome advocacy groups will have a unique fundraising opportunity. While quilt festivals and quilt benefit auctions are taking the country by storm, Down Syndrome groups will be getting in on the action. Special quilters will be encouraged to donate one of the quilts they make in the classes to a benefit auction for their local advocacy group.
class221.com Quilt & Share Project: Our passion at class221 is teaching people with Down Syndrome and other special needs to make small quilts, table toppers, pillows and wall quilts. Two ways to get involved:
1. You can start teaching special quilters in your own community. The introductory class will focus on developing pre-quilting skills. Intermediate and advanced classes will range from quilting pillows, 20″ table toppers, 40″ crib quilts, through 60″ square throws. (contact Quilt & Share Project)
2. You can organize a local Quilt & Share Benefit Auction to raise funds for your local Down Syndrome or other special needs advocacy group. Auction items are donated by special quilters or patrons and friends of the local chapter. (email for more information)
Quilt And Share Project | 1 Kommentar »
11. August 2008
pete
Meridith Martin
I am Meredith Martin, a 24 year old self advocate from the small Northeast Nebraska community of Neligh I attended elementary and high school here and graduated with the Class of 2000. After graduation, as my friends were heading off to college, I knew I wanted to go somewhere, too. So, I left my parents home and moved in to my own apartment. Although I did not have a roommate or even a pet, I did enjoy my new feeling of independence (once my cable TV was connected).
When I was in second grade I decided that I wanted to become a nurse. Although I have not met that dream yet, I am working at our hospital as an office aid. Some days I do get to help the nurses out on the floor or assist in cardiac rehab. Those are my best days at work. I also work two other part time jobs. One is at our grocery store and the other is at an assisted living facility. I am happiest when I am busy and out and about in the community.
I have not given up on my dream to be a nurse.
One goal that I have had since I was about four was to get a drivers license. Once I moved into my apartment, I hated to have to keep calling my parents for rides to work, so I hired a driving instructor. I soon had my drivers license and a whole new feeling of independence!
I am active in my church and community. I enjoy kickboxing, Pilates and I walk and ride my bike a lot. I am always ready for a shopping trip or a chance to do lunch with friends. Dancing is a passion, so NDSC conventions are a real treat since there are no discos in my town. I love to fish and spend time boating with my family. One of the things that has shocked my mom the most is how I have started to enjoy cooking and trying new recipes since leaving home. I do invite my parents over often for an evening meal.
I have so enjoyed attending the NDSC conventions through the years. I have met so many wonderful people who have inspired me to work even harder, to continue to dream and set new goals. At the 2006 convention I was elected to the NDSC Board as a self advocate. That was an exciting moment. I am enjoying having an active part with this fine group of people. I feel we have a real message to share and I will work to be a positive force in getting out the encouraging news that we have about Down syndrome.
My S.T.A.R. philosophy is one that has served me pretty well so far: S–Surround yourself with positive supportive people; T–Teach others about your disability (or abilities); A–Always advocate for yourself and others; R–Reach for your North Star!
self advocates | 0 Kommentare »
11. August 2008
pete
Christi Hockel
My name is Christi Hockel. This Christmas I will turn 28 years old. I have lived all of my life in Walnut Creek, California. I am a courtesy clerk at Safeway where I like to talk with the customers. I live in my own studio apartment which is attached to my family home. I am known around here as “Auntie Christi” because I love my 23 nieces and nephews.
I graduated from Northgate High School with a diploma in 2000. I learned to drive and have a license. I go to Diablo Valley College, where I have taken lots of dance and drama classes (along with P.E. classes, Spanish, Music Literature, Sign Language, and Voice & Diction). My GPA is 3.9. For two semesters, I was a teacher’s assistant in the beginning drama class. I love to perform and I keep working on my monologue!
I have taken piano lessons, singing lessons, and sewing lessons. I know how to cook lots of things. Right now, I am working on losing weight! I love to draw and make things with beads. I watch television a lot. I like to watch movies, sports, and old shows. I go bowling with my friends once a week, and volunteer at the hospital for almost 600 hours. I have a boyfriend who lives in Texas, and we spend a lot of time on the phone, and flying back and forth for visits.
I was a Board member of the NDSC from 2003-2006. Now, another door opened for me. I get to be on the Self-Advocate Council and talk with people with many different ideas.
self advocates | 0 Kommentare »
11. August 2008
pete
Carrie Bergeron-Desai
Carrie is a thirty-year old yound adult with Down Syndrome from upstate New York. She radiates joy and warmth when you meet her. This trait has been evident ever since she was a hypotonic infant with a wobbly head!
Carrie is presently in a NYS Self - Determination transition plan, living in Rome, NY with her husband. She is married to Sujeet Desai. They were married this past July in two lovely ceremonies, one Hindu and the second Christian and are settling into their new life together. They have staff support with their daily routines and are doing very well in this transition time.
Carrie volunteers two days a week at the Upstate Cerebral Palsy Center working with toddlers. She received a two - degree (obtained in four and a years) from Herkimer County Community College as a teacher’s assistant in 2003. She also, volunteers at the Rome Memorial Hospital three days a week doing office work and helping out with the Tai Chi program on the geriatric floor. Phyiscal fitness is maintained by daily visits to the local YMCA plus two classes in Tae Kwon Do (maintaining black belt status), music, and dancing.
She is a former board member of the National Down Syndrome Congress Board of Directors and now serves on the Self Advocacy Committee and the Youth and Adult Committee. She loves to share her experiences as a young adult with Down Syndrome. Carrie and her husband, Sujeet, will continue to present at conferences. They radiate their love for each other and also complement one another with her flair for speaking and his flair for music, making a wonderful lifelong team!
self advocates | 0 Kommentare »
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