DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio

This week our Little Buddies Parent Resource Group met up for some learning and fun! 💙💛

Parents learned the basics of CPR and first-aid from YMCA staff (and fellow DSACO parent!). We learned what to do in an emergency, how to treat render first-aid, what to do when someone is choking, and how to perform CPR.

It was an interactive and informative session that will surely help those in attendance feel more confident in emergency situations!

DSACO's Little Buddies Parent Resource Group meets monthly, in two convenient locations! If you're a parent or caregiver of a child with Down syndrome preschool age or younger, make sure to join our Facebook group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/339782022866623.

Join us for our next Somali Outreach Group!

You're invited to a fun-filled picnic on Saturday, September 14 from 5:30-8:00 PM at Windsor Park Dream Field Shelter & Playground!

Spend your evening with other Somali families for a wonderful time of relaxation, delicious food and great company. 🥰

This event is free to DSACO families, but registration is required. Visit https://dsaco.net/events/somalioutreach/ to register by September 2. We can't wait to see you there! 🎉

We are just TWO WEEKS away from the deadline to guarantee your Columbus Buddy Walk T-Shirt! ⏰

Register by August 30 at NOON to guarantee your T-shirt size and get ready to rock your tee in celebration and support!
This is also the deadline for our Team Captains to reach those fundraising incentive levels, so now's the time to rally your friends and family to join your team for the most incredible day of the year! 💙💛

Join us on Sunday, September 29 as we bring our community together to celebrate and support our loved ones with Down syndrome! We want you to join us as we share with the world just how unstoppABLE people with Down syndrome are! 💪

Head over to columbusbuddywalk.org to register today, before it's too late! T-shirt sizes are not guaranteed after August 30, so what are you waiting for?!

THANK YOU! 🎉

DSACO would like to thank the Crowe Cares team for spending their day assembling our back-to-school IEP Kits!

They worked so hard and were so excited to help us support our families as they head back to school, through our IEP Kits. Each kit was assembled with excitement and love and are beyond GRATEFUL for their commitment to community and giving back! ❤️

New babies and new beginnings! 🥰

This past weekend, DSACO hosted our New Parent Celebration! 🎉 We enjoyed welcomed our new families who had a little one in the past year!

We love celebrating our new parents and we were thrilled to see so many smiling faces! Families enjoyed breakfast, playtime and mingling with other new families. So many new connections and friendships were made, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for this extraordinary groups of families! 💙💛

Special thanks to Better Together Playnasium for donating their sensory-friendly and inclusive play space for our celebration!

Have you picked up a Columbus Buddy Walk yard sign yet?

Yard signs are still available and can be picked up at the DSACO office during normal business hours, Monday - Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Grab one for you, your neighbors, grandparents, and anyone else who would like to help spread the word about the most exciting day of the year! You can also personalize your sign with your Buddy Walk team name! 🎉

If you haven't created your Buddy Walk team yet, there's still time! Visit columbusbuddywalk.org to get started! 💛💙

Mark your calendars and join DSACO this fall for a fun family afternoon at the pumpkin patch! 🍂

You're invited to join us as we welcome in the fall season with our Family Pumpkin Patch Event, hosted at two convenient locations on Sunday, September 22 from 3:00 - 5:00 PM.
Spend your afternoon with other DSACO families for some seasonal fun either at Van Buren Acres or Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm! 🎃

Both locations will give families the opportunity to partake in festive autumn activities and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon together.

This event is free to DSACO families, but registration is required. Visit https://dsaco.net/events/countyoutreach/ for more details and to register by September 15!

Thank you! ❤️

Abbott Nutrition is sponsoring a Hydration Station at this year’s Buddy Walk! 🎉

Visit them at the finish line to pick up Pedialyte and say hello! We are so grateful for Abbott’s continued support of the Columbus Buddy Walk, thank you for your generosity and commitment to giving back to your community! 🤝

We're less than 2 months away from the 2024 Columbus Buddy Walk, visit columbusbuddywalk.org to register and join us for the best day of the year! 🎉

"We help people navigate their journey by fostering independence while we advocate for their path to go any which way they choose." ElevateDD

Empowerment is one of our core values and truly embodies what DSACO strives to do for the Down syndrome community! 💙💛

Providing opportunities for our loved ones with Down syndrome to gain skills, independence, and confidence in their own abilities is a big part of what we do!

Do you have a favorite DSACO program that has fostered empowerment and independence for your loved one with Down syndrome? If so, tell us about it in the comments below!

ElevateDD strives to embrace a set of core values, which guide our advocacy and support for the developmental disability community, and we want to introduce each of them to you.

Our next featured core value: Empowerment

We champion empowerment because it’s what turns humans into heroes. Pursuing life’s opportunities day in and day out is nothing if not heroic. We help people navigate their journey by fostering independence while we advocate for their path to go any which way they choose. Because while confidence is earned, empowerment is inspired. We love being a part of that inspiration for the people we serve. It’s their story. They deserve to be the hero.

Nothing but smiles! 😁

Last week our High School Social Group met up for a night of friendly Bingo competition and delicious pizza! 🍕

We had a great time at Taranto's Pizzeria, and it was the perfect way to say goodbye to summer and hello to back-to-school! 👋

Keep an eye out for more information on our next get-together, we hope to see you there!

Team Captains, today is the last day to win the challenge! 🙌

DSACO's annual State Challenge is back, and the winner of this challenge will receive a $100 Amazon gift card! 😮 The Buddy Walk team with the most donations and/or registrations from the MOST US States by August 11 wins! 🎉

Now's the time to reach out to friends and family all over the US. The map is filling up, but we still have a few states to go! 🎉
We're still looking for: Oregon, Utah, South Dakota, New Mexico, Delaware and Arkansas!

We're so grateful for each and every donation that's been received so far! THANK YOU! 💙💛

“In May of 2022, my husband and I found out that we were expecting for the first time. We were over the moon excited! My pregnancy was going so smoothly, and we did early genetic testing that was negative for trisomy 21, among other genetic disorders.
Fast forward a few months to our anatomy scan and everything changed in an instant.

We were shocked to hear that our baby girl had a large hole in her heart that would require open heart surgery, among some other concerning markers. It felt like we had been hit by a semi-truck. We started to search for some answers and ultimately decided to do an amniocentesis after many doctors were suspicious of trisomy 21, despite our negative results in the earlier screening.

About two weeks later we received a call from our genetic counselor who told us that our baby girl had trisomy 21, or Down syndrome. We were crushed. I remember feeling every negative emotion you could think of when processing the news. It stole the joy from my last trimester, as we anxiously awaited her arrival.
During this time, we got connected to DSACO, which helped us process the news and find a community that was excited for us.

Amelia Grace was born on New Year’s Eve and got to spend about an hour with us before she needed to be admitted to the NICU. Amelia had a very long and grueling journey in the hospital. She spent 183 days hospitalized, had countless procedures, and had 2 open heart surgeries within 9 days of each other. I started to call her my unicorn, as many times throughout her hospital stay doctors weren’t sure why certain things were happening and she left them scratching their heads.

However, Amelia showed her strength and courage the entire time. She has absolutely changed me, and I’m a better person because of her. Her smile lights up the entire room and if she can bring that much light into my life, I can’t wait to see what else she will teach me! I can honestly say that I went from being scared about the future to being excited for it!
To new parents, there will be hard days but this baby will bring you so much love, joy and light!” - Amelia’s mom

Make sure to follow our Instagram page, Expecting Extraordinary, to hear more stories from our families!

Together, we are unstoppABLE! 💪

Let's break barriers and show the world what we're capable of!

Join us on Sunday, September 29 for a day you won't forget! The Columbus Buddy Walk brings our community together, united under one cause. 💙💛

Learn more about the Buddy Walk at columbusbuddywalk.org and register by Friday, August 30 to guarantee your t-shirt! We can't wait to see you there! 🎉

Join us for a day of science and exploration at COSI! 🌟

DSACO's Black and African American Outreach Group will be spending an afternoon at COSI where families can learn and explore with each other!

Join us on Saturday, August 17 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at COSI Science and Technology Center where families will embark on a fun adventure day that will inspire curiosity. Get ready to make magic happen in the world of science, tech, and industry! 🔬

Admission and snacks are included for DSACO families (child with Down syndrome and immediate family). Get ready to dive into a day filled with wonder, discovery, and unforgettable memories! 🎉

Registration is required for this event, visit https://dsaco.net/events/africanamericangroup/ for more details and to register today!

Feel empowered this school year with DSACO's IEP Kits! 💙💛

Today is the deadline to register for DSACO's IEP Kits for the 2024-2025 school year! 🎉

If you're a parent or caregiver of a child with Down syndrome that's navigating the complex world of Individualized Educations Plans (IEPs), DSACO wants to give you tools and resources to help you feel empowered and ready to navigate the process effectively.

This year we're focusing on helping you start off the new school year strong, with our back-to-school theme! This incredible IEP Kit includes helpful tools and resources such as a back-to-school checklist, tips for including your student in IEP meetings, as well as items to help you stay organized and prepared for your IEP meeting.

Visit https://dsaco.net/iepkit/ to register for yours! Register for yours today, before it's too late! ⏰

Have you registered yet?

Join us next week on Tuesday, August 13 for this informational webinar that will address behavioral challenges in school-aged children with Down syndrome! 💙💛

This webinar aims to help parents and caregivers feel confident and prepared, as they navigate the unique behavioral challenges that can come along with raising a child with Down syndrome. Join us to hear insights into the behavioral challenges commonly observed in school-aged children with Down syndrome, while also exploring the underlying factors contributing to these challenges.

We're excited to hear from Clinical Psychologist, Vanessa Rodriguez PhD BCBA-D MPH, from Nisonger Center Clinical Support Services, as she shares her knowledge and insight with us.

Come prepared with questions about your child, or just listen in to learn more! 🖥
Visit https://dsaco.net/events/behavioralwebinar/ to register for this free webinar today!

Let's hear it for our 2024 Columbus Buddy Walk sponsors! 👏👏

DSACO is incredibly grateful to this impressive list of sponsors and media partners who share our passion for inclusion and making a difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families! 💙💛

THANK YOU for your partnership as we work toward supporting families, promoting community involvement, and encouraging a lifetime of opportunities for people with Down syndrome! 🤝

To learn more about the Columbus Buddy Walk, or to make a donation, visit columbusbuddywalk.org. We'll see you on Sunday, September 29! 🎉

Join us next month! 🎉

You're invited to join us for DSACO's Annual Hispanic & Latino Family Picnic on Saturday, September 7 at Windsor Park Dream Field Shelter in Grove City, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

Spend your Saturday morning with other DSACO families as we come together and celebrate summer! Enjoy food, games, face painting, and catching up with friends (or making a new one!). DSACO brings the fun, you bring the smiles! 😁

This event is free to DSACO families, but registration is required. Visit https://dsaco.net/events/latinopicnic/ for all the details and to register by August 25.

Little Buddies families, make sure to join us this month for our August meet-ups! 🎉

This month, you're invited to join us as we learn the basics and best practices of CPR from staff at the Delaware Community YMCA. This meeting will help you be prepared and feel more confident to handle an emergency or medical event, for you and your family. 🚑

Little Buddies meets at two convenient locations in Worthington (North) and Pickerington (Southeast). Join us on Monday, August 12 from 6:30-8:00 PM for Little Buddies North, OR on Thursday, August 15 from 6:30-8:00 PM for Little Buddies Southeast. As always, dinner and childcare will be provided!

Visit our Little Buddies Parent Resource Group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/339782022866623 to RSVP!

Check it out! 👀

We can't wait to get our hands on this incredible book! Congratulations to Emma and Julia, on becoming a published author! 🎉

Get your hands on your very own copy at https://a.co/d/bxoTSwt. 📖

Team Captains, are you up for the challenge? 🙌

DSACO's annual State Challenge is back, and the winner of this challenge will receive a $100 Amazon gift card! 😮

So how do you win? The Buddy Walk team with the most donations and/or registrations from the MOST US States by August 11 wins! 🎉

Now's the time to reach out to friends and family all over the US. Check out the map to see which states we still haven't received a donation from and help us fill it up!

As you can see, the map is already mostly blue thanks to all of YOU! We're so grateful for each and every donation that's been received so far! THANK YOU! 💙💛

Radical Empathy❣️

Radical empathy is a part of everything that we do here at DSACO. From supporting new parents, to planning family events, to delivering hospital care packages, everything we do is built upon our core values.

We are excited to continue sharing more about each of our core values over the next few weeks, so stay tuned for more!

ElevateDD strives to embrace a set of core values, which guide our advocacy and support for the developmental disability community, and we want to introduce each of them to you.

First up: Radical Empathy

Doing the best for people starts by understanding them. To be great advocates is to be great listeners. And while no two people can walk a mile in another’s shoes, we can certainly walk beside them, showing compassion and recognizing the circumstances and characteristics that make each person truly unique. Radical empathy is seeing the world through the eyes of those we advocate for to strengthen the way the world looks back. This drives every action we take, from the first step to, well, every step that follows.

Team Captains, don't forget to submit your pictures for our Jumbotron video presentation at the 2024 Columbus Buddy Walk! 💙💛

We want to highlight and celebrate all of our Buddy Walk teams during the Jumbotron video presentation, and we need your help to do that!

Please submit 2 photos 📸 for your team to be featured in our Jumbotron video presentation during the Buddy Walk to [email protected] by September 1. Please make sure to include your team name in the email!

Join us virtually for our next Hispanic & Latino Outreach Group on Thursday, August 8 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM.

Let's continue creating bonds of support in our community and have some fun! We'll be talking about upcoming opportunities for our families, as well as diving deeper into DSACO programs. This will be a fun conversation with several surprises along the way, so you don't want to miss it! 🎉

Registration is required to receive the link for the meeting, visit https://dsaco.net/events/latinooutreach/ to register today.

Supporting families! 💞

Check out this incredible journal that talks about how to support Black and Hispanic parents who have a child with Down syndrome.

DSACO was thrilled to have been a contributor to this important work and helping to bring about discussion and change to the health disparities that continue to exist for Black and Hispanic parents receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis.

Visit https://helenjournal.org/june-2024/how-to-support to read the full journal!

Sponsors, don't miss your chance to team up with us and make a difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome! 💙💛

The sponsorship deadline for the Columbus Buddy Walk is TODAY! ⏰

We have sponsorship opportunities to fit every budget, all of which include your name OR logo on the back of thousands of our Buddy Walk T-shirts! 🎉
Visithttps://www.ds-stride.org/resources/organization/30/event/32/BW24_SponsorshipDeck.pdf to check out all of the ways your company or organization can get involved.
You don't want to miss this is an incredible opportunity to be a part of raising awareness for Down syndrome, promoting inclusivity, and celebrating the unstoppABLE abilities and remarkABLE accomplishments of people with Down syndrome! 🎉

We look forward to partnering with you as we make an impact on the Down syndrome community right here in Central Ohio! 💙💛

Feel empowered this school year with DSACO's IEP Kits! 💙💛

Registration for DSACO's IEP Kits for the 2024-2025 school year is now open! 🎉

If you're a parent or caregiver of a child with Down syndrome that's navigating the complex world of Individualized Educations Plans (IEPs), DSACO wants to give you tools and resources to help you feel empowered and ready to navigate the process effectively.

This year we're focusing on helping you start off the new school year strong, with our back-to-school theme! This incredible IEP Kit includes helpful tools and resources such as a back-to-school checklist, tips for including your student in IEP meetings, as well as items to help you stay organized and prepared for your IEP meeting.

Visit https://dsaco.net/iepkit/ to register for yours! Registration is open through August 8, so make sure to register soon! ⏰