Rachel Reit

November 27, 2018

Looking Back on November 2018

Rachel Reit

November 27, 2018

Milwaukee

Transition Conference
We had a great turnout for our Transition Conference in partnership with the Down Syndrome Clinic at Children’s Hospital, Family Voices of Wisconsin, and the Southeast Regional Center for CYSHCN. We heard sessions about moving from child to adult health care, what comes after high school, and what it’s like to transition to adult life. Thank you to our partners for a great fall conference!

Learning and Skills Night with the Medical College of Wisconsin
On November 8 our Young Leaders Academy students took a trip to MCW to talk to and learn from the medical students. The med students taught us about different kinds of doctors and how to do a medical examination. We got to tell them about what we like and don’t like about going to the doctor’s office, and then we got to practice examining them! Thanks to the MCW Friends of Special Needs for their incredible partnership. We had so much fun and are looking forward to working more with them again in the future!

Relationships Class
We offer a course on relationships for individuals with special needs. They talk about personal boundaries, dating, self-defense, stranger danger, and safety. There are classes on Monday nights and Saturday mornings, and it runs until December 19!

Nutrition & Wellness Class
DSAW and DSAW-Family Services also offered two sessions of a Nutrition and Wellness Class this month. The class meets twice a week and learns about personal health and well-being, exercise, and healthy cooking.

Young Leaders Bootcamp
This month at Bootcamp we focused on creating friendships. We discussed questions like “What are good friendships and why are they important?” and “How are good friendships built?” We really learned a lot!

Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in December to learn about different holidays around the world.

Cooking with the Kiddos
Cooking with the Kiddos happens every first and third Wednesday at our State office! Don’t worry about dinner plans — we’ll take care of it! This month at cooking, we made mini pizzas. At the second session we made gluten free mac n cheese and biscuits! They were delicious!

Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. We also offer free music therapy in conjunction with playgroup! Sign up to join us!

Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month, DSAW transforms into a hoppin' place for tweens to hang out! This month we prepared for Thanksgiving with apple pie, turkey crafts, and games! Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, December 14. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up!

Parent's Night Out
Each month, DSAW parents, grandparents, and caregivers get together for a night of casual conversation and free appetizers. We meet every second Friday of the month at Cleveland Pub, in conjunction with Tween Club! Come join us for one of our favorite nights of the month on Friday, December 14!

Central Wisconsin

Parent’s First Call Support Parent Training
We had a wonderful group of parents join us in Weston on November 3 for a PFC Support Parent Training. These parents came together to learn how to meet the need for peer support! As a part of Wisconsin’s Network of Support Parents, they now can be connected to another parent of a child with Down syndrome looking for support. Thank you to the parents and to Parent to Parent of Wisconsin for making this training happen!

Children’s Museum Outing
We went to Stevens Point this month to visit the Central WI Children’s Museum! We explored the museum together and had lunch!

Mom’s Coffee Date
DSAW women got together for a Mom’s Coffee Date at Vino Latte in Wausau on the second Wednesday of the month. We love this time to talk to other moms and grandmas while enjoying coffee and treats! Join us at the Vino Latte in Weston on December 12!

La Crosse

Family Night Out
At the beginning of the month we went to The Children’s Museum of La Crosse with our friends from the La Crosse Area Autism Foundation. The museum hosted an Inclusion Night for people with disabilities, and we had a great night exploring the museum without the extra stimulation of its busy hours!

Self Advocate Bowling Event
DSAW self advocates went bowling at Pla-Mor Lanes in La Crosse on November 10. Everyone did an awesome job out on the lanes, and we had a great afternoon!

Parent’s Night Out
Our Parent’s Night Out this month was at Pacifico Mexican Restaurant in Viroqua! Parents, grandparents, caregivers, and adult siblings had a casual evening of conversation and free appetizers!

Green Bay

Dad’s Night Out
In November, DSAW-GB dads had a night to themselves! We went to Buffalo Wild Wings and shared some free appetizers while watching sports!

Cookie Decorating Event
Families got together at the Howe Resource Center on November 24 for cookie decorating, ornament making, and designing aprons! We loved decorating (and eating!) all of our cookies and getting ready for the holiday season!

Mom’s Night Out
DSAW moms, grandmas, and female caregivers took a break from the holiday madness to get together for a night out! We went to Caliente in De Pere and had a great evening! Please note that there will be no Mom’s Night Out in December due to the holidays.

MADSS

Playgroup at Sky Zone
We had a busy month in November! We started off with a playgroup at Sky Zone. Everyone had so much fun jumping around on the trampolines and launching into the foam pit!

Arts and Crafts Workshop
We made Fall-themed arts and crafts this month at UW-Madison! Families enjoyed light refreshments and got to express their creativity with painting crafts!

Rock County Family Holiday Movie
Rock County families came together in Janesville to see the latest release of The Grinch! We loved celebrating the holidays with each other and this silly movie! Thank you to all of our families who joined us :)

Parent’s Night Out
At the end of the month, parents, grandparents, caregivers, and adult siblings met up at Bonefish Grill for a casual evening of conversation and free appetizers!

Mom’s Take 5
MADSS also has a Mom’s Night Out on the 5th of every month! November was no different! We always love getting together with these incredible women.

Fox Cities

Mom’s Night Out
Moms, grandmas, and female caregivers got together at the beginning of November for an evening of respite at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen in Appleton! We had a fun night of conversation and good eats!

Rachel Reit

November 26, 2018

News

OEC donates $14,000 to disability agencies

Rachel Reit

November 26, 2018

News

Rachel Reit

November 26, 2018

Down Syndrome & Alzheimer's

Rachel Reit

November 26, 2018

Would you take a few minutes to read about Dan and DSAW's new programming for people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's? National organizations have referred to our Down syndrome and Alzheimer's initiative as "pioneering" and as a "model for other Down syndrome groups around the country," and we need your help to sustain it!

By the time they are 60, almost 80% of people with Down syndrome will develop dementia. As Dan, now age 56, grew older, he started to develop signs of Alzheimer's disease. His parents face new challenges every day as his primary caregivers, and Dan's diagnosis has added a whole new dimension to their lives.

Dan's family attended DSAW's first Memory Cafe in Milwaukee this summer. His mom Eileen was thrilled to see that DSAW was offering programs for the aging population. Many organizations don't focus on this demographic, and Eileen "appreciates any help we can get. DSAW's attempt to form Memory Cafes provided for us a very welcome resource."

Eileen and her family feel passionately about sharing their experiences with others who can learn from Dan's dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Alzheimer's. She encourages others to be open and honest about their loved ones with Down syndrome who are showing signs of Alzheimer's. Eileen, Dan, and their family hope to meet you at an upcoming Memory Cafe!

Until then, we have compiled a wealth of Down syndrome and Alzheimer's resources for you now. Visit our resources page, watch our recent webinars, sign up for our Down syndrome & Alzheimer's newsletter, and join our Facebook support group to get more information and connect with others. If you're in the Milwaukee area, join us for a Memory Cafe on Thursday, December 6. Thank you to Bader Philanthropies for helping us launch this initiative. We intend to roll out these programs across the state in 2019 and beyond, so stay tuned for events in your area!

When you support DSAW, you are supporting needed services for older adults. You are advancing model Down syndrome and Alzheimer's programs and bringing fraternal support to people who can't find it elsewhere.

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. Will you give to DSAW?

Warmly,
Dawn Nuoffer
Executive Director
Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin

PS - Getting good deals on Cyber Monday? Donate those savings to DSAW tomorrow to celebrate Giving Tuesday!

Rachel Reit

November 21, 2018

Medical College of Wisconsin Partnership

Rachel Reit

November 21, 2018

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a day to celebrate all of the people and things that we appreciate. What are you thankful for this week? Does DSAW play a role in any of those things?

Kristen, a student at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and Co-President of the group Friends for Special Needs, is thankful for her partnership with DSAW: "DSAW has created an environment where medical students can have extremely positive experiences with those with disabilities. I personally am so thankful that I can help facilitate this knowledge and experience with my peers to help them become better physicians in the future."

MCW students have been volunteering with DSAW for more than three years, supporting young adults with Down syndrome and other special needs at DSAW's recurring programs and special events. The experience has been life-changing for both groups! MCW students have made lasting friendships with many of our self advocates, shaping the future for the next generation of medical leaders.

MCW is the 4th largest private medical school in the nation, and its students deploy to practice medicine across the globe. DSAW works with MCW not only to provide volunteer opportunities for its students, but to educate them about what Down syndrome is, what it isn't, and how they can better serve their patients with special needs. DSAW and its partners have also done trainings on how to deliver a compassionate diagnosis. Think about the impact this experience will have when these students become medical professionals!

Our partnership with MCW will affect the future of health care for people with special needs. Kristin has realized that "those with disabilities have so much to offer to this world. If they aren't feeling 100%, they will receive my full attention to their needs. I have been able to recognize better that they know their body and their mind better than their caregivers, and we, as professionals, need to make sure we give credit to what they can offer to their history and presenting symptoms."

On November 8th, self advocates in Young Leaders Academy took a trip to MCW for a Learning and Skills night. The self advocates told the medical students what they like to see in health care professionals, and the med students taught the self advocates how to conduct a medical exam. Kristin's goal of this session "was to help the self advocates have more power over their healthcare and be more informed on what is happening with their health!"

When you support DSAW, you are supporting the future of health care for people with Down syndrome. You are supporting objective diagnoses for new and expectant parents around the world. We need you to help us educate others about Down syndrome. Will you consider making a gift to DSAW next Tuesday?

Warmly,

Dawn Nuoffer
Executive Director
Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin

PS - As you save big on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, consider donating your savings on Giving Tuesday! It's an easy way to give back!

Rachel Reit

October 26, 2018

Looking Back on October 2018

Rachel Reit

October 26, 2018

Milwaukee

Halloween Party
This month we got to celebrate Halloween!! We had a spook-tacular Halloween Dance at our state office, complete with a pasta bar, costume contests, games, crafts, sno cones, and of course, awesome dance moves! It was so much fun to see all of our friends dressed up in costume. We saw Jafar, Elvis, Snow White, some cats, and more :)

Sibling Event with Gnat & Corky
We continued our sibling program this month with an event for kids ages 5-9 who have a sibling with Down syndrome! Gnat and Corky, author and illustrator of Addison the Light Catcher (a book about a sibling!), came to read their book, lead a discussion, and host a related craft. We all had such a great time meeting each other and learning new things. Stay tuned for our next sibling event!

Young Leaders Bootcamp
This month at Bootcamp we talked about worry and anxiety. We learned strategies to cope with them, and we made some awesome worry dolls! At the end of the month, we got in the spirit of Halloween with related crafts and activities.

Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in November to focus on creating friendships!

Family Movie Night
Every month on the fourth Friday, we bring our blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and teddy bears and get comfy for a Movie Night at our West Allis office! This month we celebrated Halloween and Dia de Muertos by watching Coco! Join us next month!

Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. In October we started up our free music therapy program in conjunction with playgroup! Sign up to join us!

Young Leaders Academy
Our Young Leaders Academy at our West Allis office meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. We also have a Young Leaders Class at our Northside location in Fox Point! This location meets the first and second Fridays of the month from 7 - 9 PM! Classes start off with an energetic game and end with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime. On November 8, students in the Thursday program will be going to the Medical College of Wisconsin to learn about advocating for themselves and the doctor’s office. To prepare for this field trip, medical students came to Young Leaders in October and helped teach us about what to expect.

Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month, DSAW transforms into a hoppin' place for tweens to hang out! This month we had a Halloween-themed party just for tweens! Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, November 9. We’ll be preparing for Thanksgiving by making apple pie, doing holiday themed crafts, playing games, and more! Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up!

Fox Cities

9th Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
DSAW-Fox Cities hosted their annual Awareness Walk on Saturday, October 6 in Neenah! It was an awesome day with raffles, trampoline bungee jumping, food, a miniature train, and raising awareness of our friends with Down syndrome!! Fox Cities CRUSHED their fundraising goal! Thank you to everyone who supported this Walk with their time, talent, and treasure. We appreciate you! Check out the news coverage here.

Teen FrienDS Club
DSAW-Fox Cities also continued their monthly Teen FrienDS club for teens with Down syndrome. Every month during the school year they get together for movies, snacks, music, games, and more!

Sheboygan

9th Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
Our Sheboygan chapter closed out Awareness Walk season with their Walk on October 13 at Kiwanis Park. We had a brisk sunny day to welcome DSAW friends for inflatables, crafts, music, a Texas Roadhouse lunch, community resources, and raffles. We had a lovely 21 Showcase and introduced all of our friends with Down syndrome! It was so much fun to see the community come together and raise awareness of our friends. Thank you to all volunteers, donors, sponsors, families, friends, and to our incredible Walk committee! That’s a wrap!

Green Bay

Monthly Playgroup
In October we met at the new Titletown District Playground at Lambeau Field!! It was awesome! We had a fun time on the playground and playing out on the field. Although playgroup usually meets the first Saturday of every month, we are going to suspend it during the winter months so people can stay warm and cozy :)

Self Advocate Corn Maze Event
DSAW self advocates ages 15+ got together at Polly’s Pumpkin Patch to do some corn mazes!! We had an awesome time on a hayride and exploring the corn maze.

Parent’s Night Out
This month we invited ALL parents, grandparents, caregivers, and adult siblings to join us for a well-deserved night out! We met up at Joe Rouer’s in Luxemburg for a night of casual conversation and appetizers. Come join us for Mom’s Night Out or Dad’s Night Out next month!

Central WI

Family Fall Festival
After our Walk at the end of September, we took a little bit of a rest! We did host a Family Fall Festival on October 14 at Wilke’s! We took wagon rides, picked pumpkins, had lunch, and enjoyed a day together at the dairy farm!

Mom’s Coffee Date
We also got together for a Mom’s Coffee date at Vino Latte in October on the second Wednesday! Come join us in November!

MADSS

Fall Family Event
DSAW helped our friends at MADSS host a Family Farm Event on Saturday, October 27! We went to Schuster’s Farm in Deerfield and took a hayride, got pumpkins, did corn mazes, and had some delicious sweet treats!

Dad’s Night Out
MADSS dads got together at Graze in mid-October for a night out together. We welcomed a good group of guys and had a lot of fun!

Mom’s Take 5
MADSS also has a Mom’s Night Out on the 5th of every month! October was no different! We always love getting together with these incredible women.

La Crosse

Parent’s Night Out
In October, DSAW adults met up at Elmaro Vineyard for a great evening of wine, apps, and conversation. The location was beautiful, and we had a great time!

Chippewa Valley

Fall Family Event
We got to celebrate Fall at the end of October with a trip to Schultz’s Country Barn in Eleva! We had a hot dog dinner, took train rides, made s’mores, and painted pumpkins! It was fun to see all of our new DSAW friends from the Awareness Walk last month :)

Abbey Nicholas

October 26, 2018

Meet a DSAW Leader: Amy

Abbey Nicholas

October 26, 2018

My name is Amy Thomas. I am the newest edition to the DSAW state office and I am incredibly excited for this opportunity. I have the pleasure of teaching multiple classes every month for a wide variety of age groups and topics, which allow me to share my creative, authentic self.

I started my career on accident while attending the University of Iowa, where I studied Socio-Cultural Anthropology. I was volunteering at a coffee shop on campus that was run by individuals with disabilities. It was my job to offer support as needed. From there I went on to work for the Goodwill of the Heartland as a job coach and came to the realization I had found my place in the world. I am a bit of a dreamer and believe you should always enjoy what you do for a living, while giving back if you can. I have been working with individuals with disabilities for over 18 years now- which is absolutely mind blowing. I cant believe how quickly time has flown by. While I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my experiences over the course of the last 18 years, I have to say one of my proudest thus far was the creation of Team Awesome. Team Awesome is a technical theater program for students with disabilities at Shorewood High School. The members work alongside the rest of the high school crew, at their own pace, to build sets for the high school productions, as well as running all technical aspects of the show. It is the first of its kind in the nation and although I have since left the program, it is still running strong.

I am the proud mother of three amazing children and one beautiful grandbaby. My oldest child, Hannah, has followed in my footsteps and works 30 hours a week in the same field. She spent her high school years volunteering for Best Buddies and Special Olympics. My middle child, Sullivan, was born with an extremely rare craniofacial abnormality and has undergone over 16 major surgeries. He has just secured his first job experience with the assistance of DSAW-Family Services. My youngest, Jonas, is currently in the 7th grade and exploring new hobbies. He seems to be following in his father's artistic footsteps and enjoys drawing and designing. He has an amazing sense of humor and keeps us all laughing. My husband and I have been married for over 20 years and met back in college. He was in a theater production of Shakespeare that I was required to see for a class. I knew right away he was the one and inevitably it was our theater instructor who introduced us.

When I am not working, I spend a good deal of my free time advocating for human rights that include awareness of socio-economic inequities and social change, as well as environmental awareness. When I have down time I always spend it with my family. They are my world. We enjoy traveling, exploring new environments, arts programs, playing board games, eating out and always laughing and loving.

Rachel Reit

October 8, 2018

News

9th Annual Fox Cities Down Syndrome Awareness Walk

Rachel Reit

October 8, 2018

News

Rachel Reit

October 2, 2018

News

12th annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk in Chippewa Falls

Rachel Reit

October 2, 2018

News

Rachel Reit

October 2, 2018

News

Inaugural Down Syndrome walk kicks off in Wausau

Rachel Reit

October 2, 2018

News

Abbey Nicholas

October 1, 2018

Taking Children with Special Needs to the Dentist

Abbey Nicholas

October 1, 2018

This blog post is sponsored by Dr. Tikalsky from the Dentists on Bluemound

Whether it is your first time or tenth visit, going to the dentist can be scary for people of all ages and abilities. It is common, specifically, for individuals with disabilities to be apprehensive about going to the dentist. Recently, Dr. Tim Tikalsky, dentist at the Dentists on Bluemound, shared advice to help make the trip to the dentist a more favorable one. Not only is Dr. Tikalsky a fantastic dentist, but he is dad to four kids, one of whom has Down syndrome. You may know them as team “I Love Lucy” from the Zoo Walk!

Here are some of his tips for surviving and thriving in the dentist office:

Finding the Right Dental Office

Dr. Tikalsky recommends visiting and taking a tour of the dentist office before an appointment. Meet the dentist and the staff to see if this is the right dentist for your child! The individual with Down syndrome should also come along for the journey so they can familiarize themselves with the sights, sounds, and smells of the place.
It should be noted that a trip to the dentist office should not just be about making your child’s teeth clean and perfect, but also about the overall experience.

Dental Education

Don’t be afraid to let the dental office know about your child’s specific sensory preferences. Some dental offices have sensory questionnaires, which asks a series of questions about your child’s taste, positioning, visual, noise, reward preferences, and more. This will allow for the dental providers to be prepared to provide a comfortable experience for your child.
Take advantage of children’s books and videos revolving around the first trip to the dentist. These tools help teach children about the dentist, including the procedures and equipment involved.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Many children are intimidated with lying back at the dental office for a cleaning or examination. Because of this, it may be an effective strategy for your child to practice lying down at home to become more comfortable with this type of position. Additionally, practicing dental care while they are in this position, such as brushing their teeth or flossing, can help make the first visit less scary.
Role-playing is also a great way to prepare your child for their trip, and will help make the experience fun. Pretend to be the dentist, and walk through what will happen with your child.

A special thank you Dr. Kevin Race of Race Orthodontics and Dr. Angela Trochell of Fun Kids Dentist for their insight and expertise on this topic!

Rachel Reit

September 27, 2018

Looking Back on September 2018

Rachel Reit

September 27, 2018

Milwaukee

22nd Annual Statewide Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
We held our Statewide Awareness Walk on Sunday, September 23 at the Milwaukee County Zoo! We had perfect weather for our Mardi Gras themed party, and we had MORE participants, MORE teams, and raised MORE money than EVER before! Almost 3,000 of our closest friends joined us for a day of inflatables, carnival games, raffles, music, crafts, sno cones, rock climbing, food, and a walk around the Zoo. THANK YOU to everyone who made this year’s Walk so incredible - especially our sponsors, donors, volunteers, families, friends with Down syndrome, and YOU!

Puberty Workshops
In partnership with the Down Syndrome Clinic and Terri Couwenhoven, we sponsored puberty workshops for teenagers with disabilities! In separate sessions, boys and girls learned about sexuality and changes that happen during puberty.

Relationships Class
We’re offering a relationships class during our fall semester for individuals with disabilities. We meet on Saturdays and discuss relationships, personal boundaries, dating, and self-defense.

Nutrition & Wellness Class
DSAW and DSAW-Family Services also offer two sessions of a Nutrition and Wellness Class. The class meets twice a week and learns about personal health and well-being, exercise, and healthy cooking.

Young Leaders Bootcamp
This month at Bootcamp we all came with our favorite recipes. We got to cook and taste them and plan for the cookbook that we’re creating with everyone’s favorites!

Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in October!

Cooking with the Kiddos
Cooking with the Kiddos happens every first and third Wednesday at our State office! Don’t miss this chance to skip the cooking at your house! We’ll provide food for your family and practice cooking skills.

Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. We’ll be starting up music therapy again in October! Sign up to join us!

Young Leaders Academy
Our Young Leaders Academy at our West Allis office meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. We are also have a Young Leaders Class at our Northside location in Fox Point! This location meets the first and second Fridays of the month from 7 - 9 PM! Classes start off with an energetic game and end with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime. Come out to Young Leaders Academy in September in West Allis or in Fox Point!

Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month, DSAW transforms into a hoppin' place for tweens to hang out! This month at tween club we had fun with a back to school theme! We had a school-themed photobooth and made crafts. Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, October 12. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up to join us!

Parent's Night Out
Each month, DSAW parents, grandparents, and caregivers get together for a night of casual conversation and free appetizers. This month we were back at Cleveland Pub, where we’ll be for the rest of 2018! We meet every second Friday of the month in conjunction with Tween Club! Join us on October 12!

La Crosse

16th Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
DSAW-COTH-GLA hosted its Annual Awareness Walk as well this month! We had a giant luau-themed party and a gorgeous, warm September day. Everyone came out in their leis and grass skirts to celebrate our friends with Down syndrome! We had inflatables, raffles, a photobooth, yard games, lunch, and more! Thank you to all of our volunteers, donors, families, and friends! A special thank you to our Awareness Walk planning committee for all the work they did to prepare for this day!

Nature for All Families
We continued our partnership with WisCorps again this month on September 30! DSAW families got together to learn about nature, enjoy a snack, and get together with other people with disabilities!

MADSS

Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
DSAW partnered with the Madison Area Down Syndrome Society this year to help them throw their annual Awareness Walk! We had all new activities like a petting zoo, rock climbing wall, carnival games, inflatables, and much more! We had a hot sunny day on September 16 as we welcomed 700 people to Olin Park in Madison!

Central Wisconsin

FIRST Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk!
This month, we hosted the first EVER Down Syndrome Awareness Walk in Wausau! We had a fantastic turnout for the event (400 people!), and had fun at Doepke Park with disability resource vendors, inflatables, music, raffles, top fundraising prizes, and lunch. Thank you to everyone who helped us pull off our first walk! We’re already looking forward to next year!

Chippewa Valley

Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
DSAW-Chippewa Valley also hosted their Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls! We had a great turnout for a fun day of crafts, inflatables, family photos, a delicious lunch of pulled pork and burgers, and more. Thank you!!

Green Bay

Family Orchard Event
Families from DSAW-Green Bay traveled to Sturgeon Bay to visit Seaquist Orchards! They got to learn all about pie-making in a kitchen tour and make their own caramel apples! Everyone even got a slice of pie to bring home!

Playgroup
We also hosted our monthly playgroup on the first Saturday of the month! This month we went to Voyageur Park in De Pere.

Mom’s Night Out
Every month DSAW women get together for a well-deserved night out! This month we met at Heartland Pizza Company and had drinks and free appetizers!

Sheboygan

Children’s Museum Night
Families came together for our monthly playgroup at the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum! On the second Monday of the month, lights are turned down, noise is turned off, and exhibits are adapted for our friends with disabilities!

Family Farm Outing
DSAW-Sheboygan families also took a trip to Juneau to visit Waldvogel’s Farm, the largest pumpkin farm in Wisconsin! We had fun on the pumpkin trampoline, taking hay rides, doing a corn maze, and more! Happy Fall!!

Rachel Reit

September 17, 2018

News

Down Syndrome Awareness Walk makes Onalaska a little more tropical

Rachel Reit

September 17, 2018

News

Rachel Reit

September 11, 2018

News

TMJ4 Interview - 22nd Annual Statewide Down Syndrome Awareness Walk

Rachel Reit

September 11, 2018

News

Rachel Reit

August 28, 2018

Looking Back on August 2018

Rachel Reit

August 28, 2018

Milwaukee

22nd Annual Tom Pipines Golf Outing On Wednesday, August 15th, DSAW friends and families gathered at Western Lakes golf course for a day of golf, great food, and fundraising! We also presented our special guest Tom Pipines with a Lifetime Achievement Award for all he has accomplished in his career and in the disability community! We want to extend a HUGE thank you to all of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers who made this event possible!!

Milwaukee Pool Party
Families joined us at the Hales Corners pool for a day of fun in the sun! We had a great time splashing around, eating food and enjoying each other's company!

Racine Zoo Day
We also hosted a family event at the beautiful Racine Zoo! DSAW families had a taco lunch, won raffle prizes, did sack races and summer crafts, and got to explore the zoo!

Circles Class
Our second Circles session began July 25th and went through the month of August! We have been learning about personal boundaries, relationships, safety, and appropriate social behaviors!

Down Syndrome & Alzheimer's Memory Cafe
We were so excited to host our FIRST ever memory cafe in Milwaukee. Thanks to a grant from Bader Philanthropies, we have been studying up on Down syndrome and Alzheimer's for several months. At the beginning of August, we got to teach other families what we know and see them come together in a casual environment. Stay tuned for more Ds and Alzheimer's programming!

Young Leaders Bootcamp
We spent this month at Bootcamp learning about different life skills! We did a clothing night when we made t-shirts and learned to sew buttons onto clothes. We also practiced with money and healthy eating!

Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in September!

DSAW Fun Days
On the 9th, we had another Fun Day! Fun Days are mini, one day respite opportunities for kiddos ages 10-16. This was our very last Fun Day for the summer! We went to the State Fair, danced and sang along to an Elvis impersonator, and ate some GREAT fair food!

Family Movie Night
Every month, we bring our blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and teddy bears and get comfy for a Movie Night at our West Allis office! This month we watched Cars 3! Join us next month!!

Club DSAW
At Club DSAW, self-advocates ages 15+ get a chance to do fun things in the community with each other! This month we went to Comedy Sportz for the Saturday matinee!! We had so much fun watching the match and meeting the players.

Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. This month we finished our music therapy program and had great time dancing and singing out hearts out! Music therapy ended this month, but awesome things are still happening at Playgroup! Sign up to join us!

Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month, DSAW transforms into a hoppin' place for tweens to hang out! This month at tween club we did crafts, played games and got into some very serious games of kickball. Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, September 14th. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up to join us!

Parent's Night Out
Each month, DSAW parents, grandparents, and caregivers get together for a night of casual conversation and free appetizers. This month we hung outside on the patio at Fourth-N-Long. We meet every second Friday of the month and will be back at Cleveland Pub in the future! Join us next time: September 14th!

Summer Wellness Class
Our summer session of Health and Wellness Class is still going strong! The class is designed for adults with Down syndrome ages 18-30 and focuses on exercise, healthy nutrition, cooking, and overall wellness. It's held at our office on Mondays and Thursdays. The fall session of this class begins September 10th and has two different locations! You can either attend class at the JCC in Whitefish Bay, or at our DSAW office in West Allis! Both classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Green Bay

10th Anniversary DSAW-Green Bay Down Syndrome Awareness Walk!
Our chapter kicked off DSAW's Awareness Walk season with a bang!! We had a beautiful day raising awareness and acceptance of our loved ones with Down syndrome. There were games, food, raffles, t-shirts, prizes, superheroes, and MORE to celebrate our 10th birthday. We EXCEEDED our fundraising goal, and we couldn't have done it without our many donors, sponsors, volunteers, walkers, and families. We love you!! We're looking forward to providing even more programs and services for our friends with Down syndrome.

Playgroup
This month's playgroup was held at Optimist Park! We meet the first Saturday of every month, and no RSVP is required! Join us :)

Family Splash Time
We had another morning of Family Splash Time at the Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center in August! We LOVE that they adapt the waterpark for kids with special needs.

Haircut Fundraiser
DSAW-Green Bay also hosted our annual haircut fundraiser with HYPE Hair in August! Both kids and adults could get haircuts, and ALL of the proceeds went toward our Awareness Walk! We raised $668 at this incredibly successful event!

La Crosse

Breakfast Club Fundraiser
In August we hosted a fundraiser for our Awareness Walk at The Breakfast Club! 10% of all of the day's proceeds went toward our Walk! We also played egg roulette! In total, we raised $650!! Thank you so much to The Breakfast Club and for everyone who donated/participated!

Family Bowling Night
DSAW-COTH-GLA families had a fun night out bowling on August 11! DSAW provided dinner and bowling for families who had fun competing for strikes!

NASA Family Boat Ride
The weather held out this month for a NASA Family Boat ride! The fish were safe as we enjoyed a beautiful night on Lake Onalaska. Thanks DSAW and NASA for providing this incredible opportunity. Elizabeth, William and Eliza even got to drive the boat!

Holmen Kornfest Parade
DSAW families and friends represented our organization in the Holmen Kornfest Parade on August 18! We walked together in the parade and told others about DSAW!

Parent's Night Out
On the last Saturday of August, the parents got to have some fun! We went to Slice of Chicago in Sparta for a night with other DSAW parents, grandparents, caregivers, and adult siblings. DSAW provided free apps, and we purhcased drinks!

Sheboygan

Above & Beyond Children's Museum Field Trip
In August, we took our monthly field trip to the Children's Museum for Special Needs Night! The exhibits were adapted, sound was turned low, and the museum was closed to the general public. Meet us in September for our next trip!

All Abilities Dance Class
This month, we had our final dance class at In Motion dance studio. We have had such a great time learning about our bodies and minds and discovering how to take care of them through dance!

Family Pool Party
DSAW- Sheboygan families got together at Two Rivers Family Aquatic Center to enjoy a day of fun in the sun. We had a great time splashing around and staying cool!

Central WI

Pool Party We had a beautiful day for a Pool Party on August 4! We went to Schulenburg Pool for a morning of swimming and snacks.

Movie Under the Stars DSAW-Central WI families also got to enjoy the outdoors at our movie under the stars! We watched The Lion King drive-in style and got to make popcorn, have a bonfire, and do crafts!

Fox Cities

Pool Party
DSAW-Fox Cities gathered together for their Annual Pool Party this month! We look forward to seeing families and friends with Down syndrome of ALL ages at this event every year. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Chippewa Valley

Pool Party
August was the month of Pool Parties, that's for sure! DSAW-Chippewa Valley also held their annual Pool Party at Wakanda Waterpark in Menomonie!

MADSS

Rock County Family Picnic
Rock County families had a Family Picnic at the beginning of August! We went to Riverside Park in Janesville to enjoy their splash pad, eat food, and make crafts! We made a marble painting craft, played yard games, and hung out on the playground!

Beloit Snappers Baseball Outing
On August 12, DSAW and MADSS families headed to a Beloit Snappers baseball game! We had fun meeting new families in Rock County.

Weekend Playgroup
On Saturday the 18th MADSS partnered with GiGi's to host a weekend playgroup! We love getting together with the little kiddos for a morning of play and a snack!

Down Syndrome & Alzheimer's Memory Cafe
DSAW and MADSS partnered to host a memory cafe in Madison for people with Alzheimer's and Down syndrome and their caregivers! We gave a brief presentation about the relationship between Ds and Alzheimer's, and we did a scrapbooking activity! Stay tuned for more Ds and Alzheimer's programming!

Abbey Nicholas

August 2, 2018

Meet a DSAW Leader: Alex

Abbey Nicholas

August 2, 2018

Hello, my name is Alex Craig and I am the newly appointed Office and Event Assistant at the DSAW State Headquarters! My background is in Cell & Tissue Biomedical Engineering and I have worked on research projects such as organ preservation and cancer migration. Although extremely interesting and challenging, I felt a necessary interpersonal aspect of that career field was lacking for me. Thus, I took a plunge and moved to Nong Khai, Thailand alone last year! There I took on a position as a middle school science teacher, as well as a personal goal of eating every Thai dish I could get my hands on.

Having the opportunity to travel to over 20 countries has allowed me to see the world from many different angles. Countless times I have been blown away at the beauty, as well as silenced by the hardships. It was through these experiences that I made the decision to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector, focused on advocating for historically disadvantaged and underrepresented populations. As a born & raised Milwaukee native, I didn’t have to look far to become enamored with DSAW, it’s mission, and the families we reach.

When I’m not working, you can most likely find me playing with my younger siblings Violet (1) and Liam (3), or sitting in the sun with my face in a book. Additionally, I volunteer as a Crisis Counselor for Crisis Text Line and I’m a part time Trivia Host at a local Milwaukee pub. As you can tell, I stay busy with a wide variety of different tasks! However, working with people with Down syndrome brings me the most joy and fulfillment. I feel blessed to have this opportunity and look forward to continuing to bring my diverse background to this rewarding position.

If you are interested in volunteering for DSAW in the Milwaukee area, feel free to contact me!

Rachel Reit

July 31, 2018

Looking Back on July 2018

Rachel Reit

July 31, 2018

Milwaukee

Down Home BBQ
On Saturday, July 14th, GiGi's Playhouse and DSAW hosted our annual Down Home BBQ at the DSAW State office in West Allis! We had a bounce house, toddler play area, slip n' slide, inflatable splash zone, yard games, TONS of awesome food and even a live band. Families also had the opportunity to take some amazing family portraits, courtesy of Frenn Photography! A HUGE thank you to all our volunteers and grillers that came to help out, all of the families that came out to enjoy the day and Max & The Invaders for a great set of live music!

Racine Fourth of July Parade On July 4th, DSAW families participated in the Racine Parade! We marched together with a DSAW wagon and showed off all of our beautiful, smiling faces!

Club DSAW
Self-advocates joined us at Moorland Golf Course for an afternoon of friendly competition and ice cream. We mini golfed, hung out and had an all around awesome time!

Circles Class
In July, we wrapped up the first session of our summer Circles class. The Circles program teaches students how relationships can be formed and maintained according to the social norms & social boundaries of our day and age. DSAW staff member Erin Miller teaches the class with her job coach. On our last day, we had a pizza party celebration to reflect on all we learned! The second Circles session began the next week (July 25th). If your child could benefit from learning about personal boundaries and relationships, register here!

Young Leaders Bootcamp
We spent this month at Bootcamp learning about ourselves and others! We got to know our friends in real ways, made vision boards and created achievable, beneficial, personal resolutions!

Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in August!

DSAW Fun Days
On the 19th and 26th, we had our July Summer Fun Days! Fun Days are mini, one day respite opportunities for kiddos ages 10-16. We went on awesome field trips to the water park and bowling!! Join us on August 9th for our next day of fun!

Kids Day Camp
Last month we also hosted a Kids Day Camp for children with Down syndrome ages 4-9. We went on field trips, did crafts and had a ton of fun!!

Family Movie Night
Every month, we bring our blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and teddy bears and get comfy for a Movie Night at our West Allis office! This month we watched (and sang and danced to) the 2014 version of Annie. Join us next month!!

Cooking with the Kiddos
Because of the Fourth of July Holiday, we didn't meet for cooking class on the first Wednesday of July. On the 18th, we made veggie pizza and yogurt parfaits! We even got to use fresh vegetables from our DSAW garden that our self-advocates planted at Bootcamp!! How cool! Cooking meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at our state office in West Allis. Come cook with us on August 1st, from 5-7 PM!

Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. This month we continued our music therapy program and also had a certified therapy pup come in for some good ole belly rubs! Playgroup runs from 9:30-11:30am, and we'll have music therapy from 10-10:45am. Music therapy will be available through August at no cost to your family! Sign up to join us!

Young Leaders Academy
Our Young Leaders Academy at our West Allis office meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. In May we launched Young Leaders on the Northside! They meet on the first and second Friday nights. Classes start off with an energetic game and end with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime. Come out to Young Leaders Academy in July in West Allis or in Fox Point!

Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month is always our favorite since we have Tween Club! This month we celebrated the FIFA World Cup with soccer games and activities. Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, August 10. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up to join us!

Summer Wellness Class
Our summer session of our Wellness Class also started is still going strong! The class is designed for adults with Down syndrome ages 18-30 and focuses on exercise, healthy nutrition, cooking, and overall wellness. It's held at our office on Mondays and Thursdays.

Thank you, Chris! We are SO sad to announce that July is the last month for our wonderful DSAW staff member, Chris Due. He is off to do great things and attend graduate school at Marquette University! We will miss you!

Sheboygan

Summer Picnic
This month we had our Summer Picnic at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac! Though the weather was not looking too promising in the morning, the skies cleared up just in time to put a smile on everyone's faces! We had great food, desserts, yard games and sack races with awesome prizes!

Above & Beyond Children's Museum Field Trip
In July, we took our monthly field trip to the Children's Museum for Special Needs Night! The exhibits were adapted, sound was turned low, and the museum was closed to the general public. Meet us in August for the next field trip!

All Abilities Dance Class
We have LOVED getting to showcase our dancin' feet at the All Abilities Dance Classes at In Motion dance studio!! We sadly only have one class left, but stay tuned for details on a potential second session! Thank you to Kim Casper and all the helpers at In Motion that have made this class possible!

La Crosse

NASA Boat Ride
Due to severe weather, we had to cancel our NASA boat ride on the 25th! But, fear not! We have another one just around the corner! Join us in August for our next ride.

Sandra Bartel Book Signing Sandra, author and loving sister of Joe, who has Down syndrome came out to Cabin Coffee on the 26th for a special, private book signing event! Joe and Sandra were both there to sign books and mingle!

Parent's Afternoon Out
This month, parents gathered at Vernon Vineyards for an afternoon of conversation. Meet us at Slice of Chicago in Sparta on August 25th for our next Parent's Night Out!

Green Bay

Splash Time Event
In July, we got together with families from both Green Bay and Sheboygan for a day at the pool! This was a private event hosted by the pool for individuals with special needs. Come out to the Manitowoc Family Aquatic center on August 11th for another special Splash Time!!

Playgroup
This months playgroup was held at CP Playground! Join us next month at Optimist Park. No RSVP required!

Day at The Beach
On the 22nd, DSAW families came together at the East Side Beach in Oconto Falls for a day of beach activities!

Mom's Night Out
We also had a Mom's Night Out at the Chatterhouse. We will not have our usual Mom's Night Out in August, but join us the same day at the Awareness Walk!

Central WI

Guy's Night Out

Dad's, brothers, uncles, grandpa's and other male caregivers gathered for a night out at Sconni's Alehouse. It was a great time full of food, drinks and conversation.

MADSS

Family Picnic
On the 15th, we got together at Badger Prairie Count Park for an afternoon of food and fun. Join us August 12th in Beloit for our upcoming Snappers Game Outing (tickets are only 2 DOLLARS!!!)

Rachel Reit

June 29, 2018

Looking Back on June 2018

Rachel Reit

June 29, 2018

Milwaukee

Brewers Outing
On Sunday, June 24, DSAW families got together at Miller Park for a tailgate party and Brewers game! We had lots of food and tailgate games and enjoyed a gorgeous sunny day outside! Unfortunately, the Brewers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, but that didn't stop us from having fun!! Come out to our next family event on Saturday, July 14! We're hosting a Down Home BBQ with GiGi's Milwaukee at our state office in West Allis. The BBQ will be complete with live music, professional family portraits, a splash zone, food, inflatables, yard games, crafts, and more! Sign up here.

Impact100 Grant!!!
On June 6, DSAW was awarded a $100,000 grant from Impact100 Greater Milwaukee! DSAW staff and families attended the awards celebration with 4 other incredible nonprofit organizations. We had a resource booth, and ED Dawn Nuoffer and self-advocate Andrew Gerbitz gave a compelling presentation! Members of Impact100 then voted, and the top 3 organizations were awarded $100,000 grants! We are so honored and thankful to them for their generosity. The funds will be used to purchase two 12-passenger vans to assist with transportation, in addition to a digital literacy curriculum to help teach technology skills to people with Down syndrome. Woohoo!

Toilet Training Seminar
Last month we also hosted a Toilet Training Seminar in partnership with the Down Syndrome Clinic at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Alice Belgrade, MS Ed., LCPC, BCBA, joined us to discuss specific strategies that are effective in toilet training kids with Down syndrome, health issues that complicate the process, and typical patterns.

DSAW Fun Day
On Thursday, June 21 we hosted our first DSAW Fun Day! Fun Days are a mini, one day respite day camp for people with Down syndrome ages 10-16. This month we took a trip to Helium Trampoline Park!! We got to jump on the trampolines, battle with inflatables, and party in the blacklight. Join us for one or all of our upcoming Fun Days on July 19, July 26, and August 9!

Tween Day Camp
During the week of June 11, we hosted our first EVER Tween Respite Day Camp! Individuals with Down syndrome ages 10-16 joined us for a jam-packed week of crafts, outdoor activities, field trips, and more. We cooked together, did yoga, celebrated National Kindness Day, made Father's Day gifts, and went to the zoo, Cool Waters, mini golfing, and bowling. What an incredible, exhausting week!! Kids with Down syndrome ages 4-9 can join us in July for our Kids Day Camp!

iCan Shine Bike Camp
We partnered with the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin to host an iCan Shine Bike Camp during the last week of June! The camp helps individuals with special needs learn to ride a two-wheeled bicycle independently. Such a fun week!

Circles Class
In June we continued to host our Circles class. The Circles program teaches students how relationships can be formed and maintained according to the social norms & social boundaries of our day and age. DSAW staff member Erin Miller teaches the class with her job coach. We're beginning a second session in July! If your child could benefit from learning about personal boundaries and relationships, register here!

Young Leaders Bootcamp
We spent this month at Bootcamp learning outdoor skills! We went hiking, learned how to set up a tent, did a nature scavenger hunt, and finished the month by building a campfire and making s'mores!

Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in July to get to know yourself and others better, make vision boards, and craft personal resolutions!

Cooking with the Kiddos
At our first session of Cooking in June we made chicken Caesar wraps, and at our second session we made summer pasta salad and mini cheesecakes! Cooking meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at our state office in West Allis. Sign up to cook with us on July 18! There will be no session on July 4th.

Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. In June, we began music therapy during our regular playgroup session. Playgroup runs from 9:30-11:30am, and we'll have music therapy from 10-10:45. Music therapy will be available through August at no cost to your family! Sign up to join us!

Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month is always our favorite since we have Tween Club! This month we celebrated the FIFA World Cup with soccer games and activities. Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, July 13. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up to join us!

Family Movie Night
Every fourth Friday of the month, we invite families to a movie night at our office in West Allis! Parents are invited to stay with their kids, or drop them off for a night of respite. In May we watched Paddington, and we loved it so much that in June we watched Paddington 2! Watch Annie with us on July 27 :)

Dementia 101 Webinar
In June we also launched our new webinar series focusing on Alzheimer's and Down syndrome. The first installment, Dementia 101, discussed the basics of dementia and the link between Alzheimer's and Down syndrome. You can watch the recording here! Thanks to Bader Philanthropies for funding this series.

Summer Wellness Class
Our summer session of our Wellness Class also started in June. The class is designed for adults with Down syndrome ages 18-30 and focuses on exercise, healthy nutrition, cooking, and overall wellness. It's held at our office on Mondays and Thursdays.

Sheboygan

Mini Golf Outing
DSAW-Sheboygan families got together at Harbor Pointe mini golf in Sheboygan on June 23. We had the first hour at the golf course to ourselves, and then we enjoyed donuts! We had so much fun at this event. Come out to Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac next month for our Summer Picnic!

Above & Beyond Children's Museum Field Trip
Again in June we went to the Children's Museum for Special Needs Night! The exhibits were adapted, sound was turned low, and the museum was closed to the general public. Meet us in July for this monthly playgroup!

All Abilities Dance Class
We are having so much FUN getting moving at our All Abilities Dance Class at In Motion Dance Studio! Dancers of all ages and experience came out to learn about proper stretching techniques and foundational dance moves. We still have 2 sessions left! Sign up today!

La Crosse

Family Speedway Event
On June 2nd DSAW-COTH-GLA families visited the La Crosse Speedway. It started out as a great evening!! The families who came were smiling and excited to enjoy a night of racing! Cooper and Katy were courageous enough to ride around the track in one of the race cars! Then, even before the races started, the rain came! And it sadly ended the night short. It certainly did not dampen the spirit I felt in the air and we will set a new date to recapture the feeling! Thank you to all who joined us!!

DSAW & WisCorps Nature for All Families The DSAW group and Autism Foundation are proud to partner with Nature For All Families. Nature For All Families is sponsored by WisCorps and takes place at Myrick Park in the WisCorps building. So far there have been two sessions. Each session focuses on a certain animal type (for example, bugs). You learn about that animal type through fun snacks, crafts, and outdoor activities. Families of all abilities are welcome! Amazing teachers\helpers plan fun activities and teach everybody interesting facts about the animal and plant life around Myrick Park. Even parents learn new things! One mom even said she felt like she learned more than her kids! The entirety of Nature For All Families is filled with hands on activities. About half of the time is spent outdoors spending time observing the world around us. Some of the time is also spent reading about nature in fun books. Snack time is also fun! Even if your child doesn't like to eat, they can still make an animal feature out of their food. When the two hours of fun time ends, you leave with a nature activity packet to continue learning at home! Nature For All Families is an awesome, hands on learning time that all families will enjoy!
Thanks to Elizabeth Matz for writing this article!

Loggers Game Family Night Out & Fundraiser
We went to a La Crosse Loggers game on June 24! Half of all of our tickets sales came back to our chapter, so not only was it an awesome Family Night Out, we also raised money for DSAW! Haley Hellerud event got to represent DSAW and throw out the first pitch at the game!

Green Bay

Playgroup
In June we had our monthly playgroup at Optimist Park in Allouez, and it was opening day for the Miracle League! We have playgroup every first Saturday of the month at 9am. Join us on July 7 at CP! No RSVP required.

Brat Fry Fundraiser
Thanks to Festival Foods and our incredible volunteers, DSAW-Green Bay was able to raise over $400 at a Brat Fry Fundraiser on June 10!! DSAW families helped cook and serve food. It was a busy day, but totally worth it!

Strider Bike Camp
During the week of June 11, we hosted a Strider Bike Camp to help pave the way for children to ride a bike independently in the future. We had some AMAZING volunteers who made this week possible. Thank you to the staff at LaForce and to our other volunteers! Check out the photos in the Green Bay Press Gazette!

Mom's Night Out
We also had our biggest Mom's Night Out ever at Luigi's Pizza Palace this month!! Moms, grandmas, and female caregivers enjoyed a casual night of yummy food, drinks, and time together! Join us for our next MNO on July 22!

Central WI

Zoo and Cupcakes Event
In June, families in Central Wisconsin went to Marshfield to visit the Wildwood Zoo! We had a great day with the animals, and after the zoo, we headed over to Cupcakes on 8th for a snack! The bakery is owned by a mom and her son with Down syndrome. Such a fun event!

Parent's Coffee Date
We had a coffee date for all parents on June 20! Moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers came together for coffee and casual conversation at Vino Latte in Weston.

North Central WI

Family Picnic
Families in North Central Wisconsin came together in Antigo for a summer picnic on June 24! They enjoyed a fun afternoon with a wading pool/splash bad, playground, and food! Everyone brought something to share, and we had a beautiful day together.

Chippewa Valley

Trapshoot Event
On Father's Day, DSAW-Chippewa Valley families and their dads, brothers, and grandpas went to Westgate for a fun afternoon of archery! They also had lemonade and cookies!

MADSS

Dad's Night Out
Dads, grandpas, and male caregivers in the Madison area got together at Buffalo Wild Wings for food and to watch the Brewers game! Join us for an upcoming event in the MADSS coverage area! We have a picnic on Sunday, July 15 at Badger Prairie County Park!

Abbey Nicholas

June 18, 2018

An Interview with Gnat and Corky, Author/Illustrator Team of Addison the Light Catcher

Abbey Nicholas

June 18, 2018

DSAW had a chance to sit down author Courtney Kotlowski and artist Natalie Sorrentino (aka Gnat & Corky), who interview real kids and create stories that capture their spirits. They talked with Addison and her brother Asher, who has Down syndrome, and realized that their story needed to be told! Addison the Light Catcher is a story about love, admiration, and the special bond between siblings. It sheds light on the power of advocacy and the magic inside everyone. Read on to check out our interview with Gnat and Corky!

How did your book series come about?

It started as a blog where children could answer Gnat & Corky’s questions. We would create a story and watercolor illustration based on the spirit of the kids. The response was overwhelming and the stories are so universal that we thought a book series would be something special to share. This has been a nearly 3-year process and we are so happy to be published by Orange Hat Publishing in Waukesha.

What is Addison the Light Catcher about?

It’s a story about love, advocacy and the special bond between siblings. Addison is her brother Asher’s biggest fan and advocate. She is a “light catcher” for all children with Down syndrome and special needs. The story is a fictional one about Addison’s “super-duper light catcher” that she made when her brother was born to share his light with the world. She tries to capture his light, but the light is scared, nervous and shy. The light eventually surrenders and she throws it up into the sky where it becomes a star/light for all the world to see and love.

What do you want people to take away from reading Addison the Light Catcher?

That there is light inside of everyone. That it should be found, shared and honored. We are all light catchers for each other in this world.

Define Light Catcher:

A person who sees the beauty, joy, potential and light in others and shares it with the world.

What age(s) are your books targeted for?

All people of all ages. Really they are universal stories that are meant to be read to the little ones, treasured by the older ones and shared and spread by the oldest. Our books transcend age.

How do you come up with the stories?

They come from interviewing the kids and letting their spirit shine. I never want to place the story on the child, I want it to come to me in the middle of the night when something they said ignites a universal message that needs to be shared. Each story is built from the soul of the child.

What is your process?

Children submit their answers at www.gnatandcorky.comwe read all submissions and then Courtney interviews the child. Once the story is drafted, Courtney hands it over to Natalie who paints a watercolor illustration. Our books are a much longer process because each story is now multiple pages with multiple illustrations. It’s literally soul work and sometimes the magic is there and sometimes you have to wait for it to spark up again.

How do you work so collaboratively together?

We have a very respectful and playful relationship. We are connected on another level. There is complete trust and awe on both sides. We don’t question each other’s talent- we embrace and honor it and from that we have created literally hundreds of pieces! We are constantly creating things. We are both living/doing our passion and it’s just a joy to see it come together and have people respond as they have. We also laugh a lot and talk nearly every day.

What are some of the other things Gnat and Corky have in store?

We have a Gnat & Corky Snippet book that is full of feel good sayings, poems, quips, and advice and The Answer Book that is a collection of all the answers from the submissions we’ve gotten over the years.

What is the message you are trying to spread/send with The Gnat & Corky Series?
Empathy, joy and acceptance. Everyone has a story. We all have a spirit and a purpose for being here. Our hope is that this collection, when put together, starts to paint a story of how similar our differences can make us when we’re all tied together. We hope people treasure these books forever.

What are some of the other titles/books and what subjects do they cover?
The first four are Addison the Light Catcher, Ken the Keeper, Will It, and From Malena with Love

Ken the Keeper comes from the spirit of a boy who started a no-kill animal shelter in the Philippines. This story is about tending and caring for the helpless and brining compassion forward to help all living things thrive.

Will It is a story about living life to the fullest, without fear or regret- William, is a teenage who is nearly blind, but that doesn’t stop him from doing anything. The message is be brave and try, which is the spirit that Will exudes.

From Malena with Love is a story about brining color back into the world after it goes gray- it asks the reader how they would bring love back if it went away- Malena decides to write love notes to everything in the world and by doing so, the color starts to come back. Malena is Natalie’s daughter and her interview was all about love and color and brining joy to people’s lives. Her spirit is loving and joyful.

How can kids submit their answers to Gnat & Corky’s questions?

Visit www.gnatandcorky.comand answers our questions.

Where can fans/readers find you?

You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @gnatandcorky or contact Orange Hat Publishing to schedule a visit or reading at www.orangehatpublishing.com