Meet a DSAW Leader: Lauren

Hello, my name is Lauren Dewey and I am the new Chapter Relations and Marketing Coordinator at the DSAW State Headquarters! I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2015 with a BA in Communication and shortly after moved to the Milwaukee area. The last two years I was the merchandising assistant of fitness apparel for an e-commerce company. While I enjoyed the merchandising field, I didn’t feel it’s what I was meant to do. That’s what brought me to the nonprofit sector! I started the graduate program in Nonprofit Management and Leadership through the Helen Bader Institute at UW-Milwaukee this past fall. I strived to really connect with people, be fulfilled, and have an impact on society. Hence how I ended up at DSAW! In the short amount of time I’ve been here, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many amazing, driven people all working towards the same goals. It’s truly inspiring and has sparked so much passion in me. 

When I’m not buried in textbooks, I’m usually enjoying my time with my three dogs Alfie, Bama, and Cannoli, whether it be hiking or snuggling on the couch. Otherwise you can find me at a country music concert or exploring new food spots in Milwaukee with my fiancé, Kurtis. I also currently serve on the board of Friends of MADACC, the nonprofit that serves Milwaukee’s local animal control and adoption facility, MADACC. I’ve continued to pursue my passion of merchandising to raise awareness and funds for our animals by maintaining and growing the inventory of FOM merchandise and apparel.  

I am so thankful DSAW came into my life. Working with people with Down syndrome and the hard working, dedicated employees and board members has truly brought joy and fulfillment into my life. DSAW’s mission has resonated with me and inspires me every single day. That being said, if you’re interested in joining an existing chapter or creating a new chapter in your community, please reach out to me at lauren@dsaw.org! 

Looking Back on December 2018

Milwaukee

Family Movie Event We kicked off December with a sensory-friendly, private screening of the newest release of The Grinch! Family! Families got to enjoy the movie with the sound played lower and lights on brighter.

Holiday Party
We had such a great time at the Southeastern WI Holiday Party this month! Santa and his elf made their way down from the North Pole to visit the kiddos! We enjoyed a variety of games, ornament crafts, cookie decorating, food from Pizzeria Scotty, dancing, and contests! This party attracted almost 350 members of the DSAW family!

Relationships Class
We just wrapped up a course on relationships for individuals with special needs. They talked about personal boundaries, dating, self-defense, stranger danger, and safety. We will be hosting another session starting on January 12! Learn more here.

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

Young Leaders Bootcamp
This month at Bootcamp we learned about holidays around the world, how are they celebrated, how they are different, and why each one is unique and special!

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! Kids 8+ are welcome to join us next month! This month we had breakfast for dinner and made pancakes!

Self-Advocate Packer & Holiday Party Self-advocates joined us for a Packer & Holiday Party at the State office on December 16. We had gifts, a bloody mary bar, and lots of cheering! Thank you to the self-advocates who came out to help us celebrate and cheer on the Packers!

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!

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.

Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month, DSAW transforms into a hoppin' place for tweens to hang out! This month we did holiday activities, made jingle bell necklaces, and had snacks! Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, January 11th. 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, January 11th!

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Central Wisconsin

Holiday Party
We had our Holiday Party at the wonderful Moose Lodge earlier this month. Guests brought yummy potluck dishes and Santa stopped by! We are very thankful for the generous donations made by Texas Roadhouse and the Rib Mountain Dollar Tree! Also, thank you to the awesome UWSP Speech/Communication students for volunteering their time. We hope you all had as much fun as we did!

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!

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La Crosse

Holiday Party
We had such an amazing time at this year’s Holiday Party at the Black River Beach House! We made crafts, played games, and even visited with Santa! Thank you to all of the families who joined us and to everyone who helped plan and execute this event!! Happy Holidays! :)

Parent’s Night Out
Our Parent’s Night Out this month was at TimeOut tavern in La Crescent! Parents, grandparents, caregivers, and adult siblings had a casual evening of conversation and free appetizers!

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Green Bay

Holiday Movie Event
Families joined us to watch Smalfoot at the De Pere Cinema on Saturday, December 15! We had a great turnout and enjoyed watching with our DSAW-Green Bay families!

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MADSS

Holiday Cookie Decorating Party
We had another busy month in December! We started off the month with a Holiday Cookie Decorating Party. Thank you to the Schuster Family for graciously opening up their home for this celebration of the holiday season!

Family Holiday Movie
This month, we watched The Nutcracker and the Four Realms at the Marcus Palace Cinema in Sun Prairie! It was a great time for all of the families. Santa and his elves were even there to say hello!

Mom’s Take 5
MADSS also has a Mom’s Night Out on the 5th of every month! This month, moms enjoyed cookies that were decorated at the Holiday Cookie Decorating Party!

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Fox Cities

Teen FrienDS Club
Our Teen FrienDS Club is held at the DSAW-Fox Cities Office on the second Friday of each month from 6:30-9:30pm during the months of September-May. The club is for teens with Down syndrome ages 13-19. If your teen is interested in joining, please contact Maria SteenPorte at maria@dsawfoxcities.org.

Santa Celebration
DSAW-Fox Cities teamed up with WisconSibs for a Santa Celebration at the Grand Meridian in Appleton. Families visited with Santa, played holiday games, made gifts, decorated cookies, and enjoyed sweet breakfast treats!

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Sheboygan

Parent’s Night Out In December, we met at the 8th Street Ale Haus in Sheboygan! Parents, caregivers, and adult siblings joined us for an evening of good food and conversation. We discussed 2019 and had a ton of fun. Thanks to everyone who joined us!

Children’s Museum Night DSAW families joined us for a field trip to Above & Beyond Children's Museum in Sheboygan! Every second Monday of the month from 5-7pm, the children's museum hosts a Special Needs Night. The museum is closed to the general public, sound is turned off on loud exhibits, there is a craft/activity, and a local vendor offers frozen yogurt.

Holiday Party DSAW-Sheboygan families celebrated the holidays together at our Holiday Party! This year’s party took place at the Odyssey Fun Center in Sheboygan Falls. We had pizza, cookie decorating, music and bowling! Santa stopped by to pay us a visit as well!

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Chippewa Valley

Holiday Party

We had a great time at our holiday party this month! We had so many generous contributions this year! Thank you to Westgate Sportsman Club for donating their wonderful space, Scheel’s for donating fishing poles for gifts, and Big Stack Meats supplying smoked pulled pork. Also a huge thanks to Santa and Mrs. Clause as well as MMC Eau Claire Hospital for donating gifts! We could not have done all of this without the planning committee members. The kiddos enjoyed crafts, games, and other holiday activities!

Meet a DSAW Leader: Scott

On April 6th of 2018, my wife and I received the hardest news that we had ever received as a couple; our unborn child was diagnosed with Down syndrome.  We were on vacation with our 2 year old visiting relatives in Texas when we received the call and we were in total disbelief. WOW, what a blow! 

Hello, my name is Scott Erickson and I have recently joined the DSAW Chippewa Valley Advisory Board.  My amazing wife Becky and I are blessed with two beautiful and healthy girls, Korina (2+) and Gwyn (4 mos).  We enjoy the simple things in life like being outdoors, visiting with friends and family, and spending time at the cabin.  I am a commercial relationship manager (lender) at Security Financial Bank and my wife is a supply technician at Marshfield Clinic/Hospital, both in Eau Claire.

Our story is much like what you have experienced personally or know of someone who did: the stages of unanswered questions, the emotional highs and lows, the uncertainty, the self-pity, (regrettably) the regret, and a feeling like you are on an island by yourself…BUT in the end, you experience a happiness that cannot fully be explained!

My wife brought the DSAW-Chippewa Valley Walk to my attention shortly after Gwyn was born.  I’m not a “lets join a group” kind of person but felt it might be good for me see what it is all about.  Simply put, it was fantastic!  The raffles, food, entertainment were all good, but the camaraderie and acceptance was over the top.  We met new friends, found some old ones, and it really helped me realize that we are not on an island at all!  I really want to help pass the DSAW “welcome” along to all that have been given this special blessing.

DSAW-Central Wisconsin

When you make a gift to the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, you help to fund fraternal support and resources for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. In the past two years, DSAW has expanded into new areas of the state, providing support and services for families who previously had none. 

When Miriam, whose daughter Laurel has Down syndrome, moved to Wausau, she found herself "missing my fraternal support group in Indiana. It wasn't easy to connect with, or even find, other families with a loved one with DS. I knew we needed a network in the central part of the state."

Miriam approached DSAW's state office in late 2016 to see how she could get things started in her community. State staff assisted her in planning events like a playgroup and lunch for families, a Mom's Coffee Date, and a World Down Syndrome Day event in 2017. In just a few months, DSAW went from having nothing in Central Wisconsin, to hosting events almost every month. 

Miriam continued to be instrumental in DSAW's growth: "Hearing families comment on how nice it was to have opportunities for connecting was deeply gratifying. We kept adding monthly events along with regular coffee times and the group continued to spark interest and growth." By mid-2017, "We had families driving an hour for our gatherings. We began offering social interactions in other cities too (Stevens Point, Marshfield, Antigo)." From Miriam's initial spark and help from other local leaders, the DSAW-Central WI chapter was born. 

In early 2018, planning began for the first DSAW-Central WI Awareness Walk that would allow DSAW to raise even more awareness in Wausau and surrounding communities and to fundraise for future programs and events. People from across Central WI helped to plan the Walk, which took place on September 29, 2018. 

Everyone's favorite part of the day was the 21 Showcase! Individuals with Down syndrome got to walk the red carpet in front of their friends and family. Miriam recalls that "Hearing a little snippet of what each person (baby to adult) enjoys about their valuable and precious life and then seeing the contagious smiles brought on the tears! With about 400 people in attendance, we celebrated the precious gifts in our lives and appreciated the support we are blessed to have here in Central Wisconsin." 

Two short years ago, DSAW had nothing available in Central Wisconsin. Now we offer regular events in Wausau, Stevens Point, and Antigo, we hosted our first Awareness Walk in the area, and we're planning some incredible programs for 2019! All it took was one mom to stand up and say that she wanted to connect with other families. If you're unsure what's available in your area, click here to find support near you. If DSAW does not yet provide coverage in your area, contact Rachel to learn more about how to bring events and services to your families!

When you support DSAW, you bring our resources and our incredible community to families who need us. You facilitate our expansion into areas of the state where families who have a loved one with Down syndrome have nowhere else to go. Will you think of DSAW in your year-end giving?

6 Tips for Parents and Siblings

By: Brett Braza, DSAW Marketing Intern

Raising a child with Down syndrome may present you with new and diverse challenges.  Specifically, it might require a huge adjustment for the siblings of your child with Down syndrome. This blog posts gives three pieces of advice for parents regarding their typically-developing children and three pieces of advice for siblings of individuals with Down syndrome. 

3 Tips for Parents

1)    Explain The Situation

Make sure to sit down with your child and explain the situation of how having a child with Down syndrome might require more attention. Define what Down syndrome is and how it affects your child as a big brother or sister. Acknowledge that just because they have Down syndrome does not mean their sibling should be treated any less or are not capable to do anything their heart desires

2)    Spend Time With All of Your Children!

Since all children are unique and have varying levels of individual needs, it is difficult to balance the time evenly between them. Instead, we recommend you make it a point to spend time with each of your children on a daily basis. Children with Down syndrome may require more attention, but devoting special time to their siblings will help the others feel valued.

It is important to pay attention and track the mood changes of your children. A new addition to the family can cause huge influxes in emotion. Acknowledge their feelings and ask how they are personally feeling about this new adjustment. If signs of depression or a heightened level of anxiety emerge, make sure to provide your child with help or resources available as soon as possible.

3)    Do Not Give Your Other Children Too Many Responsibilities

Although sometimes it may be nice to have an extra hand to help you out in caring for your child with Down syndrome, it is recommended you do not push for older siblings to carry too many responsibilities. Giving your child special tasks involving the new sibling, however, may lead to quick acceptance.

3 Tips for Siblings of Individuals With Down Syndrome

1)    Be Patient

At first, it might be a huge change to add a new brother or sister to your family. An individual with Down syndrome may require more attention right away and that’s okay. There might be a shift in attention towards the new baby, but that does not mean your parents or anyone else loves you any less. Additionally, your sibling might have a harder time learning how to read or walk, but that does not make them any less. As an older sibling, be patient, because this new sibling will look up to you for all you do.

2)    Be Understanding

Down syndrome does not define a person. In fact, a sibling with Down syndrome is more alike than different.  They have hobbies and interests, just like you! They like to laugh and play. Although they might have Down syndrome, you should know they are capable of so much, and they will exceed expectations in incredible ways. Make sure to cheer them on along the way!

3)    Let Them Love You And Love Them Back

Having a sibling with Down syndrome is not a bad thing or something to be embarrassed about—you should know that by gaining a sibling with Down syndrome, you are gaining a friend who will provide unconditional love and happiness. They care so much about you and want to know everything about you—they just want to be your friend!

A new sibling in the family can be challenging for any young kid. Hopefully these tips can provide guidelines or at least provoke ideas about how to handle a similar scenario!

Information gathered from the following resources:

https://www.ndss.org/resources/caring-for-your-family/.

https://themighty.com/2014/11/things-you-understand-when-your-sibling-has-down-syndrome/

Grandparents Support Group

You've heard about our Parent's First Call program for new and expectant parents, our programs for individuals with Down syndrome who are aging, and our resources for transition-aged individuals learning to advocate for themselves. Did you know that DSAW also has resources for grandparents?

Grandparents are important members of the family, and they too seek support when a grandchild is diagnosed with Down syndrome. After learning that their grandson James has Down syndrome, Jim and Robbie became very involved with DSAW.

Both Jim and Robbie have volunteered with DSAW for several years. Jim serves on the State Board and acts as the Medical Outreach Committee Chair. They also help at events and lead DSAW's Grandparents Support Group out of our state headquarters.

The group "provides opportunities for our grandparents to ask questions, learn from each other, and just have others to talk with and share emotions." The Grandparents Group often hosts guest speakers and self advocates who demonstrate what life might look like for the members' grandchildren. Jim notices that much like the parents, "Many of our new grandparents come in scared, uncertain, and worried about the future, but they are soon able to reverse roles and provide encouragement and support to the next round of new members."

Everyone's favorite part of each meeting is the beginning; they start by sharing pictures of their grandchildren. What grandparent doesn't enjoy showing off pictures of their little ones? Our Grandparents Group started with 4-5 members a short time ago, and now it has grown to a membership of 16!

Jim and Robbie truly feel that "the DSAW Grandparent Support Group is a valuable resource for all new and prospective grandparents of children with Down syndrome. Grandparents are a vital part of a family's support system, and this group helps to strengthen the bond between generations!"

If you're in the Milwaukee area, join us for Grandparents Group on the first Tuesday of the month at 4pm! Our next meeting is February 5 as we will break to celebrate the New Year. If you are in another area of the state and would like to start a Grandparents Group, contact Rachel to learn how easy it is to get one going!

When you support DSAW, you are allowing grandparents the opportunity to connect, learn, and find reassurance. You are providing a network for family members who may have difficulty finding one elsewhere.
Please consider DSAW in your year-end giving. By donating today, you can give others the community that Jim and Robbie have helped to create at DSAW's Grandparents Group.

Warmly,
Dawn Nuoffer
Executive Director
Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin

PS - Will you make a year-end gift to support our vital work? We couldn't do it without you! 

Meet a DSAW Leader: Marita

My name is Marita Stannis and I am the President of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter’s Advisory Board.  I have been in this role since the chapter was created in 2013, and prior to that I was the Secretary on the State Board for about 3 years.

I am the Environmental, Health and Safety Manager at Caterpillar.  I love my job because I work with employees to ensure their safety on the job.  My husband Kevin and I have been married for 12 years.  He works for a software company and travels internationally quite often.  We have 2 children- Madelyn (Maddy) who is almost 10 and Oliver who is 3.

I received Maddy’s Down syndrome diagnosis prenatally, and it wasn’t a good experience for us.  We were told all the bad things that can come with Down syndrome but none of the good.  After she was born we joined DSAW and what a life changer that was!  The resources and knowledge that they have has been amazing! I wanted to be involved in helping ensure other families didn’t have the same experience we did, so I joined the Board.

I am so blessed to have DSAW in my life. I have made some of my best friends here.  Sharing our triumphs with each other and guiding one another through challenges makes our bond so strong! 

When there’s spare time you will find me in the kitchen cooking!  I have loved to cook most of my life and have great mentors, something I am hoping to pass down to my kids!  I also enjoy spending time with family and friends and reading. 

Support Parents Beth and Kevin

Happy Giving Tuesday! Today is the day we give back to our communities. To show you the impact that your generosity has on families, we'd like to introduce you to Beth and Kevin. 

"When we received our diagnosis, we were so scared, so worried, and we didn't know where to initially go for answers. Heck, we didn't even know what questions to ask. It didn't help that both the preliminary and confirmed diagnosis of Down syndrome were delivered in an entirely negative way."

Because of their experience, Beth and Kevin decided to become Support Parents through our Parent's First Call program and partnership with Parent to Parent of Wisconsin. Knowing what it's like to feel scared and alone, they wanted to be there for families who didn't know where to go. They wanted to provide other parents "that freedom to cry, to laugh, to vent, to be scared, but without any judgement." After a one day training, Beth and Kevin were ready to be matched with parents looking for resources and support. They are thankful they "get to pay it forward" and "feel it is an absolute honor to be able to be Support Parents."

The Parent's First Call Support Parent program not only benefits new parents, but it has a huge impact on the Support Parents too. At the training, Beth and Kevin learned that "grief will come in waves, at different points in both our and the child's life. We need to give ourselves permission for these feelings. Going through this training and learning this, it was only then that I was able to finally forgive myself for feeling so angry, so sad.. and to give myself permission when those feelings come up at different points now."

After their training, Beth and Kevin were matched with Stacey and Chad. They first "met" over the phone, but when they met for the first time in person at a DSAW Parent's Night Out, Beth and Kevin "really felt like we were seeing people we'd known our entire lives." Beth remembers seeing them come in and running to give Stacey a hug. They became fast friends, and now Beth and Kevin "can't imagine our lives without Chad, Stacey, Timothy and Anthony in it!" They share stories of their experiences and their struggles, and both couples know that they can count on each other for support.

When you support DSAW, you are supporting lifelong friendships created through our Parent's First Call program. You are giving scared and uncertain parents the opportunity to connect with people who have walked in their shoes. 

Today is Giving Tuesday. By donating today, you can give others the gift of comfort and community that Beth, Kevin, Stacey, and Chad found in DSAW.

Warmly,

Dawn Nuoffer
Executive Director
Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin

PS - DSAW relies on your generosity to provide support, programs, and services for our friends with Down syndrome and their families! Make a difference today by donating to DSAW.

Looking Back on November 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!

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.

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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

Down Syndrome & Alzheimer's

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!

Medical College of Wisconsin Partnership

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!

Looking Back on October 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!

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 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!

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 chicken pot pie muffins. 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. 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!

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, November 9!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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 :)

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Meet a DSAW Leader: Amy

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.

Taking Children with Special Needs to the Dentist

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

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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. 

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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!

Looking Back on September 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!

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 was no different! Join us next month!!

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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!!

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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!

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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!!

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Down Syndrome Awareness Walk makes Onalaska a little more tropical