321Foundation
  • About
    • A Letter from Our President
    • What We Believe
    • History
    • Board of Directors & Executive Team
    • Teaching Team
    • Contact
  • Education
    • Overview
    • Learning Program Boston
    • Educational Consulting
    • Education Resources
  • Cognition
    • Overview
    • Research Monitoring
    • Ignition Program™
    • Statement on the Use of Human Biological Material
    • Cognition Resources
  • Advocacy
    • Overview
    • Advocacy Resources
  • News
  • Support Us
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Emotional Father’s Day Video Celebrates Dads of Kids With Down Syndrome

Health, In the Media

From abcnews.go.com

Just in time for Father’s Day, a new video celebrates the dads of kids with Down syndrome — and the mutual love between parent and child.

The video was created by the Jerome Lejeune Foundation, a research and advocacy group that last year released the viral hit, “Dear Future Mom.” This year, the group decided to focus on dads.

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/emotional-fathers-day-video-celebrates-dads-kids-syndrome/story?id=31885062

 

June 20, 2015/0 Comments/by Other
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/WATCH-Emotional-Fathers-Day-Video.png 324 633 Other https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Other2015-06-20 17:33:412015-06-20 22:01:31Emotional Father’s Day Video Celebrates Dads of Kids With Down Syndrome

Pre-natal testing for Down syndrome: Why bother?

Advocacy, Our Blog

The following piece appeared in the Spring 2015 edition of Down Syndrome World magazine.

History shows that when pre-natal tests for conditions that cannot be treated in the womb are introduced, termination of these pregnancies increase.  Down syndrome is no exception.  25 years ago when amniocentesis was the only definitive test for Down syndrome, researchers calculated a 20% abortion rate.[1]  Over the last two decades, however, as new tests were introduced the abortion rate skyrocketed.  The most recent published study on this reports that between 2006-2010, there were ~5,300 babies with Down syndrome born and  ~3,100 selective abortions performed in the U.S. annually, concluding that the rate of live births of babies with Down syndrome was approximately 30% lower than it would be without prenatal testing.[2]  Clearly, advances in prenatal testing since the 1970s have been followed by increased selective abortions for Down syndrome.

In 2011 Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) tests for Down syndrome were introduced.  These are deeply troubling as we can only expect further increases in the abortion rate.  While we know that some parents legitimately use prenatal testing to prepare, the stark reality is that it is usually used to detect, then abort, pregnancies testing positive for an extra 21st chromosome.  Such pre-natal tests move us closer to eliminating entire sub-populations.

Every individual has unique value, no matter what his or her capabilities.  Since there was nothing positive we could do about the results, we declined pre-natal testing for Down syndrome in both of our pregnancies.  While we were initially devastated when our first-born was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, we soon learned to appreciate our son’s many gifts.  Evan has an unparalleled “joie de vie” (love for life)- an attitude we could all learn from.  He also has taught us that “imperfection” is what makes us all human.  Such a lesson no pre-natal test can predict.

[1] Egan et. al., “Demographic differences in Down syndrome live births from 1989 to 2006”, Prenatal Diagnosis, 31 (2011)

[2] de Graaf et. al., “Estimate for the live births, natural losses and elective terminations with Down syndrome in the United States.”, American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A 167A (2015)

June 19, 2015/0 Comments/by Julie and Chris Messina
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Unknown.jpeg 126 348 Julie and Chris Messina https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Julie and Chris Messina2015-06-19 10:00:292015-06-20 02:32:00Pre-natal testing for Down syndrome: Why bother?

Help Your Children Avoid Regression Over the Summer

Education, In the Media

From Susan M. Brefach, Ed. D. | Making School Work For Your Child

I can hear the sighs of relief everywhere as the school year winds to a close. Parents are exhausted from a year of vigilance and practice, driving and waiting. Teachers have given everything they have to their classes, and hope they are ready to move on. Advocates and psychologists like myself are looking forward to a break from leaving the house at 5:30 AM to be at a 7 AM school observation, or from multiple school meetings in a single day, plus a stack of IEPs to analyze at night.

And the kids…your kids are counting the hours to what they see as “freedom”—time off, fewer tasks to complete, no spelling lists or math tests, no book reports and sitting still for hours. You can’t really blame them. They’ve been putting out energy since September.

http://www.susanbrefach.com/blog/help-children-avoid-regression-over-summer/

June 17, 2015/0 Comments/by Other
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Flip_Flops_Web.png 266 720 Other https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Other2015-06-17 22:18:082015-06-20 22:34:33Help Your Children Avoid Regression Over the Summer

Your Legislative Advocacy Makes a Difference

Advocacy, Our Blog

I attended the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) Legislative Advocacy Day on June 4 mainly because two bills in the Legislature are important to me and should be important to all of us with family members who have Down syndrome. The first bill is House Bill 1064/Senate Bill 672 which is an act to create higher education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Massachusetts’ Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment (ICE) program gives 18-22 year old students with disabilities, who have not passed MCAS, higher education opportunities in an inclusive college setting. Despite the proven success of the program and greatly increased demand, the ICE program is extremely limited, and year after year, underfunded.

Why is this so important? Because research shows that being in an inclusive setting is one of the highest predictors of becoming a contributing, participating member of society as an adult. My son, Christopher, is now at Easton Middle School and is included in the general education classes about 60% of the time. He has been in an inclusive setting since Kindergarten and I want to see this continue throughout his entire education. What sense does it make to be in an inclusive setting through 12th grade, and then be in an exclusionary setting as he’s reaching adulthood? He ought to be able to access the same higher-ed opportunities and activities as his same-aged peers, with modifications and supports. My vision is for him to continue his education in an inclusive setting after high school so that he is best prepared to live as an independent adult in his community. Ideally, he would attend Bridgewater State University which participates in the ICE program.

The Legislature’s Task Force on College Inclusion for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism issued a report in April 2014 recommending expanding inclusive higher education opportunities over 5 years throughout the Commonwealth’s 29 public institutions of higher education. H1064/S672 expands ICE’s grant program, supporting partnerships between high schools and public institutions of higher education in order to include more students. Post-secondary education may seem like a far way into the future, but we need to start advocating now if we want our children to have access to post-secondary education.

The other bill that is important to me is House Bill 3271, an act concerning nondiscrimination access to organ transplantation. This is part of a state by state legislative effort to prohibit discrimination against anyone with an intellectual, developmental or psychiatric disability from receiving an organ transplant. The most common reason for deciding against an organ transplant for a patient with a disability is the misconception that people with disabilities, especially those with intellectual, developmental or psychiatric disabilities are unable to manage complicated post-operative treatment plans and that, as a result, people with disabilities are less likely to benefit from the transplant. Also, providers may incorrectly assume that people with disabilities have a lower quality of life than people without disabilities and they would not benefit as much from life-saving transplants. I would not want to have my son in the position of needing a transplant, and having to fight against discriminatory practices. More than 20 legislators have signed on to this bill already – has yours?

Lastly, you should know that the Legislature has provided a small amount of funding to the MDSC for the past three years and I am hoping that the funding continues in this year’s budget. This funding has been essential to MDSC to advocate for full, meaningful lives for individuals with Down syndrome across the state, directly paying for programs and services that provide hope to new and expectant parents, training to medical professionals and students, best practices to educators, and meaningful opportunities for teens and adults. We all benefit from the MDSC, perhaps indirectly, but I remind you that MDSC also supports the Learning Program Boston. Funding is not included currently in the Senate budget, so it is important that it be included as the deliberations between the House and Senate progress. Funding is contained in Line Item 5911-1003 in the House budget.

It is not too late to reach out to your State Representative and Senator about these items, or any others that are important to you! For more information about these bills, go to MDSC Make a Difference page. To find your legislators and contact information, go to the Massachusetts Legislature’s website. You can also search for these bills and find out whether your legislator supports them.

June 11, 2015/0 Comments/by Pamela Booth
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/College.png 1223 2754 Pamela Booth https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Pamela Booth2015-06-11 14:56:342015-06-11 15:13:41Your Legislative Advocacy Makes a Difference

FOX25’s Heather Hegedus at Down Syndrome Awareness Rally

Advocacy, In the Media

From FOX25 Boston

Watch FOX25’s Heather Hegedus at the Down Syndrome Awareness Day held by Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) at the Massachusetts State House on June 4, 2015.

Learn more about how you can help lobby for critical funding and policies priorities for people with disabilities.

 

June 8, 2015/0 Comments/by Other
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MA_State_House.png 426 992 Other https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Other2015-06-08 23:15:272015-06-10 02:27:51FOX25’s Heather Hegedus at Down Syndrome Awareness Rally

2nd Annual MDSC Advocacy Day at the State House

Advocacy, In the Media

From Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) 

If you didn’t make it to our Advocacy Day last week, no worries… To maximize the impact of the hundreds of people on the Hill, we’re making it easy for your to Take Action THIS WEEK to support laws and funding that allow all people with Down syndrome to have opportunities to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Here’s all you have to do:
1) Get the contact information for your State Representative and State Senator.
2) Call their office or send an email 
3) Ask them to support our top Legislative Priorities by using this Sample Script
4) See below for other ways to reach out and make a difference

Please help… it will take just a few moments of your time. Follow these easy steps.

June 8, 2015/0 Comments/by Other
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MDSC_Logo_lg.jpg 209 352 Other https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Other2015-06-08 23:04:412015-06-10 02:29:162nd Annual MDSC Advocacy Day at the State House

MGH Aspire : College Boot Camp

Advocacy, In the Media

From Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) | Aspire

College Boot Camp helps college bound high school seniors and young adults transition into college. Learn what is like to be in a college setting and how to use strategies to succeed in college life.

Read more at: http://www.massgeneral.org/children/aspire/services/summer-adult-boot-camp.aspx

 

June 8, 2015/0 Comments/by Other
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Book.jpg 446 1008 Other https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Other2015-06-08 22:55:192015-06-10 02:30:18MGH Aspire : College Boot Camp

Using the Wondertime Clock to Teach the Sense of Time

Education, Our Blog

Cognitive Connections LLP – Here is a short video by Sarah Ward, Executive Function expert, showing you how to make a WonderTime Clock to teach young children the passage of time and to increase their awareness of time.

 

June 8, 2015/0 Comments/by Other
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Clock.png 483 1024 Other https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Other2015-06-08 22:35:592015-06-17 18:58:57Using the Wondertime Clock to Teach the Sense of Time

Somerville High School pair brought together through sports

Advocacy, In the Media

From Wicked Local | Somerville

Football brings Isaiah Lombardo and Wilbens Vincent together, when it’s not putting them at friendly odds. After Vincent teased Lombardo at Somerville High School’s Class Day about beating him at the Madden football video game, Lombardo struck back at the Highlander cornerback’s performance on the field.

Read more at: http://somerville.wickedlocal.com/article/20150605/NEWS/150608361/?Start=1

 

June 6, 2015/0 Comments/by Other
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Graduation_Cap.jpg 423 1029 Other https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Other2015-06-06 17:50:082015-06-10 02:31:07Somerville High School pair brought together through sports

Giving Students With Disabilities a Career Opportunity

Advocacy, In the Media

From Education Week | Full Frame

For many students with disabilities, leaving high school means an abrupt end to the supports that they and their families have come to rely on. Project SEARCH, a nationwide partnership between school districts and local employers, seeks to ease that transition by placing students in job-training opportunities, often in hospitals and government offices. Education Week reporter Christina Samuels and photographer Lexey Swall report on a program in Manassas, Va., for the 2015 Diplomas Count special report that examines life after high school for students with disabilities.

Read more at: http://fullframe.edweek.org/2015/06/04/giving-students-with-disabilities-a-career-opportunity/

June 4, 2015/0 Comments/by Other
https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/hospital.png 457 984 Other https://321foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-21_Foundation_Logo.png Other2015-06-04 23:40:542015-06-10 02:24:50Giving Students With Disabilities a Career Opportunity
Page 1 of 212
3-21 Foundation

Categories

  • Advocacy
  • Cognition
  • Education
  • Featured
  • Health
  • In the Media
  • Our Blog

Archives

  • June 2022
  • February 2022
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • March 2017
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014

Copyright 2023 © 3-21 Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.

  • Facebook

Site designed and managed by Body1

Scroll to top