Welcome to the first edition of the Down Syndrome Support Newsletter!

Not only will this newsletter keep you up-to-date with events in the Southwest Chicago Suburbs, but it is also a way to keep in touch with what is new with our kids.

If you have a story, event or happening, email it to info@dssupport.net and we can inculde it in the next edition.

Hope everyone is having a pleasant winter and remember spring is just around the corner!
Jennifer
aka 'Brandon's Mom'

Upcoming Meeting

Saturday March 15, 2003
We will meet at the Sharon Methodist Church at 10 am-12 noon
Coffee for New Parents
Informal play date FOR ALL AGES following the meeting at Plainfield McDonalds, located at 170 S. Division (Hwy 59 at Renwick Road). See you there!

Upcoming Events

2nd Annual Bowl-A-Thon benefiting the Special Olympics
May 3, 2003
Town and Country Lanes on Jefferson in Joliet
Cost $25.00 per person and this includes four games of bowling, shoe rental, drink ticket and dinner
For more information email Wendy ildteacher@hotmail.com

NADS Annual Meeting
May 16, 2003
Lutheran General Hospital's Johnson Auditorium in Park Ridge, IL

Know of an event or other news? Email info@dssupport.net for inclusion in the next newsletter.

A Devine Meeting
written by Colleen Holmes
I wanted so much to go to the NADS bowlathon, but we were running late. When we arrived, the bowling was over but I still wanted to walk around with my daughter and mingle with familiar faces. I saw all our staffer friends from NADS and they were busily taring down booths and packing up. As Elizabeth and I walked past a sweet little girl, wrapped in pink, I noticed that she had an NG tube tapped to her check. Boy, did that bring back memories for me when my Elizabeth had heart surgery almost four and a half years ago....we wrestled with the same tube for quite some time too. When we approached the family to introduce ourselves, they all three smiled back at us, the mom, dad and sweet baby. All three held out their hands in warmth and we talked for a long time sharing the wonders of our kids. My heart was thrilled to meet this new family, (although not new to the area), and their sweetpea also had heart surgery. They said they just wanted to come out and see what it was all about. Elizabeth was all over that baby...she just can't get enough her. We exchanged names and numbers and will get together in the future with this family I'm sure. The funny thing is, I wanted to see who would have won the tickets to Barney that we donated to NADS for the raffle. When I said something to the staffer walking past, my new friend said "WE WON THE TICKETS!". Now you tell me how this could have happend? The only family at the bowlathon I even approached to meet, the only time we had was a moment at the very end of the bowlathon when most families had packed it up...huh? This was a divine moment, a planned meeting, a blessing and the beginning of a new and wonder friendship sharing love for our kids and all the blessings that they bring into our lives. Hello sweet Elana...greetings to you from Elizabeth!

New Links added
Below are links that were recently added to the web site:

Ability Online
Connecting kids with special needs for friendship and support

Band of Angels
has been publishing calendars and cards featuring children and young adults with Down syndrome since 1995.

West Suburban Support Group
Support group for the Chicago West Suburbs

Down Syndrome Development Counsel
Down Syndrome Development Counsel, Grayslake, IL

Western DuPage Special Recreation Association
Fun stuff for your kids to do.

Member Events

And he's OFF!!
This week Cole took his first solo steps. We are all so proud of you Cole!

Elizabeth, at age 5 years old, has lost her front two teeth (on the bottom)! This is one of those life events, as was her potty training, that calls for celebration! It was kinda wierd how both of them started to loosen, only to find out that her two permanent teeth were pushing them out.
The doctor finally yanked out the old to make room for the new. I was thinking she would be about 8 years old when she'd be loosing teeth but goes to show that everything you read isn't necessarily what happens... and every child is different. Elizabeth shows everyone she comes in contact with her new teeth, on the bottom!

Has your little one made a great accomplishment? If so, let us know. Email your event to info@dssupport.net for inclusion in the next newsletter.

A baby is God's opinion that life should go on.

-Carl Sandburg

See You at

the Meeting!!!