Welcome to this edition of the Down Syndrome Support Newsletter!

All I can say is wow! We had a great turn out for the 2nd Annual DS Support Buddy Walk. There were over 500 in attendance and we raised over $40,000! This money will be put to good use and distributed to NDSS, NADS, West Suburban Parent Support Group, DS Support, GiGi’s Playhouse, and a special fund to bring a second GiGi’s Playhouse to the southwest suburbs. It was great to see how large the Down syndrome community is and to meet other families. Hope to see everyone again next year!!

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

Southwest Activity Center to open soon!
We are moving along with the plans for the southwest area GiGi's Playhouse. If all goes well the facility will open in Spring of 2005!!

We are in need of volunteers and committee members to help run activities at the playhouse. Please email Rebecca at rboms@msn.com if you are interested.

The 2005 Down Syndrome Calendars are available now. Price is only $10 and the proceeds go to the GiGi's fund. These make great holiday gifts for teachers and therapists!! Please email info@dssupport.net to orders yours today.

The Presidential Candidates and Disability Issues
Where do presidential candidates George Bush and John Kerry stand on disability issues? With the 2004 election fast-approaching, we encourage you and your members to learn about each candidate's track record and plans. The following links detail both candidate's positions on disability issues:

President George W. Bush:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/freedominitiative.html

Senator John Kerry:
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/awd/aapd.html

"Adopt-A-Mouse" to raise money for Down Syndrome research
Kids Helping Kids
By: Teresa Cody
A group of student’s at Gateway Repertory School (Texas) have a friend named Erin that has a brother, Neal, with Down Syndrome. “Our classmate Erin has a little brother with Down syndrome and we decided to make a difference in his life and others”, said Stephen Hurdle. The group of kids know a treatment for Down Syndrome is a new idea, as a result of their genetic studies at school and learning from scientists at Stanford University. To assist the studies at Stanford the group decided to dedicate their time to raise funds for Down Syndrome research by selling stuffed mice via the Adopt-A-Mouse Campaign (www.adoptamouse.com). These mice represent Down Syndrome mice used in research hence; the price of $21 a mouse was created to correlate with the typical 21st chromosome present in individuals with Down Syndrome.

The group’s goal is to sell 30,000 mice to support the spectacular research program started at Stanford University (www.dsresearch.stanford.edu). With your help these students will raise enough money to fund research to develop a treatment plan for Down Syndrome.

Gene technology has burst upon the medical scene like a whirlwind and it is ready to solve problems that could not be unraveled any other way. This has happened so fast that many haven’t realized the enormity of the impact it can play on individuals with Down Syndrome. The kids believe it is possible. With today’s technology, it is a matter of time and money. Please help us spread the word and go to www.adoptamouse.com for more information.