Welcome to this edition of the Down Syndrome Support Newsletter!

"Real generosity toward the future consists in giving all to what is present" -- Albert Camus

We wanted to reminded everyone that the next meeting is coming up May 17. Colleen has lined up 2 great speakers this week! Dr. Lainna Callentine, MD, and Lydia Faber, MSW, will be speaking, see below for their topics. See you there!

Hope you are enjoying your spring.
Jennifer
aka 'Brandon's Mom'

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

Upcoming Meeting

Saturday May 17, 2003
We will meet at the Sharon Methodist Church from 10 am-12 noon

--Preview of support group websites from around Chicagoland.

--Speaker: Dr. Lainna Callentine, MD, - Dr. Callentine is Staff Pediatrician at Erie Family Health Center West Town, Chicago, Illinois, a non-for-profit health center caring for an undeserved predominantly Spanish-speaking population, and Clinical Instructor on staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Children's Memorial Hospital. Dr. Callentine will discuss the importance of:

• The Role of the Pediatrician and Medical Anticipatory Guidance-"building strong bridges with your Pediatrician".
• The Medical Home Initiative and Title 5
• Advocacy: being a strong advocate "on and off the court", medically and socially speaking

  Dr. Callentine is a former classroom teacher and holds a Masters in elementary ed....which gives her tremendous insight into the process of establishing student IEPs (Individualized Educational Plans) and the requirements of special needs in the classroom.

--Speaker:Lydia Faber, MSW, the Medial Social Consultant for Univ of Chicago, Division of Specialized Care for Children. Lydia will discuss:

• "care coordination"...what does this mean?
• some financial support offered by their organization

Upcoming Events

2nd Annual Bowl-A-Thon benefiting the Special Olympics
May 17, 2003, 9pm
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 mail Wendy ildteacher@hotmail.com

NADS Annual Meeting
May 16, 2003
Johnson Auditorium, 1875 Dempster Street, Park Ridge, IL

Buddy Walk
Check out www.dssupport.net/buddywalk/ for upcoming information about the Chicago Area Buddy walk taking place on October 11, 2003 at Central Park in Oakbrook.

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

Early Intervention Parents As Leaders
EIPALS is administered by UCP of Greater Chicago

What is EIPALS?

• The Early Intervention Parents As Leaders program will identify, train and support 100 new Parent Leaders whose children are receiving EI services, or have exited the EI system within six months of their application
• A team of 10 Parent Facilitators, whose children also have special needs and who at one time received EI services, will support the Parent Leaders.
• Parent Leaders in collaboration with the Regional Parent Facilitators, grant coordinators, and other key stakeholders will develop and implement outcomes
  and strategies to improve EI services for young children and their families.
• Parent Leaders will become advocates through membership and leadership in local, state and national groups that impact EI services.

Who are the Parent Leaders?

• PARENT LEADERS are parents, caregivers whose children are receiving EI services, or whose children have exited the EI system within the last six months.
• PARENT LEADERS are parents, caregivers who want to make a difference in the programs and policies serving their children and children in the future.
• PARENT LEADERS are parents, caregivers who want to collaborate with a Parent Facilitator and other parents in their area.
• PARENT LEADERS are parents, caregivers who will work with parents and other groups across the state in developing and implementing a plan to improve EI services in Illinois.

WHAT are the goals for EIPALS?

• Encourage and support parent in The EI system.
• Identify,train and support 100 new Parent Leaders across the state.
• Promote parent and provider collaboration to foster system development and change.
• Assist parents in learning about topics such as assitive technology, services, laws and policies, medical issues and transition.
• Link families to topic-based discussions via chat rooms through a web site and other resources.How to reach EIPALS

If you are interested in being part of the Parents As Leaders program or would like more information about the initiative please contact: Ted Burke or Joan Debelak at UCP of Greater Chicago, 7550 W. 183rd Street, Tinley Park, Illinois 60477. Phone: 708 444-8460, ext. 41, toll free: 866-509-3867, or e-mail:jpklondike@aol.com

Member Events

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.

Memorial
The Bonnie McBeth Learning Center will hold a memorial for our sweet friend Christopher Booth. Christopher's early death last summer was a shock to us all but we know he is in heaven now. Friends had donated a tree in his memory at the school and there will be a celebration ceremony to remember the love Christopher brought to us all. There ceremony will be held during the last week of school (date/time to be determined).

We want to thank the Booth family for allowing us to continue holding our support group meetings in the Sharon Methodist Church in Plainfield. Rev. Doug Booth and wife Chris, daughters Kim and Jesseye and grandson Micah are wonderful, loving people...they support our continued efforts in the SW Suburban Support Group for families who have loved ones with Down syndrome.

Recommended Books

Common Threads: Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome is an essay and photographic celebration of inspirational accomplishments of people of all ages with Down syndrome. Throughout the book there is a common thread -- the thread of belief. For anyone who has wondered if he or she has been unrealistic or set goals too high, this is a must-read. Written by Brian Skotko and Cynthia Kidder with photography by well-known children's photographer Kendra Dew.

Angel Behind the Rocking Chair: Stories of Hope in Unexpected Places by Pamela W. Vredevelt After the loss of her first baby and the birth of a fourth child with Down Syndrome, Pam Vredevelt felt that she had fallen from God's grasp. As she was soon to discover, however, God was just beginning to hold her tight and lead the way out of her endless pit of despair. With humor and touching insight, Pam unveils her struggle to emerge from darkness into the light in this paperback release of her popular work. Many have been touched by the same anguish; Pam shares their stories and how the supernatural touch of God sustained them through the darkest days of life.

See You at

the Meeting!!!