Welcome to this edition of the DS Support Newsletter!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! It's hard to believe it's almost over and fall will be here before we know it. Our August event is a great way to hold on to a little more summer. Grab the family and head with us to the DuPage Dragons game. It will be a great way to get together with the family and to spread some awareness. Be sure to wear your Buddy Walk shirt, and to cheer when they mention our name during the game. If you need a t-shirt let us know, there are a few left from last years walk.

Jennifer
AKA Brandon and Ella's Mom

August Outing

DS Support Buddy Walk DuPage Dragons Outing Date: August 3rd Doors open at 6pm, game time is 7pm Where: Benedictine Sports Complex Cost: $6 per person $2 from every ticket sold will go to the Buddy Walk See the top College baseball players from around the area play this summer. Come out and play in our new Moon Jump, catch a foul ball, run the bases and get autographs after the game. Meet our players and our Mascot Dinger. In order to take advantage of the fundraiser, tickets must be paid for in advance by Aug 2nd. Complete this form then fax to 708.784-1468, call 630-241-2255, or mail to: Dupage Dragons, Attn: DS Support Buddy Walk Outing, PO Box 3076, Lisle, IL 60532

Thank You to Angela Schnobel for putting together a great presentation in April on using sign language with your child!

YOUNG ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES: ENTER A NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBIT
VSA arts, with support from Volkswagen of America, is seeking entries for "Destination Anywhere," a national juried exhibit for artists ages 16-25 who have physical, cognitive, or mental disabilities. Art must be an original work that has been completed in the last three years. Both representational and abstract works are welcomed. Eligible media include paintings and drawings, fine art prints, photography, computer-generated prints, and two-dimensional mixed media. The program will award 15 prizes ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. Entry deadline: July 14, 2006. http://www.vsarts.org/prebuilt/showcase/gallery/exhibits/vw/2006/

Stanford's Down Syndrome Breakthrough
By Heather Ishimaru
reprinted from abc.com

July 6 - KGO - There is new hope for families of children with Down Syndrome. Medical researchers from Stanford University have discovered a gene critical for learning and memory.

Seven-year-old Amy White borrowed our ABC7 microphone to sing one of her favorite songs, the Happy Birthday song. It's not her birthday, but it is a day worth celebrating.

Scientists have made a breakthrough that could help Down Syndrome children like Amy. A team led by Stanford neurologist William Mobley have found a single gene critical to learning and memory.Therapy targeting that gene could improve Amy's ability to learn, and the same therapy could reduce the effects of early-onset Alzheimers, a common disease among Down Syndrome adults.

Dr. William Mobley, MD, Ph.D.: "It gives a little bit of light, hope... along that will help them."

A generation ago, it was unlikely Amy would outlive her parents -- now that's changed. Her mother, Patty O'Brien-White hopes research like this will help give Amy more tools for an independent life, making her less vulnerable once her parents are gone.

O'Brien-White co-founded a Down Syndrome research foundation when she discovered there was so little research and treatment available.

Patty O'Brien-White, mother: "We've been really trying to get the word out... in our lifetime."

O'Brien-White says she's not trying to change Amy, but make her more of who she is. Amy's older sister Brigid sees the possibility of treatment as a mixed bag.

Brigid White, sister: "I love Amy how she is... teach differently."
Dr. Mobley says historically, Down Syndrome research has been neglected in part because it seemed a hopeless challenge. He and O'Brien hope this marks the beginning of a new era.

For more information about O'Brien-White's foundation and the research it supports, click here.

2006 Chicago Area Calendar

GiGi's Playhouse Golf Outing
Monday July 31, 2006
Royal Hawk Country Club
St. Charles, IL
www.gigisplayhouse.com

DS Support 4th Annual
Buddy Walk
Sunday Oct 8, 2006
1 pm
Walker Park • Burr Ridge
www.dssupport.net/buddywalk


NADS Conference
Rosemont
November 4, 2006
www.nads.org

National Events

34th NDSC National Convention
July 21-23, 2006
Atlanta
www.ndsccenter.org/

9th World Down Syndrome Congress
August 22-26, 2006
Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre
www.wdsc2006.com/

TIMES SQUARE PHOTO CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT
See yourself on the big screen! NDSS is accepting photo submissions for the Times Square Video Photo Contest. The Times Square Video will air prior to the 2006 New York City Buddy Walk on September 17th (shown in New York City's Times Square on the NBC Astrovision screen by Panasonic). The video kicks off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and features photos of over 250 children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome working, playing, and learning with family and friends. To submit a photo online, please visit the Buddy Walk website at http://www.buddywalk.org/ or fill out the attached form and mail photos to: National Down Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. No more than three photos per family will be accepted. Deadline is July 21.