First Call Training for New Parents

First Call Training


Do you remember what it felt like when your child first received the diagnosis of Down syndrome? Do you want to be there for new parents to let them know that everything is going to be okay? That having a child with down syndrome may just turn into on of the best things that ever happened to their family? if that is you, please join down syndrome Indiana at its First Call training on Saturday February 7, 2015 from 9:00am to 12:00Noon.  When you complete the training. you will be ready to be the First call that new parents make when you receive the diagnosis. To RSVP for this truly life enhancing training, please email register@dsindiana.org by February 1st


Get to know DSI Services: First Call
DSI's First Call program connects new parents to a parent that has already walked in their shoes and is trained in empathetic listening, as well as, the resources DSI has to offer. Here are a few examples of what First call can offer:


Meet a new parent that has a prenatal diagnosis? what have a match for you.


Speak Spanish? We have a match


live in Fishers? we have a match


Southside?  we have match


Want to Cry and just have someone listen without judgment? we have a match


Want a Parent to meet you at your first DSI event so you are not alone? we have a match


 Want to have dinner with a family and a casual conversation?  We have got you covered


If you are a new parent and would like to get connected to a first call parent, please contact the DSI Office at 317-925-7617 or email at Info@dsindiana.org

ABLE Passes Senate

                                                         NDSC Governmental Affairs Newsline

                                                                          December 17, 2014

                                                                        ABLE PASSES SENATE

Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) -- a victory for grass-roots advocacy for parents and people with disabilities. NDSC has worked for eight years with our partners in the disability community and with you, our members, to get this bill passed. If you were with us in Washington, DC in 2012, you'll remember the excitement of our appointments on Capitol Hill and the impact those visits made.

 

The ABLE Act allows for savings accounts for individuals with disabilities for certain expenses, like education, housing, and transportation, without jeopardizing certain important federal benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. The funds saved in these accounts, if managed correctly, can be another tool in planning for the lifetime support needs of an individual with disabilities. Up to $14,000 a year can be put in an ABLE account, with a cap of $100,000.

 

The bill must now be signed by the President to become law. Once the law is implemented in each state, the ABLE Act will make the following possible:

1.    Enable people with disabilities or family members to put up to $14,000 per year in the account, up to $100,000 total amount.

2.    ABLE accounts could generally be rolled over only into another ABLE account for the same individual or into an ABLE account for a sibling who is also an eligible individual.

3.    The funds must be spent on qualified expenses related to the individual's disability, such as health, education, housing, transportation, training, assistive technology, personal support, and related services and expenses.

 

Sadly, the man who conceived and worked tirelessly to pass the legislation, Steve Beck of Burke, Virginia, died suddenly last week. Steve was 44 years old and the parent of two daughters, including Natalie who has Down syndrome. Steve, along with a group of parents around his kitchen table, conceived the idea of a savings account for his daughter, similar to the 529 account used for college savings.  This was a story he told repeatedly in his presentations at the NDSC convention over the past eight years. The passage of this Act is a wonderful tribute to the memory of Steve Beck.

 

NDSC's Governmental Affairs Director, Susan Goodman said, "This is an excellent start to the hard work we must do to ensure that people with Down syndrome have the long-term supports and services they need to live and work as independently as possible. It's a first step - not the end of the journey."

 

As the process to open accounts for our family members with Down syndrome develops, we will keep our members informed as to next steps. 

 

 

 

 

 

NDSC Governmental Affairs Newsline

               December 17, 2014

                                                                        ABLE PASSES SENATE

 

Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) -- a victory for grass-roots advocacy for parents and people with disabilities. NDSC has worked for eight years with our partners in the disability community and with you, our members, to get this bill passed. If you were with us in Washington, DC in 2012, you'll remember the excitement of our appointments on Capitol Hill and the impact those visits made.

The ABLE Act allows for savings accounts for individuals with disabilities for certain expenses, like education, housing, and transportation, without jeopardizing certain important federal benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. The funds saved in these accounts, if managed correctly, can be another tool in planning for the lifetime support needs of an individual with disabilities. Up to $14,000 a year can be put in an ABLE account, with a cap of $100,000.

The bill must now be signed by the President to become law. Once the law is implemented in each state, the ABLE Act will make the following possible:

1.    Enable people with disabilities or family members to put up to $14,000 per year in the account, up to $100,000 total amount.

2.    ABLE accounts could generally be rolled over only into another ABLE account for the same individual or into an ABLE account for a sibling who is also an eligible individual.

3.    The funds must be spent on qualified expenses related to the individual's disability, such as health, education, housing, transportation, training, assistive technology, personal support, and related services and expenses.

 Sadly, the man who conceived and worked tirelessly to pass the legislation, Steve Beck of Burke, Virginia, died suddenly last week. Steve was 44 years old and the parent of two daughters, including Natalie who has Down syndrome. Steve, along with a group of parents around his kitchen table, conceived the idea of a savings account for his daughter, similar to the 529 account used for college savings.  This was a story he told repeatedly in his presentations at the NDSC convention over the past eight years. The passage of this Act is a wonderful tribute to the memory of Steve Beck.

 DSC's Governmental Affairs Director, Susan Goodman said, "This is an excellent start to the hard work we must do to ensure that people with Down syndrome have the long-term supports and services they need to live and work as independently as possible. It's a first step - not the end of the journey."

 As the process to open accounts for our family members with Down syndrome develops, we will keep our members informed as to next steps. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bleed Blue Blood Drive

Bleed Blue Blood Drive

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014
8 A.M. – 4 P.M.
LUCAS OIL STADIUM

The Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Blood Center would like to invite you to Indiana’s largest single-day blood drive - our annual Bleed Blue Blood Drive and Health Fair, supported by ADVANTAGE Health Solutions and WTHR Channel 13.
The 15th annual Bleed Blue Blood Drive and Health Fair is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. Similar to previous years, the 2014 blood drive will include a free health fair and other family-friendly activities to create an informative and fun experience for all who attend. There will be opportunities to tour the field, chances to win prizes, and appearances by Colts Cheerleaders and Blue, the official mascot of the Colts.

To make an appointment to donate blood, click here or call Indiana Blood Center at 1-800-632-4722.

For more information about blood donation guidelines, as well as a complete list of blood center locations and hours, please visit www.indianablood.org/bleedblue.

EVENT MAP

To download a map of the event layout and parking, click here.

PARKING
Free parking is available throughout the day for blood drive and health fair attendees in the South Lot (enter at Gate 8).
EVENT ENTRANCE
All attendees for the blood drive and health fair must enter the stadium through the Southeast corner gate and doors (off Capitol Ave.).
EVENT TIMELINE

• 8 a.m. - Doors open for the 2014 Bleed Blue Blood Drive and Health Fair, Health Fair Begins
                   Special appearances by Colts Alumni Players, Cheerleaders, Blue the Mascot throughout the day
• 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Open Field Activities
• 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Field Visits
• 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. PLAY 60 Zone Open
• 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Register to Win Tickets
• 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Colts Pro Shop Open
• 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Cheerleaders, Alumni and Blue Autographs
• 3:00 p.m. - Health Fair Ends
• 4:00 p.m. – Blood Drive Closes

EVENT ACTIVITIES (all activities are free and open to the public)

• Appearances by Blue and the Colts Cheerleaders
• Half-Price Concessions
• Face Painting
• Register-to-win Colts tickets
• Colts give-a-ways
• Photo Booth
• Access to the field
• Colts Inflatables
• Health fair and screenings
• Colts Super Bowl Trophy
• Rx Drug Take Back Event - Safe Disposal of Unwanted Medications. For more information, click here.

CHILDCARE (for blood donors only)
Free child care will be available for all blood drive participants while they’re donating.
The 2014 Bleed Blue Blood Drive and Health Fair is presented in part by ADVANTAGE Health Solutions and supported by Indiana University Health and Walgreens.



     B

Thanksgiving

  

Thanksgiving is around the corner! giving thanks is a great feeling. I am thankful for My parents, My sister Casey and My brother in law Nick Aunt/Godmother of My Niece Kimberly, My brother Michael, My four legged Nieces Kenya and Molly ( My dog) Sofie, My Grandpa and grandma Green, My Grandma and Grandpa Smith. As you can see I have a pretty big family!! My favorite part of thanksgiving is good food and being together, Thanksgiving is a time to spend with your family and friends.

If you would like to share (What you are thankful for) You can contact me at: SelfAdvocates05@gmail.com  or  DSI Office 708 E. Michigan Street Indianapolis Indiana 46202

  

Take Care

Jessica Green

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Game Night

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and bingo:

November 19^th from 6pm – 10pm

Held at the DSI office 708 E. Michigan St. Indianapolis, IN 46202

There will be FREE bingo and dinner for all who’ve donated time with Down Syndrome Indiana in 2014.We’re so thankful for all the hard work you’ve put in to Down Syndrome Indiana this year! We could not have hosted the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention without the 3,412.25 volunteer hours over the 4 days of the convention. Thank you thank you!  Due to limited space in our venue, we can only accept the first 100 RSVP’s to the event. In order to RSVP, either register online Or call 317-925-7617 or email register@dsindiana.org with the number of those who are coming! 

Dinner will start at 6pm, and Bingo will begin at 8pm til 10pm. There will be FREE Sun King beer for those 21 and older. 

Bingo prizes have been donated by local businesses such as Crew Carwash, Arnie’s Restaurant, Sun King Brewery, and more!

 

 

In Service,

 

Alyssa Ludlow

Volunteer Coordinator

Down Syndrome Indiana

alyssa@dsindiana.org

(317)931-9843

 

Produce: Where Hope Grows

Produce: Where Hope Grows Inspiring film, featuring a local actor with Down syndrome, to be showcased in the 2014 Heartland Film Festival.
Down Syndrome Indiana is very excited to share that "Produce: Where Hope Grows", a film starring David DeSanctis, a young man with Down syndrome from Louisville, Kentucky, has been selected to be a part of the Heartland Film Festival this year! Please click here to watch the trailer.
There will be a Celebrity "Meet & Greet" with Produce star, David DeSanctis, and film director, Milan Chakroborty with Attic Light Films, to discuss the film and its positive effect on the Down syndrome community.
The event will be today, Monday, October 20th from 4-5pm at the new Castleton location for Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, 4225 E. 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN. The group will then transit to the Castleton theatre (6020 E. 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN) for a group viewing of the film, Produce. For more information, please contact Alyssa Ludlow at Alyssa@dsindiana.org or call 317-925-7617 .
"Produce" follows the story of Calvin, a professional baseball player sent to early retirement due to
his panic attacks at the plate. He struggles with the curveball life has thrown him but is invigorated when he meets a young man with Down syndrome (DeSanctis) that works at the local grocery store. Their lives become intertwined, and as their friendship develops, Calvin begins to see the world through Produce's eyes and improve his own outlook on life. Theatre dates and show times are listed below.

Monday, October 20 - 5:30pm at AMC Castleton Square Theatre Wednesday,
October 22 - 12:45pm at AMC Castleton Square Theatre Friday,
October 24 - 3:15pm at AMC Castleton Square Theatre

Help us celebrate Down syndrome Awareness month by entering the code: DSI when purchasing any Heartland Film Festival ticket. To purchase tickets to the Heartland Film Festival, please click here. Down Syndrome Indiana is partnering with the Heartland Film Festival through the "$2Back Ticket Program" in which $2.00 from the sale of movie tickets (both online and from the box office). This promo code is applicable to tickets from all 150 featured films shown October 16th through the 25th as a part of the 23rd Annual Heartland Film Festival.

About Down Syndrome Indiana
Down Syndrome Indiana is a not-for-profit organization serving the needs of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, their mission is to serve as a conduit of information, support and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, which promotes growth and inclusion in the community. The programs and services provided by Down Syndrome Indiana are supported by individual and corporate donations combined with annual fund raisers and special events.
You are receiving this email because you have previously contributed to Down Syndrome Indiana as an event participant, donor, sponsor, vendor or volunteer. If you have received this email in error, or do not wish to receive any more emails from Down Syndrome Indiana, you can unsubscribe by sending an email to: register@dsindiana.org. This email is CAN-SPAM compliant,

you may contact us via postal mail at:
Down Syndrome Indiana, 708 E. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,

Lisa Wells Executive Director
708 E. Michigan Street,
Indianapolis, IN 46202
 317-925-7617 Office
 317-313-9615 Cell
 317-925-7619 Fax
lisa@dsindiana.org

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We've had a lot of people say to us, "Awareness Month? It's 2014! We don't need awareness month! What we need is Down syndrome inclusion month! Or acceptance month! Or advocacy month!"
October is Down syndrome Awareness Month Based on the calls and emails we get here at our National Center, we would say all of the above are still needed pretty desperately.From the new mom who has just gotten a diagnosis...well, she "knows" what Down syndrome is...but really, she has no idea what it means or what to expect.Or the grandfather who calls and says his daughter is expecting a baby with Down syndrome, and that "this is the worst thing that has ever happened to our family". Or the educator who tells the parents of a seven year old, "Those expectations for your child are unrealistic. Don't you understand that he has Down syndrome?"
Or the doctor who counsels his patients to end a pregnancy to avoid the "suffering and heartache". Yes, all those things still happen in 2014 America. We sure are glad all of these people (and others like them) reached out to us, so we could help them work through their questions and concerns. There is plenty of room for awareness, acceptance, inclusion and advocacy all year long - not just in October. But you've got to admit it's kind of nice to have a month to hang your hat on...to really get out there and say the words "We're More Alike Than Different".
October is a time for local fundraising walks and photos on the Capitol steps with your election officials. But EVERY DAY is a great day to truly live the "awareness / acceptance / inclusion / advocacy" message.
When those who are unfamiliar with Down syndrome see our children out on the soccer field, in the dance recital and in school performances, they are seeing them as capable. When self advocates are seen performing their jobs in coffee shops and grocery stores and hospitals, they are proving to the world that they have abilities and that they contribute to Society
Keep doing what you're doing! Let others see your family doing everyday family things - going to ballgames, movies, picnics, restaurants. Praise their accomplishments, highlight their abilities, talk about the joy your child brings to your family and those whose lives are touched by his. Help the people in your community see your child as a person first, a person with Down syndrome second. There is a wonderful opportunity for awareness, acceptance, inclusion and advocacy every day when you walk out your front door! But in October? You can be more "aware" that you are doing it. What Else Should We Do in October?