We celebrate our friends with Down syndrome all year long, but March is especially important to our community because of World Down Syndrome Day on 3/21! The DSAW Chapters spent the month prepping for various World Down Syndrome Day celebrations, both online and in-person, while our regular DSAW Connects programming continued. DSAW also recognized our important supporters virtually throughout the month.
Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day… Virtually
Like all holidays, celebrations, and events, WDSD looked different this year. DSAW adapted our programming to virtual formats to make celebrating World Down Syndrome Day possible for everyone in our community. All you needed was an internet connection to get in on the 3/21 fun!
Celebrating on Social Media
DSAW invited our friends and followers online to post pictures on social media of their loved ones with Down syndrome. We encouraged people to use the hashtag #EXTRAordinary321 to highlight how their loved one exceeds expectations. DSAW also created its own Facebook frame so people could raise awareness about WDSD online.
DSAW’s Digital WDSD Party
Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day, DSAW and MADSS families logged on to Zoom for a Virtual WDSD Party! Participants played a Kahoot and answered some DS trivia. The event ended with a virtual dance party!
Check out our next Virtual Family Night on April 15th!
World Down Syndrome Day Celebrations Across the State
DSAW- Central WI
DSAW- Central WI had an amazing time celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with GiGi's Playhouse Wausau on 3/21! DJ Andrew Patterson was taking song requests and he brought a bubble machine. Participants danced, enjoyed the nice weather, and ate delicious snacks and treats.
Thank you to all who attended and to the volunteers who made sure this event ran smoothly and safely! Thank you to ACE Kids Club for providing crafts and activities, Rachel Roelse and her family for sharing cupcakes and a WDSD cake, Texas Roadhouse Wausau, and Andrew Patterson/ DJ Buffet for his DJ services!
DSAW- Fox Cities
DSAW- Fox Cities had a GORGEOUS day for their WDSD Drive-Thru Event. The chapter leaders had a wonderful time seeing familiar faces and absolutely loved meeting some new families and welcoming them to the DSAW- FC family!
DSAW- Green Bay
DSAW- Green Bay enjoyed a very sunny World Down Syndrome Day on 3/21! The chapter had perfect weather to distribute goodie bags full of local treats outside. Thank you to the following businesses for contributing items for the goodie bags:
Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream - Green Bay
And thank you Faith Lutheran Church Green Bay for letting us use your parking lot!
DSAW- La Crosse
La Crosse families had a blast at the DSAW- La Crosse WDSD Outdoor Party. Participants gathered outside for a picnic lunch and to pick up their one-of-a-kind World Down Syndrome Day posters. The whole community enjoyed seeing friends after these long months indoors. Already looking forward to WDSD 2022!
DSAW- Southeastern WI
DSAW- Southeastern WI had an EXTRAordinary time at their World Down Syndrome Day Drive-Thru & Celebration on 3/21! Chapter leaders and participants were so happy to gather in a socially distant way and celebrate their friends and loved ones with Down syndrome.
Thank you to all the families that stopped by and to our wonderful volunteers who helped the event run smoothly and safely.
DSAW- Sheboygan
Thank you to everyone who signed up to receive a World Down Syndrome Day goodie bag from DSAW- Sheboygan! We hope you had an EXTRAordinary day celebrating your loved ones with Down syndrome. We had a blast packaging up these swag bags and giving them to our community.
30th Anniversary Extrava-Gala Awards
As part of our World Down Syndrome Day celebration, DSAW recognized the awardees that we intended to celebrate at our 30th Anniversary Extrava-Gala! Throughout the month, we sent out emails with information about our wonderful partners who helped to shape DSAW into what we are today. You can watch the awardee videos and learn more about them below!
DSAW Webinar:
On March 24th, DSAW hosted a webinar that featured Dr. David Stein called “Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome: The respond but don’t react method.” Dr. David Stein is the founder of New England Neurodevelopment, LLC, a pediatric psychology practice in the greater Boston area of Massachusetts (www.NENeurodevelopment.com). He is also the author of the book Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome: The Respond, but Don't React Method (Woodbine House, 2016).
This webinar covered the basic neuroscience of Down syndrome and how it informs effective behavior management. It presented practical strategies for use in the home and school settings from childhood through transition to adulthood. Watch the recording of the webinar here.
Health & Wellness Pop Up Class
Towards the end of March, DSAW hosted a health & wellness pop-up class that featured two guest speakers: a licensed dietician & a personal trainer. The first half of the class focused on being active! Participants swapped tips for exercising and being healthy right at home.
The second half of class was about eating healthy. The class learned about eating foods that are a variety of colors, learned about healthy cooking, and got a few recipes. The class also visually saw how much sugar is in one bottle of Coke. Everyone was shocked!
If you’d like to sign up for Pop Up classes, 30 additional units will be added to your plan. These are fun classes and events that will “pop up” during January- June. You can pick and choose which ones you’d like to attend! DSAW Instructors will turn to YOU for class ideas and actives! Questions about Pop Up Classes? Contact Mary, Adult Services Manager.
DSAW Connects During March
Read on to see what our virtual classes have been up to!
Sports Talk
In our Sports Talk class, instructors work with self-advocates to help them co- lead the class and lesson plan! A participant, Sam, gave a powerpoint presentation about his favorite athletes and talked about his job experience working with the Shorewood High School Athletic Department girls/boys basketball teams!
Exploring Music & Movies
The class celebrated International Women's Day by exploring women in music & film. They looked at the history of women in the industry and explored some examples. The class ended with a video of the "Top 10 Girl Power Songs!”
Exploring Food
This class’s March theme was “Healthy Snacks.” Participants chatted about all their favorite healthy snacks! We learned what makes a snack healthy vs. unhealthy. Then we made a favorite healthy, no-bake snack: Energy Balls! Together we measured, rolled the balls, and washed dishes. Such a blast!
Stream Team
Stream Team continues to enjoy chatting and playing activities over Zoom. This month we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a festive round of trivia.
DSAW Zoom Zumba
Zoom Zumba is a fun and FREE hour of fitness hosted by DSAW and MADSS. The class is guided by a certified Zumba instructor. Participants have enjoyed requesting songs and rockin’ out to the upbeat music.
