What is Down syndrome?
Learn about Down syndrome and
how it affects those who have it, and
those who care about them....
Our Vision and Goal:
The Down Syndrome
Association of Hamilton is an
association which works toward
creating a society in which all
people with Down Syndrome
are welcomed members.

We believe that all children with
Down Syndrome should have
the choice of an inclusive
education. Adequate supports
must be provided according to
each individual's needs to
ensure an equitable opportunity
for success.

The Association envisions a
society in which each person
with Down Syndrome is afforded
dignity, self-respect and is
honoured and supported.

Our goal is for people with
Down Syndrome to be able to
make real life choices, to work
for equal pay, and have access
in adulthood to decent and
appropriate homes which they
are able to call their own.
THERES A LOT HAPPENING IN THE DSAH....
DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF HAMILTON
Down Syndrome is
"neither a disease, a defect,
nor a deficiency,
but rather a difference
and a part of the human condition
that has always been with us
and always will be,
like left-handedness."
~~Michael Shaw, CDSS
Last Update: 2010/04/12
Check
Out
These
Links!!
The Down Syndrome
Association of
Hamilton has learned
of incidents that are,
or should be,
commonly
considered 'hateful',
intended to attack
people with
developmental and
mental disabilities. It
is our stance that
people who exhibit
hateful and abusive
language and
behaviours be
stopped from doing
so. If you are
interested in
supporting this
cause, or learning
more about it, we
suggest you start
with this link:
photo
DSAH
Spring 2010
Newsletter

(Yes, Spring is now
around the corner!)

The next edition of
REACHING OUT
was mailed
March 1st.

Watch your
mailboxes!

For those who have
opted out of
hard-copy mailings,
thank-you.

Click here to see
past and recent
newsletters online.
Looking for
Gluten-free
Recipes?
Many of our members are
faced with the challenges of
Celiac disease,
a condition that prevents
the proper digestion
of gluten,
an enzyme most commonly
found in wheat
and wheat products.
This makes
meal and snack-times
especially taxing.

If you have found
a good gluten-free recipe,
please share it with our
members by submitting it


If you're looking for a new
gluten-free recipe,


We'll try and fill up some of
those empty recipe cards
for you!
A Great Deal From
DSAO and The Brick

The Down Syndrome Association of
Ontario has introduced a fundraising
program that will interest anyone
thinking of making a purchase from
The Brick.
Did you know...

...that the potential for
children born today with
Down syndrome is more
hopeful than ever before in
the history of our existence?

...that there are currently 3
members of the Calgary
Down Syndrome Association
who have their driver's
licences, despite the fact that
they have Down syndrome?

...that it is now common
thinking that 100% of
children born today with
Down syndrome will learn to
read?
Check Out Our New
Members' Section

While we want our website to be helpful
and informative for everyone and
anyone who wants access to more
information about life with Down
syndrome, there are many items that will
really only interest our members.
Click here
to access our Members' Interests Page
or to find out what you'd be getting yourself into if you'd like to join us...
Our ever changing meeting structure is designed to offer you
support, and encouragement at every stage of your child's
development.

Our monthly meetings begin again this fall, and despite us calling
them Executive Meetings, they are open to all (Dads too!).  They
involve sharing stories, survival strategies and the latest ideas...as
well as doing the month to month business that keeps the group
running.

Every one is welcome! (Did we mention there's usually cookies?)

Also, once a quarter or so, we host a social event to bring families
together in a fun, stress free (cause we do the cookin'!), relaxed
environment.  These are a great time to see other families and say
things like "Oh! My kid does that too!" and "That's normal, I get that
all the time!"
It's also an great opportunity for your child with DS (or their amazing
sibling) to interact with other kids like them in a safe, supportive
environment.

If you are interested in helping out, have a great idea for a social, or
just want to make sure you find out all the juicy details, drop us a line!
THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU...
To all who helped, supported and played at our
15th Annual Golf Tournament!!
at
King's Forest Golf Course
Hamilton Ontario

It was an outstanding success, made possible by
the hard work and support of many.

A special thanks to the great staff and
management at King's Forest Golf Course, who
truly went above and beyond all expectations to
ensure the best possible day.

Keep an eye out for your brochure for next
summer's event, which promises to be bigger and
better than ever!
If you would like to support the Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton with a donation,
you can do so using your credit card by clicking here to visit CanadaHelps.org
Or, you can mail a cheque, payable to Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton to
Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton, P.O. Box 4457, Station 'D' Hamilton  ON  L8V 4S7
The Brick Select Reward offers
wholesale pricing to DSAH members and their families,
and will donate 2% of our purchases to the DSAO.

Before making your purchase,
call Ron Bartleman at 1(800)991-3232
and ask about The Brick Select Reward program
in support of the Down Syndrome Association of Ontario.

You may save hundreds of dollars on your purchases,
and the DSAO will benefit as well.
ATTENTION DADS!!!
There's a barbeque a comin'.  That's the good news.
The GREAT news, is that you're hosting it!

If you are a dad (father, male parental unit, etc) of a
child with Down Syndrome in our association, then
Mike would love to hear from you.

Email him or call at the number below to see how
you can help with the upcoming, inaugural DADS
Summer Barbeque.

It promises to be loads of fun, and nobody...and we
mean nobody, is going away hungry.

Put a Big Red X over August 21st from 11;00 to 2:00,
and get ready for some summertime fun.

RSVP by e-mail - Click Here - or phone (905)730-7230.
Get to Know your 2010/2011 Exec
(in no particular order)
Alex Brown, President
Judy Colantino, Vice President and
Public Board SEAC Representative
Sylvia Vaughan, Treasurer
Leslie Rockwood, DSAO Rep
Teresa Sanges, Social Convenor
James Cain, Catholic Board SEAC
Rep
Lisa Nelligan, Secretary
Mike McCarthy, Fundraising
Coordinator, DADS Coordinator
Judi Pavelchenko, Volunteer
Coordinator
Jason Allen, Communications
Coordinator
Contact us any time, we'd love to
hear from you!
They say patience is a virtue, but patience with a well meaning parent
volunteer is doubly so.
Please excuse the ever-changing look of the website as I give it a little
nip here, and a little tuck there to get us ready for the swimsuit
season!
Your suggestions are always welcome.