Down Syndrome Awareness Week

[eidsvold]

THis is coming up in early June and I am a memebr of two parent groups in the local area... I have just emailed them to ask if they are planning on doing anything and one has replied and said no as they are having an official launch for their 'new/improved' group on the 15th of June - I just felt a little sad as I thought it would be good to use the week to raise awareness and understanding........ I would like to organise something but feel I don't really have the skills but would love to help out... might have to just brave it and plan something for my local area - even if it is selling the cool ds badges or some sort of collection around the neighbourhood.

I especially want to help the Down Syndrome Association as they were very helpful to us in the early days with information and ideas. I am doing the Flora Light challenge in Sept - probably pass out one mile into the 3 mile walk but I figure what the heck - can go along and have a walk and some fun and raise money for DSA to say thanks.

Anyone have some other ideas of things I might be able to do?!?! Would welcome any ideas...

Eidsvold, can't the group doing the relaunch be persuaded to move it to coincide with the Awareness Week - then maybe they'd have a double angle to interest the local press and get more publicity for their work.
If they won't/can't do that, why not contact the local press just to give your own story. From what you have posted on here, it makes great reading, and while campaigning to prevent our nursery closing, we have found local journalists really supportive of family interest issues. Makes a nice change for them from reporting on vandalised bus shelters...

thanks for that Marina - worth a thought and I could then persuade some of the local businesses to help me with selling the pins!!!

Good luck with the walk Eidsvold - are we able to sponsor you - can you give us more details?

I am a member of the DSA too (my nephew has Down Syndrome) - I did a very successful coffee morning last year & raised £200 - very easy to do and it was well supported, the association sent me some posters etc & an 'official' collecting tin. Good idea to contact your local newsletter.

I am in the process of organising myself to enter and then have to send off for the sponsoring forms.....

I have some of the posters - perhaps I could do a morning tea in my local village hall..mmm must get myelf organised and decide what I want to do. Thanks for htat idea.

thought I would just get some of the pins to sell out and about in the village!! They could not resist my dd's cheeky smile

Well done Edivold, a massive virtual pat on the back! You've put me to shame. I feel I should do something now, but I'm a lazy old cow! What could I do? Maybe I could do what Marina suggested and speak to a paper, get a bit of local awerness goig? hmmm, will have athink. In the meantime, well done you.

Thomcat - you could enter the flora light challenge - just a walk around hyde park - about three miles... I am not fit by any means but have been trying to get out and about walking and building my fitness up - it is in Sept and there is a group walking/running for the DSA. Can email you the address of the person to contact if you like.

I am thinking it will just be about pins for me during down syndrome awareness week although I did think about trying to contact Ready Steady Cook - figured they can have teachers on for the national teaching awards - why not people with down syndrome or carers of people with down syndrome to highlight the week. Justn ot sure how to go about it.

Edivold - thnaks the name of the person to contact for this walk in Sept would be great, thank you, and thanks for making me think aboout getting off my backside and doing something. It's only now I'm coming across such ignorance with regard to DS that I feel really strongly about making a few people out there aware of what it's about and dragging them out of the dark ages.
I think contacting Ready Steady Cook is a fab idea. Anything that will help educate people. Well done you.

have just got your email and will send that information.

I have just come back from a little wander just in my street and the people were fabulous - everyone but one person gave a donation of some sort and just in those few houses I raised £26.26. Made me feel good to see people so ready to donate.

Good news Eidsvold. When my mum died we asked for non family members to donate to the DSA and Cancer Research, and found people to be very generous too. The DSA even wrote back to thank us for the donations.

This isn't quite the right thread but I didn't want to start a new one.

Did anyone see 'Holby' this week, where a man with DS had quite a big role? What did you think of the portrayal of DS? I thought his acting was fantastic; it wasn't an easy part to play, lots of emotions etc.