DSANV: September 2009 Newsletter

September 2009 Newsletter

Meet Casey Hammeke

In each edition of the DSANV Newsletter, we will introduce you to a self advocate with Down syndrome, someone we can all learn from. This month we start with Casey Hammeke.

Casey Hammeke is a star. No matter what she does, she excels at it. Now 32 years old, an adult with Down syndrome, she is an actress, an accomplished Special Olympian, a board member, a speaker, office worker, sister and daughter. She has hopes and dreams that she will likely reach because she is such a star.

Upcoming Workshops and Events

DSANV’s 2009 Buddy Walk
Saturday, October 17, 2009 10am-2pm
Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA
Read more | Register online

The funds raised through the Buddy Walk work to ensure that every individual with Down syndrome in the Northern Virginia area can reach his or her full potential. For more information on this year’s Buddy Walk or to register, please visit www.buddywalk.kintera.org/dsanv.

13th Annual Pumpkin Pick
Saturday, October 3, 2009 12pm-5pm
Numbers Thirteen Farm, Goldvein, VA

Transition and Financial Strategies for the Special Needs Family (14 years-22 years)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 7pm-9pm
Location: TBA, please check www.dsanv.org for details

Reading: Assessment and Reading Programs
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time and Location: TBA, please check www.dsanv.org for details

Financial Strategies for the Special Needs Family (all ages)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7pm-8:30pm
The Neighborhood Resource Center, 1086 Elden St. Herndon, VA 20170
(located in the Bloom shopping Center)

Attending the National Down Syndrome Convention 2009

By: Kathy Thompson

I had the awesome privilege of attending the National Down Syndrome Annual Convention in Sacramento, California. I can say I will never forget my experience there—not only because I was able to attend many workshops and meet with many vendors, some of which I had only “met” over the internet, but because I had the chance to see and hear the Advocates. They were inspiring and opened up many more opportunities for the future of my son.

Kathy Thompson’s attendance at the National Down Syndrome Convention was in part supported by the DSANV Scholarship program. Look for the same scholarships to be available for next year’s convention in Orlando, FL.

The Social Outreach Committee has been busy planning this year’s upcoming events.

Please save the date for our Annual Holiday Party on December 12, 2009 from 11:30am-2:30pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Arlington, VA (please note new location)! Join us for a Buffet luncheon, musical entertainment, visit and gifts with Santa!

This year, the DSANV Education Committee brought several workshops and seminars to our area, including two very high profile speakers in our community.

Terri Couwenhoven presented a seminar on “Understanding Sexuality in People with Intellectual Disabilities,” and Joan Guthrie Medlen presented on “Nutrition and Feeding.”

The Dan Piper Award Winner for 2009

This year’s Dan Piper Award winner, Erin Thompson, is a Board Member of DSANV and an active volunteer for the Arc of Northern Virginia. She is in her senior year at the George Mason University Life Program, and the first person in the program to participate in a fully inclusive class.

Welcome to Our New Families

The Elphick Family • The Abdin Family • The Ahmed Family • The Andrade Family • The Baker Family • The Baker Family • The Breffitt Family • The Camposano Family • The Chaudhry Family • The Cirillo Family • The Gentil Family • The Gogola Family • The Hernandez-Mendoza Family • The Hoffman Family • The Huda Family • The Jenkins Family • The Jillson Family • The Lawler Family • The Lopez Family • The Montgomerie Family • The Myers Family • The Negash Family • The O'Brien Family • The Pope Family • The Reedy Family • The Rigdon Family • The Riley Family • The Rodriguez Family • The Sakho Family • The Scanlon Family • The Swanson Famiy • The Thanyachereon Family • The Tobiaz Family • The Umana Family • The West Family • The Witter Family • The Yassin Family • The Yen Family

DSANV | 98 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 | P: 703.621.7129 | www.dsanv.org