Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton – Workshops & Courses by “Growing Together”

Hard copies of the Growing Together-Family Resource Centre Course Book can be found at schools, Early Years Centres, and Hospitals. You can also find more information on a particular course by calling their general number at 905-521-2100, extension 77243. The following course descriptions have been taken from their book “January 2015 to August 2015 Course Schedule”.

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Special Needs Parent Support & Networking Group

McMaster Children’s Hospital – Chedoke

Evenings 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Dates:

February 4, 2015 and

March 4, 2015 and

April 1, 2015 and

May 6, 2015 and

June 3, 2015

Description:A monthly group for parents of children with developmental, physical and/or neurological conditions. An opportunity to network, learn about resources and supports, and share parenting experiences. Lead by MCH social workers. NOTE: This is not a parenting course.

For more information or to register, please call Allan at 905-521-2100 ext. 74486

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Tween Talk McMaster Children’s Hospital Chedoke Site

4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Chedoke Site, Evel Building

565 Sanatorium Rd., Hamilton

Description: 12 week group for children ages 10 to 12 who have a developmental disability. Focus is on social skill building and understanding relationships.

Call Kelly Wynne at 905-521-2100 ext.77280 to arrange appointment to determine eligibility.

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Teen Talk McMaster Children’s Hospital – Chedoke

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Chedoke Site, Hamilton

Description: Teen Talk is a 14 week psycho-social interactive group for teenagers ages 12 to 14 who have a developmental disability.

Call Ruth at 905-521-2100 ext. 77215 to arrange appointment to determine eligibility.

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Teen Talk 2 McMaster Children’s Hospital – Chedoke

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Chedoke Site, Hamilton

Description:Teen Talk 2 is a psycho-social interactive group for teenagers ages 14 to 18 who have a developmental disability. The group focuses on social skills enhancement and human sexuality.

Call Ruth at 905-521-2100 ext. 77215 to arrange appointment to determine eligibility.

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Teen Talk Transitions McMaster Children’s Hospital Chedoke Site

4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Evel Building, 565 Sanatorium Rd.,Hamilton

Description:A 12 week group for teens entering highschool who have a developmental disability.

Call Kelly Wynne at 905-521-2100 ext. 77280 to arrange appointment to determine eligibility.

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Girls Only Group McMaster Children’s Hospital Chedoke Site

4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Evel Building, 565 Sanatorium Rd., Hamilton

Description: A 5-week group for girls who have an Intellectual Disability who are entering puberty. The group is an educational group that teaches about pubertal changes and how to manage these changes.

Call Ruth at 905-521-2100 ext. 77215 to arrange appointment to determine eligibility.

Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton -Winter Programs Support

Once again, the Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton is providing financial support to members in good standing (paid membership), to participate in one session (January to March/April 2015) for any of the following winter programs run by organizations within our community. DSAH will reimburse the cost of one paid session with proof of purchase/payment.

Have any questions? Already registered and want to send in copies of your receipt?

Please email programs@dsah.ca attention Alyson Kowalchyk.

NOTE: registration process for many of these programs has already began, you are responsible for signing up and making payments so you can attend classes starting on January 2015.

Programs eligible for funding by DSAH

Superhero Training Academy -Offered by McMaster University Athletics & Recreation

The Superhero Training Academy is a fitness program designed specifically for children, ages 5 to 16 years, with special needs. Participants must be ambulatory. The program focuses on improving fitness fundamentals, such as balance, flexibility, coordination and strength, while also promoting the development of social skills, such as listening to instructions and working co-operatively in groups. In order to achieve these goals, children receive the undivided attention of one or two dedicated McMaster student volunteers. Parents are welcome to stay and observe. For further details contact the program coordinators Harriet Law and Matt Berardocco at sta@mcmaster.ca.

You can register online by visiting: Superhero Training Academy

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SwimAbilities-Children-Offered by the City of Hamilton. Locations: Bennetto CC and Sir Winston Churchill RC

A Learn to Swim program for children (3-18) with special needs. The program is based on Hamilton’s Splash, Lifesaving Swimmer Program and Lifesaving Swim to Survive Program. Participants in this class must provide their own volunteer to be in the water with the participant. There are 3 levels: Beginner – Parent and Tot / Splash ABC; Intermediate – Splash A+B+C+ / Swimmer 1, 2; and Advanced – Swimmer 3 and higher. Participants in this class MUST provide their own volunteer to be present in the water with the swimmer.

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SwimAbilities-ADULTS – Offered by the City of Hamilton. Location: Bennetto CC

A Learn to Swim program for adults (18+) with special needs. The program is based on Hamilton’s Splash, Lifesaving Swimmer Program and Lifesaving Swim to Survive Program. Participants in this class must provide their own volunteer to be in the water with the participant. Participants in this class MUST provide their own volunteer to be present in the water with the swimmer.

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Bowling Friday Framers. Offered by the City of Hamilton. Location: Huntington Park RC

This recreational program is designed for teens and adults with special needs. Participants meet weekly at Sherwood Bowling Lanes and must provide own support worker.

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Teen Connections. Offered by the City of Hamilton. Locations: Ryerson RC and Westmount RC

This recreational program is designed for teens age 16-21 who have special needs and can participate semi-independently with a ratio of one staff to 5 participants. Participants can recreate and form connections with other teens and engage in activities including cooking, active games, crafts, swimming, fitness, group team building and much more.

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Again, any questions or concerns, please contact Alyson Kowalchyk at programs@dsah.ca.

Hope to see many participating and having fun!

Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton Christmas 2014-Original Prints

Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton Christmas Party 2014

Thank You to everyone that made this year’s Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton’s Christmas party a great success!

For a copy of the original photo, without a Christmas frame, follow this link: Original Prints -photography by Paul Arnold.

National Down Syndrome Awareness Week Nov.1-7

The Story of Bears Bob & Larry

(A family’s project to teach school age children about Down syndrome)

Today, I met two new friends: Bear Larry & Bear Bob.

They are very similar but they are also different: can you see how they are different?

Larry and Bob came to school to help us understand Down syndrome.

Each Lego block is a “cell” -all living things are made out of cells. Each cell in our body has a set of “chromosomes” -these are little parts that control things like the colour of my hair and eyes, whether I am short or tall, fast, strong, and many of the things that make ME unique. A person born with Down syndrome has ONE extra chromosome in each of their cells. This can affect how they talk and walk, and other things like learning. But, it doesn’t mean they can not do it. It just takes them a little longer or they may need a little more help. But eventually, with love and support, they will do it.

Bob has an extra chromosome in his cells. But even though there is something different, Bob still is very much like Larry.

Bear Larry (left) & Bear Bob (right) helping understand Down Syndrome

Bear Larry & Bear Bob (right) helping us understand Down syndrome

A close up look showing Bob’s extra chromosome

Early Years Group -Meet Ups

THE WALK2014 Flyers

Small size Flyer THE WALK

volunteer flyer

Parents Connecting-D.A.D.S & Mom’s Night Out

Keep your eyes open for the return of two very popular opportunities to connect with other parents, trade stories and share information on social, educational, and the overall well being of our children. These gatherings are a way to strengthen our community.

PAYING OUR RESPECTS TO A CHAMPION FOR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY

By Communications Team | April 11,2014

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The Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton (DSAH) extends their sincerest condolences to the family & friends of the former Finance Minister, the Honourable James M. Flaherty.

While the Association does not endorse any political views, it is important for us to recognize the impact that Mr. Flaherty had on our community. As it has been noted in many of the tributes following his passing, Mr. Flaherty was a strong voice in Parliament Hill for social policy activism to help the disadvantaged, and especially the disabled. The cause was dear and near to him as the father to a young man with a learning disability.

In 2007, Mr. Flaherty introduced the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), a long-term savings plan to help Canadians with disabilities and their families to save, ensuring a secure future for people with disabilities. In addition, Mr. Flaherty was a strong supporter of the Special Olympics movement. “The former finance minister implemented several tax changes and supported events like the Special Olympics in his last budget with a nearly $11-million grant.” (http://www.660news.com/2014/04/11/disability-community-mourns-flaherty/)

If you would like to read more about Mr. Flaherty’s commitment to the Special Needs Community, please visit the links below:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/disability-community-has-lost-a-true-champion/article17927703/
http://www.cacl.ca/news-stories/press-releases/canada-loses-champion-people-disabilities-and-their-families

Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day

By DSAH Communications Team | March 31st, 2014

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World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) 2014 was an amazing celebration for DSAH. We accomplished much thanks to the support and assistance of our members & their families! A special Thank You to the parent volunteers who helped us distribute posters at different schools and Early Years Centres in our Awareness Campaign.

To mark WDSD, we asked families to send in a quote to express what this day, and thus Down syndrome, means to them. Here are the submissions:

“My daughter Taylor was 6 when Jeremy was born. I listened to her tell her friend about how her new brother has Down syndrome and how that means he has an extra chromosome. She then told her friend “the extra chromosome makes him extra cute”, her friend agreed.” Laura Rudolph

“It was 2 years ago this week that Bill and I found out Max would have Down Syndrome and this article [Down Syndrome-A year of Joy & Grief] hits so completely home for me! Down syndrome is not to be feared but something that makes Max and what he accomplishes every single day all the sweeter!!” Alyson Thom-Kowalchyk

“What Down syndrome means to me? It means stopping and enjoying the everyday accomplishments that we so often take for granted.” Sylvia Vaughn

“ I cannot explain all the emotions this day brings. We are now part of amazing community of committed, strong, compassionate parents. We have met amazing people that perhaps we may have not known, if it wasn’t for the fact that Alex was born with Down syndrome. My darling husband has said best- it is the journey that Alex has brought us into that makes his existence so special. He has taught us so much in just 3.5 years.” Ingrid Muschta

“What an honour it was to visit Crisina’s Tortina Shop on WDSD! Many of us had heard about this cupcake shop opened by Mary Iusso – Cristina’s (whom the store is named after) mother. Mary had a vision to open a business where the capabilities of people with Down syndrome, Autism, and other special needs were recognized and where equal employment opportunities were possible. Her daughter Cristina provided the inspiration for this business – she has Down syndrome. I could not think of a better place to visit on March 21^st – so when a road trip was suggested by DSAH members, I was ALL over it. A group of us decided to meet there when the shop opened – we took over the small shop and were welcomed by Mary and her employees and of course, the beautiful Cristina. Mary’s energy and vision for this small business was in evidence all over the shop – with inspiring quotes on the wall, to the employees working hard in preparing the yummy cupcakes and selling them to us – the eager customers.

On behalf of DSAH and personally, I applaud Mary for her vision and her commitment to showing the ability of people with special needs”. Jennifer Crowson

There were many activities that marked such a special occasion for our association. The video below showcases some of our members celebrating WDSD. Community & Unity -those are some of the feelings that are portrayed in these pictures, we think you will agree as well. Enjoy!

YouTube Video – DSAH Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 2014

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