A teen with down syndrome recently made history as the first person with down syndrome to make it to the base camp of Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain. This feat was accomplished in 10 days by Eli Reimer as he and his team traveled in below freezing weather to reach an elevation of 17,000 feet. Go Eli!
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/03/26/teen-history-everest/17575/
Showing posts with label Down Syndrome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Down Syndrome. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
"Dolls for Downs"
When people look at dolls, they tend to gravitate towards the ones that look like them. Dolls today are made with different genders, races, and there is even a line of dolls for cancer patients. But, there was not a single doll line for people with disabilities. Imagine the disbelief of Hannah Feda, a girl with down syndrome, when she continued to flip through catalogs and states to her mother "none of these dolls look like me. not one." Hannah's mother, Connie Feda, decided to create a line to provide children with down syndrome and other disabilities a chance to have a doll that looks like them, that they can relate to. Feda created this line and called it "Dolls for Downs." She states that the dolls are not only fun to play with, but they provide occupational therapy skills ,for its users. Feda continues by saying that users who have not developed certain motor skills can learn with the doll's clothing and removable features such as buttons, zippers, velcro, ties and snaps. We applaud Feda for creating such a difference with her unique product.
To purchase "Dolls for Downs," please visit:
http://www.dollsfordowns.org/index.html
To purchase "Dolls for Downs," please visit:
http://www.dollsfordowns.org/index.html
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Online Voter Registration At EmpowerTech
Yesterday I had the opportunity to chat awhile with one of our new students; I’ll call Willie, while he was waiting for his ride. Willie’s a 23 year old young man with Down Syndrome, with a smile that could light up the night sky and a sense of humanity that would make Mother Teresa proud. He told me he has 3 GOALS (notice the caps here) that he’s going to accomplish this year.
1. Graduate high school.
2. Graduate his TRADE program or “Eric’s Class” he so gently corrected me several times.
3. Vote!
This last goal was said with a sense of awe and determination like he and he alone was going to change the world on November 6. I think that many of us forget that voting is a privilege; I must tell you he reminded me of this yesterday. He knew not only whom he wanted for president but he also knew his local and state officials he was choosing to represent him. Now if this doesn’t impress you maybe this will; Willie also told me how he was going to vote on many of the Propositions that are on the ballot this year. He stated his reasons briefly but cogently with a nod a smile and the occasional fist pump. At one point he leaned closer to me, he was going to share a secret; “not everyone is going to vote that’s sad”. I am seldom at a loss for words, I’m also one to applaud other’s whenever applicable, but this time without trepidation I gave him a hug. He was right, that’s sad.
Many of us want to see change in the world and many of us, like Willie, are excited to vote in this year’s election. It’s true that a lot of people with disabilities vote but there countless people living with a disability that aren’t registered to vote. I for one along with several of our partners, want to change that.
It’s our privilege to announce that starting today Wednesday, September 26, between 3:30 and 6:00 and every Wednesday until October 10; we here at EmpowerTech will be helping people with disabilities register to vote online. (Please note that this is during our Free Open Access Lab).
Yes, we can change the world.
For more information please contact me at the number listed below.
***If you have a large group (30 or more) please let us know in advance so we can set up more stations
1. Graduate high school.
2. Graduate his TRADE program or “Eric’s Class” he so gently corrected me several times.
3. Vote!
This last goal was said with a sense of awe and determination like he and he alone was going to change the world on November 6. I think that many of us forget that voting is a privilege; I must tell you he reminded me of this yesterday. He knew not only whom he wanted for president but he also knew his local and state officials he was choosing to represent him. Now if this doesn’t impress you maybe this will; Willie also told me how he was going to vote on many of the Propositions that are on the ballot this year. He stated his reasons briefly but cogently with a nod a smile and the occasional fist pump. At one point he leaned closer to me, he was going to share a secret; “not everyone is going to vote that’s sad”. I am seldom at a loss for words, I’m also one to applaud other’s whenever applicable, but this time without trepidation I gave him a hug. He was right, that’s sad.
Many of us want to see change in the world and many of us, like Willie, are excited to vote in this year’s election. It’s true that a lot of people with disabilities vote but there countless people living with a disability that aren’t registered to vote. I for one along with several of our partners, want to change that.
It’s our privilege to announce that starting today Wednesday, September 26, between 3:30 and 6:00 and every Wednesday until October 10; we here at EmpowerTech will be helping people with disabilities register to vote online. (Please note that this is during our Free Open Access Lab).
Yes, we can change the world.
For more information please contact me at the number listed below.
***If you have a large group (30 or more) please let us know in advance so we can set up more stations
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