FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FUND TODAY IS WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY A GLOBAL AWARENESS DAY TO CELEBRATE AND END STEREOTYPES. 12 NEWS DIANA GUTIERREZ JOINS US IN DIANA THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION HAS ITS STATE HEADQUARTERS IN WEST ALLIS. DEREK JOYCE. AND TODAY WE SAT IN ON ONE OF THE CLASSES THAT THEY OFFER AT THE NONPROFIT CENTER ON CLEVELAND AVENUE. AND TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME MISCONCEPTIONS AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS IS WHAT MADE US WHO WE ARE IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND, UH, AND I REALLY SPEAK FROM THE HEART FROM THAT INSIDE DSAS OR THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN. THERE’S A SKILLS TRAINING ACADEMY OFFERED FOR THOSE WHO ARE 18 AND UP. THAT WAS GOOD. YOU KNOW, BE OUT IN THE WORLD AND DOING FUN THINGS AND HELPING PEOPLE OUT AND, UH, EXPLORING THE WORLD THROUGHOUT THESE SMALL GROUP CLASSES, STUDENTS LEARN LIFE SKILLS. SOME COOKING THINGS, HOW TO USE A MICROWAVE OR AN OVEN, HOW TO USE MONEY. MARY GAFFRON DINOSAURS EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER, TELLS ME THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 100 BABIES BORN WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN WISCONSIN EVERY YEAR ACROSS THE STATE. DSAS SERVES ABOUT 5500 FAMILIES. WE START WITH, YOU KNOW, FAMILIES OR COUPLES THAT COME TO US WITH A NEW DIAGNOSIS, WHETHER THAT’S THEY JUST FOUND OUT THEY’RE HAVING A BABY WITH DOWN SYNDROME ALL THE WAY THROUGH PROGRAMING FOR AGING INDIVIDUALS. GAFFRON SAYS MARCH 21ST IS A DAY TO RAISE AWARENESS. THE MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTION IS THAT IT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN CATCH OR THAT IT’S A DISEASE. PEOPLE HAVE, SHE SAYS. PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME JUST WANT TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY. LIKE MICHELLE, WHO WORKS AT THE CENTER. BE INSPIRED. NEW, BE PROUD NEW. UH, YEAH, I LOVE NEW. JUST WAY NEW. UH, AND BRIAN, WHO JUST JOINED THE SKILLS TRAINING ACADEMY, YOU AND THAT WE WERE BORN WITH DOWN SYNDROME DOESN’T MEAN. DOES DOESN’T MEAN THAT’S ALL IT IS. BECAUSE WE ARE MORE IN THIS DOWN SYNDROME. INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME HAVE THREE COPIES OF THE 21ST CHROMOSOME. THAT’S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CELEBRATING THE DAY ON MARCH 21ST. NOW, DC IS HAVING A TALENT SHOW THIS SATURDAY. THERE RAISING FUNDS FOR THE ORGANIZATI
World Down Syndrome Day celebrated in Wisconsin
Approximately 100 babies are born with Down syndrome in Wisconsin every year.
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Updated: 8:24 PM CDT Mar 21, 2024
March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. It’s a global awareness day to raise awareness and celebrate those who have Down syndrome. The Down Syndrome Association has its state headquarters in West Allis.12 News visited the nonprofit center on Cleveland Avenue to learn more about Down syndrome misconceptions and resources available for both individuals and families.“DSAW is what made us who we are in the first place, and I speak from the heart,” said Brian Moede, a participant of the center. Inside DSAW, or the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, there's a skills training academy offered for those who are 18 and up. “It's always good to be out in the world and doing fun things and exploring the world,” Moede said. Throughout these small group classes, students learn life skills. “Some cooking things, how to use a microwave oven or an oven, how to use money,” said Mary Gaffron, DSAW’s education and engagement manager. She says approximately 100 babies are born with Down syndrome in Wisconsin every year.Across the state, DSAW serves about 5,500 families. “We start with families or couples that come to us with a new diagnosis, whether that's they just found out they're having a baby with Down syndrome all the way through programming for aging individuals,” Graffon said. Gaffron says March 21 is a day to raise awareness.“The most common misconception is that it's something you can catch or that it's a disease people have," Gaffron said. She says people with Down syndrome just want to be part of the community, like Michelle Levenhagen, who works at the center.“Be inspired, be proud of who you are, and I love you just the way you are,” Levenhagen said. And Brian, who just joined the skills training academy. “Even though we were born with Down syndrome doesn’t mean that’s all it is because we are more than just Down syndrome," Brian said.Individuals with Down syndrome have three copies of the 21st chromosome. That's the significance of celebrating the day on March 21st. DSAW is having a talent show on Saturday, March 23rd. Tickets are available here. They're raising funds for the association and other programs.Click here for other ways to give.
WEST ALLIS, Wis. — March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. It’s a global awareness day to raise awareness and celebrate those who have Down syndrome.
The Down Syndrome Association has its state headquarters in West Allis.
12 News visited the nonprofit center on Cleveland Avenue to learn more about Down syndrome misconceptions and resources available for both individuals and families.
“DSAW is what made us who we are in the first place, and I speak from the heart,” said Brian Moede, a participant of the center.
Inside DSAW, or the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, there's a skills training academy offered for those who are 18 and up.
“It's always good to be out in the world and doing fun things and exploring the world,” Moede said.
Throughout these small group classes, students learn life skills.
“Some cooking things, how to use a microwave oven or an oven, how to use money,” said Mary Gaffron, DSAW’s education and engagement manager.
She says approximately 100 babies are born with Down syndrome in Wisconsin every year.
Across the state, DSAW serves about 5,500 families.
“We start with families or couples that come to us with a new diagnosis, whether that's they just found out they're having a baby with Down syndrome all the way through programming for aging individuals,” Graffon said.
Gaffron says March 21 is a day to raise awareness.
“The most common misconception is that it's something you can catch or that it's a disease people have," Gaffron said.
She says people with Down syndrome just want to be part of the community, like Michelle Levenhagen, who works at the center.
“Be inspired, be proud of who you are, and I love you just the way you are,” Levenhagen said.
And Brian, who just joined the skills training academy.
“Even though we were born with Down syndrome doesn’t mean that’s all it is because we are more than just Down syndrome," Brian said.
Individuals with Down syndrome have three copies of the 21st chromosome. That's the significance of celebrating the day on March 21st.
DSAW is having a talent show on Saturday, March 23rd. Tickets are available here. They're raising funds for the association and other programs.
Click here for other ways to give.
