Down Syndrome Parents Group of Western New York - DSPG of WNY

DSPG 2014 Conference
2014-05-03 08:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Mary’s High School, 142 Lavarack Avenue, Lancaster, NY, 14086, United States
The DSPG is hosting a conference, “Empowering Ourselves for a Better Future”, at St. Mary’s High School in Lancaster on Saturday, May 3. You can download the brochure here or you can anticipate receiving it in the mail the first week of April. We are excited to have Brian Skotko as the Keynote Speaker. He will be presenting on “Keeping our Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome Healthy: Medical Updates that Parents Need to Know”. In the afternoon he will close the conference with a conversation on “What Your Other Children without Down Syndrome are Thinking: Sibling Issues for Parents”. Carrie Bergeron will also be joining us again and presenting in one of our scheduled break-out sessions. We have a variety of sessions planned. A description of the sessions will be included on the registration form.
A fabulous catered lunch by PoppySeed in Orchard Park is included in the registration fee. Registration fee for the conference will be $20 per person which includes lunch and a tote. For more information please contact Leah Marchewka at 440-5127 or leahmarchewka71@yahoo.com

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DSPG Spaghetti Dinner
2014-03-30 16:00 - 18:30
When: March 30th, 2014
Where: Knights of Columbus, 2735 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227
Time: 4pm – 6:30pm
Dinner tickets – $7
Kids 3 years & under are FREE
(NO tickets will be sold at the door the day of the dinner)
GLUTEN FREE DINNERS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY ADVANCE RESERVATION ONLY!
So please specify when ordering.
To order tickets please call or email Tracey (228-5002, leo8408@gmail.com) or Barb (983-2140, bb.wakefield1@verizon.net)
We are also accepting basket donations, if you are interested in donating please call or email Tracey (228-5002, leo8408@gmail.com) or Barb (983-2140, bb.wakefield1@verizon.net)
Thanks and hope to see you at the dinner!

World Down Syndrome Day
2014-03-21 | World Wide
Start people talking about World Down Syndrome Day by wearing LOTS of SOCKS today! Bright colored, mismatched or even 3 (1 for that extra chromosome.) The choice is yours, but spread the word and help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities. For more information visitwww.worlddownsyndromeday.org

DSPG Spring Dance
2014-02-08 17:30 - 21:00 | Magruders Restaurant, 4995 Broadway, Depew, NY, 14043, United States
Got a little SPRING in your step… .dance on over Saturday, February 8 from 5:30-9pm at Macgruders Restaurant, 4995 Broadway in Depew. Hank will provide music & DSPG will provide pizza, salad & drinks. Bring a dish or dessert to pass. RSVP by February 3rd! Questions? Email Lynette at ljph@roadrunner.com

Dental Issues and DS
2014-01-15 07:00 - 20:00
Join us Wednesday, January 15th at 7:00PM, in M102 at Medialle College to hear Dr. DeLuke, DDS Orthodontist speak to us about the dental issues associated with Down syndrome. Hope to see you there!

DSPG Holiday Party
2013-12-07 11:00 - 14:00
Celebrate the holidays with DSPG family and friends at our annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 7, from 11am-2pm. Students at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, 3860 Main Street will be hosting.
There will be games for the younger kids and Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics will be back. If you are interested in your children receiving a gift from Santa, please bring them wrapped and labeled. The Sacred Heart students will organize Santa’s visit. Families attending are requested to bring an item of food. Last names beginning with A-M, please bring a side dish and last names beginning with N-Z, please bring a dessert.
DSPG will provide pizza and beverages. Please RSVP to Gretchen (dspgwny@gmail.com or 465-0128) or Maureen (mhunleybarnes@yahoo.com or 472-1637) by November 27 to let them know what you are bringing.

DSPG Halloween Party
2013-10-27 12:30 - 15:30 | St. Mary’s High School, Lancaster, NY, United States
For our younger trick-or-treaters come join us at St. Mary’s High School in Lancaster from 12:30 – 3:30pm in the gym on October 27. We’ll celebrate an early Halloween parading around in our costumes. Lots of great activities are planned. Families are asked to bring a snack/treat for the party. Lunch will not be served. Please RSVP to either Amy Monson at 677-0604 or amonson23@gmail.com or Michelle Giambra at 517-7961 or michgiambra@gmail.com by October 25.

DSPG Fall Dance
2013-10-19 17:30 - 21:00
Dance the evening away on Saturday, October 19 from 5:30-9pm at Macgruders Restaurant, 4995 Broadway in Depew. Hank will provide dancing music and DSPG will provide pizza, salad and drinks. Please bring a dish or dessert to pass. If you didn’t get a chance to purchase some of these great items at our awareness walk, the 2014 DSPG calendar, magnets and our newest item – Step Up for Down Syndrome sweatshirts will be for sale.
Please RSVP to Lynette via email (ljph@roadrunner.com) or cell 430-8957.

Ray of Sunshine: A Look at Down Syndrome
2013-10-04 18:00 - 2013-10-25 17:00 | Black Radish Studios, 274 Goodman Street N., Suite 501, Rochester, NY, 14607, United States
The Flower City Down Syndrome Network presents “Ray of Sunshine: A Look at Down Syndrome,” a photographic exhibit celebrating the abilities, achievements and beauty of people with Down syndrome. The show runs from October 4 – 25, 2013 at Black Radish Studio, 274 Goodman Street N., Suite 501, Rochester, NY 14607. (Parking and access on Anderson Ave.) Blackradishstudio.com (585) 413-1278

Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk
2013-09-28 11:00 - 14:00
Step Up 2013 Brochure
Join us for a one mile walk from Coca-Cola field to the Naval Park and back as we celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Lots of great entertainment will be provided throughout the day, as well as games and activities for children. Lunch is also included in the $5 registration fee. Register before September 10th and receive a complimentary t-shirt. We can’t wait to celebrate the diversity that makes Western New York a great place to live!
Tickets are available the day of the event at Coca-Cola field!

Martin’s Fantasy Island
2013-08-04 11:30 - 17:00 | Martin’s Fantasy Island, 2400 Grand Island Blvd., Grand Island, NY, 14072-3198, United States
Join us at Martin’s Fantasy Island. We are renting a pavilion for our families Sunday, August 4. Tickets include all day admission to the park & lunch. Park opens at 11:30am. Lunch is served from 1-3:00pm and includes hot dogs, hamburgers, potato & macaroni salad, and ice cream treats. Unlimited soft drinks are served from 12:30-3:30pm. Last year the DSPG donated $1,219.75 to this event. Due to your continued generosity throughout the year, the DSPG will again be able to absorb $10.00 of each ticket sold. Because of this, tickets will be sold to our group’s immediate family members and Grandparents for $12.00. The cost to families who already have season passes to Fantasy Island is only $6 per person for lunch. We encourage families to bring their extended family, however, we ask that extended family/friends pay $22.00 per ticket. This is still a discounted price for our group through Fantasy Island. Checks made out to DSPG can be mailed to Bonnie Zon, 222 Culpepper Road, Williamsville, NY 14221, by Friday, July 26, to allow time for tickets to be mailed back. No tickets will be sold at the park. Any questions, please contact Bonnie at 632-0137 or bonzon1102@aol.com

Buffalo Bisons Game
2013-07-14 13:05 - 17:00
Enjoy a day at the ballpark on Sunday, July 14th when the Buffalo Bisons take on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The game at Coca Cola Field officially begins at 1:05PM with activities for the kids throughout the afternoon. We want to thank the Poredas and the Bisons for the complimentary tickets for this annual event. RSVP to Janet (695-1299) by Monday, July 8th. Please be courteous and reserve tickets for your immediate family only. We look forward to cheering with you in the stands!

Calendar Photo Shoot
2013-06-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Delaware Park – Rose Garden, 199 Lincoln Pkwy, Buffalo, NY, 14222, United States
Delaware Park, Buffalo, NY. Meet at the Rose Garden (map to the Rose Garden).
Contact DSPG for additional details.

Calendar Photo Shoot
2013-05-26 22:00 | Delaware Park – Rose Garden, 199 Lincoln Pkwy, Buffalo, NY, 14222, United States
Please meet at the Casino building. http://www2.erie.gov/parks/index.php?q=chestnut-ridge
Contact DSPG for additional details.

Let’s Talk About Sex
2013-05-08 19:00 - 21:00 | M102, Medaille College Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, NY, 14214, United States
It is difficult to begin the conversation about sexuality with any child, but it seems particularly challenging for our families. In an effort to explore the best strategies for approaching this subject, Shannon Bianco, M.S. Ed. in Mental Health Counseling from People, Inc. will join our meeting on Wednesday, May 8.
The meeting will be held at 7pm at our usual location, M102 at Medaille College. Shannon will talk a little about when and how to start talking about sexuality, personal boundaries and relationships. This meeting is most appropriate for parents and adults with Down syndrome.
Because we can only cover a small portion of this huge topic, we hope this meeting will help generate ideas for further exploration at our daylong conference in Spring 2014.

Spaghetti Dinner
2013-04-21 16:00 - 18:30
Back by popular demand, the Spaghetti Dinner and Basket Auction will be held on Sunday, April 21, from 4-6:30pm. To accommodate our growing numbers, the event will be held at the Knights of Columbus, 2735 Union Road, Cheektowaga, so that the auction and dinner can take place in the same room.
Tickets are now available and will only be sold in advance. Adult dinners are $8, kids tickets are $5, and children under 2 are free. Gluten free meals will be available by advanced reservation only. Please contact Janet (695-1299) or Tracey (228-5002) for tickets.
No tickets will be sold at the door this year.
Last year’s basket auction was a huge success; due to the amazing generosity of our families and the local community, we had a record number of donations. If you know of anyone interested in donating a basket or gift certificate this year, please contact Tracey. There will also be two 50-50 raffle drawings during the dinner and auction. Donations of baked items for dessert will be greatly appreciated. Anyone interested in volunteering at the dinner, please let Janet know.
This event has been a lot of fun in the past and its success allows us to continue to do what we do. It sells out quickly, so buy your tickets now.

World Down Syndrome Day
2013-03-21
Happy World Down Syndrome Day! 3-21

http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org

OPWDD Update
2013-03-13 19:00 - 21:00 | M102, Medaille College Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, NY, 14214, United States
On Wednesday, March 13, Sue Barlow, Executive Director of Parent Network of Western New York, will update us on the newest information from New York State concerning changes to the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and Medicaid. The meeting will be held in M102 at Medaille College, at 7pm.
Sue will try to help us make some sense of the confusing and changing information that has been made public about this important topic. We will try to keep the conversation focused on the changes that are most relevant to our families. Questions will be welcomed.
Note: Please make sure to RSVP for this meeting; Parent Network funding depends on it. We will e-mail a form to our list in the next few weeks for this purpose. If you are not on our e-mail list, please RSVP to 832-9334.

Valentine's Dance
2013-02-09 17:30 - 21:00
Make your Valentine’s Day extra special this year by dancing the evening away on Saturday, February 9, from 5:30-9pm at Macgruders Restaurant, 4995 Broadway in Depew. This is another popular event for all ages. Hank will provide the dancing music, and DSPG will provide pizza and drinks. Please bring a dish to pass or a dessert. If you have any questions, please contact Lynette at ljph@roadrunner.com.
Lynette would greatly appreciate RSVPs by February 2 in order to plan the food.

Movie Night
2013-01-09 19:00 - 21:30
Join us for some popcorn and an interesting flick on Wednesday, January 9, at 7pm, in M102 at Medaille College. We will watch the 2009 documentary film Monica And David. Director Alexandra Codina follows her cousin Monica through her marriage to David, and their first months living together. Both Monica and David have Down syndrome. The film explores the complexities of supporting the couple, and the struggles they, and their parents, face as they try to fulfill their hopes and dreams. Hopefully the film will spark a lively discussion. It’s definitely worth seeing.

Holiday Party
2012-12-01 11:00 - 14:00
Come celebrate the holidays with DSPG family and friends at our annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 1, from 11am-2pm. As usual, the party will be hosted by the students at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, 3860 Main Street.
There will be games in the gym for the younger kids and entertainer Glenn Colton will return with some music and fun for kids of all ages. If you are interested in your children receiving a gift from Santa, please bring wrapped and labeled ones. The Sacred Heart students will organize Santa’s visit.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, we are asking that everyone who attends the party bring an item of food. Families with last names beginning with A-M, please bring a dessert and families with last names beginning with N-Z, please bring a side dish. DSPG will provide pizza and beverages.
Please RSVP to Gretchen (dspgwny@hotmail.com or 465-0128) or Maureen (mhunleybarnes@yahoo.com or 472-1637) by November 27 to let them know what you are bringing.

Sleep Apnea/ENT Update
2012-11-14 19:00 - 20:00
Dr. Linda Brodsky, pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist and founder of Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, will be speaking on Wednesday evening, November 14, at 7pm in M101 at Medaille College. Dr. Brodsky will be updating us on sleep apnea in individuals with Down syndrome and other relevant ear, nose and throat issues. Note: This room is next to M102 where we usually meet. There will be a short question and answer period after Dr. Brodsky’s presentation. More information about Dr. Brodsky and PENTA can be found on her blog: thebrodskyblog.com.
