Down Syndrome Awareness Month Spotlight on Kennedy

The Down Syndrome Center at Hope Haven

We are off to a wonderful October and heading toward our Buddy Walk on November 7th. This month we are celebrating some of our past and present clients with that little something extra. Today our star is...drum-roll please...

KENNEDY!!!

From Kennedy's mom:

What a great idea to celebrate Down syndrome awareness month and I love any chance I get to brag on Hope Haven. As Kennedy just celebrated her 3rd birthday, I'm especially thankful for Mrs. Kris. When we first started regular therapy with Kris, at about 4 months old, we had no idea we'd be meeting one of our biggest cheerleaders. One of my favorite things about Mrs. Kris, aside from her singing, is the fact that she always treats Kennedy as a unique individual. She never uses the diagnosis to classify what our girl is or isn't capable of or how she should be treated. Kennedy is her own unique person in Kris' eyes and is always loved and challenged with a fun mix of songs and play with her "work." Mrs. Kris deserves so much praise for her dedication to excellent service. 

We are thankful for all of the growth that Kennedy has experienced at Hope Haven and look forward to continuing that growth with your wonder team of therapists.

Thank you for sharing your experience with Hope Haven and Mrs. Kris. We think she's awesome too!

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If you'd like more information on our Down Syndrome Center,

please email us at downsyndromecenter@hope-haven.org

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Boys Will Be Boys!

Today we celebrate 2 of our little buddies from our kindergarten class. Before school started, they did not know each other. As you can see, they are now great friends. They love to greet each other each morning and they get into lots of mischief together. They can usually be found in the reading center looking at books, laughing, talking and making noises that little boys like to make. These 2 seem to find each other no matter what we are doing at school, they just want to be together.

Isn't that what we want for all our kids? To find meaningful friendships with others who like the same things. To be a valued part of a classroom community is the right of every child. We are so thankful to have these 2 friends be a part of our first kindergarten class. A class where every child is included, valued, loved and cherished. A great beginning to a wonderful school year.

   

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Today is October 1st and also the first day of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We are going to take this month to share with you some of our favorite people. They are our favorites because they make us laugh, they inspire us, they make us wonder and they bring us joy. They can also exasperate us, aggravate us, exhaust us and make us question our own sanity! They are sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, students, friends and family. Oh...and they also have Down syndrome. It is not who they are, it's just a part of them. One part of the many things that make a person who they are. And while that part makes them different, there is much more that is alike than different.

People with Down syndrome have hopes, dreams and desires like we all do. Fortunately, more of them are able to realize those dreams but we still have a long way to go. Although there are now many more opportunities for people with all types of disabilities, we are a long way from where we need to be. Until then, we must continue to do the hard work, have the uncomfortable conversations and press forward to ensure all people with Down syndrome are provided with what they need to be successful. 

The Down Syndrome Center at Hope Haven is proud to be a service provider for families of children with Down syndrome and other special needs. From brand new babies to young adults and every age in between, we can help you navigate the journey of parenting a child with a disability. We can also provide you with therapies, educational advocacy, summer camps, preschool, kindergarten and tutoring. Please contact us with any questions. 

terrig@hope-haven.org