News!
Matt Porter wins the Dan Piper Award
Siblings Group
This group is for kids 8-19 who have siblings with DS. The next meeting is on October 23, 2011, 1:00-2:30 pm at State College YMCA. No membership needed..
This get together is meant to be fun for the kids. We ask that parents not attend, or be in earshot or eyesight of the kids. We also ask if you could donate a couple of dollars and or drinks and supplies. There will be leaders facilitating this get together. If you have any questions, contact ccdssociety@gmail.com.
Mom's in Touch
The CCDSS would like to introduce a new group within the CCDSS, Mom's in Touch. This group is for the mom, who has a child with DS. The first meeting is on October 15, 2011, 11 am at 616 Valley Vista Dr., State College
This is a great opportunity for moms to get together to socialize, have fun, find common interests, provide support and establish mentoring opportunities. Email Lyn Pelchar for more information..
D.A.D.S (dads appreciating down syndrome)
The CCDSS would like to introduce a new group within the CCDSS, D.A.D.S. This group is for the dad, who has a child with DS. The first meeting is on October 21, 2011, 8 pm at Home Delivery Pizza, South Atherton, State College
This is a great opportunity for dad to get involved, build support and fellowship, have fun and build mentoring opportunities. Email Mike Jewell.
for more information, or just show up
Adult Siblings
The CCDSS would like to introduce a new group within the CCDSS, Adult Siblings. This group is for the adults (18 or older), who has a sibling with DS.
This is a great opportunity for you to get involved, build support and fellowships, have fun and build mentoring opportunities. Email Sharon Nelson.
for more information.
Self-Advocacy
The CCDSS would like to introduce a new group within the CCDSS, Self-Advocates. This group is for adults who have DS.
This is a great opportunity for you to get involved, build support and fellowships, have fun and build mentoring opportunities, along with learning the skils that are needed in helping you become more independent. Email Sharon Nelson.
for more information.
Matt Porter wins the Dan Piper Award
Today is the anniversary of Dan's passing. This day has always brought me reflection of my brother's life and my life with him. He was an ordinary guy with extraordinary power. He taught a whole community about disability with ability. He was a forefather of inclusion. His drive to acquire the same human rights that you and I possess every day engraved a bridge in equality for persons living with disabilities throughout our great nation and worldwide. The irony is that he had no intention to be a martyr for this great cause. His intention was to be whatever Dan Piper wanted to be. That was the mark he made for persons living with disabilities.
You could not tell Dan what he could not do, he would do it anyway. He wanted an education, to be an athlete, to have a girlfriend, to have a job, to have his own apartment, and to enjoy the freedom of walking down the street and making his own decision on where that street would lead him. In a time when society said no, he said "why not?" He took "why not" a long way. In the spirit of the Dan Piper award I just want to say that I am overwhelmed at the accomplishments of the nominees past and present. It is amazing to me how far we have come since 40 years ago. Dan would have turned 41 this October 2nd. The path he lead along with others has opened so many doors to those with Downs and other abilities. To see the current accomplishments, that is the legacy Dan left that my family and I are so proud of.
With that said, I am proud to say that my recommendation for the recipient of the Dan Piper award is Matt Porter. Matt exemplifies that "why not" attitude. His selfless bravado and ability to impact others upon his actions really left a mark with me. He appears to be a "regular" guy that has found his own direction. Seeing that he is a part of such a large family and has made such an impact on them tells me that he has taught all of them how to bond even stronger as a family unit. I know we only get a short synopsis of the nominees lives but hearing Matt's story and wilingness to make his own footprints just gave me the feeling that this guy is right for the award."
Information on the Dan Piper Award
