NEO Notes By Zandra Vaccarino
Down Syndrome Awareness Month great opportunity to shine
The 21st of March is our opportunity to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), but I have noted that in America, in addition to WDSD they also celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. How wonderful to have an entire month to celebrate people with Down syndrome, to spread awareness and make people aware of the abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. So why not take the opportunity during October to create awareness in your community. A couple of suggestions include: • Posting a message on your Facebook page celebrating people with Down syndrome • Submitting a paragraph and a photograph of someone you know with Down syndrome participating in their favourite activities, which we can share in the ENews. Please email to Jess hello@nzdsa.org.nz
Mana Whaikaha – MidCentral
the launch of Mana Whaikaha, the prototype of the transformed disability support system. One positive outcome that we have already seen in our region is how groups of disabled people, families and whānau living in MidCentral have accessed capability funding which enables them to access training that will enable and empower them to exercise greater choice and control of their lives. In Palmerston North, I worked with a group of young adults with Down syndrome as well as parents, family and whānau to determine their training and empowerment needs, and together we prepared proposals for a funding application. The NZDSA was fortunate that our application was successful and we secured funds to run two programmes. One programme is with young adults with Down syndrome and they have called their programme the COOL Funshop.
COOL stands for Control, Our, Own, Lives. What is a Funshop?
In the MidCentral region, 1 October 2019 has been a significant day as it will be the first anniversary of
Well, it’s a workshop where participants learn new skills in a more relaxed and fun environment. Below are a few photographs of the participants
Lunch time at the COOL Funshop
Discussing EGL principles at the COOL Funshop
COOL funshop participants at a planning meeting
Discussing EGL principles
CHAT 21 | Issue 79, Spring 2019
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