March 2014
It is now even easier to help HDSSG with JustTextGiving!
We are now registered with JustText Giving from Vodafone – making donating to HDSSG even more simple! Just follow the instructions in the image below and you can help us to continue to offer opportunities, activities and support to over 40 families of children with Down Syndrome in Huddersfield.
£60 pays for 1 hour of private speech therapy for 4 children or for 1 hour of private hydrotherapy swimming for up to 6 families.
£4 provides a ‘new parent’ pack congratulating parents on the arrival of their baby and introducing HDSSG. Letting them know we are here for them if and when they need us.
HDSSG is 100% parent volunteer run so your generous donations go such a long way. We thank you for your continued support.
Shabang’s Chromosomes R Us video is a You Tube hit!
The very talented ‘Up Club’ have made a short film to illustrate how trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) occurs, it was released on the eve of World Down Syndrome Day, 21.03 as a celebration. The Huddersfield based drama club has had over 17,000 hits to date!
Ruben Reuter narrates this educational and informative film which also stars many more HDSSG members.
Well done to all at Shabang Inclusive Learning & Mediapreview on such a brilliant production.
To find out more about Shabang and Up Club please visit their website.
World Down Syndrome Day 2014!
21st March 2104 marks the 9th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day. A global awareness day that has been recognised by the United Nations since 2012.
For WDSD 2014, Down Syndrome International are focusing on:
“Health and Wellbeing – Access and Equality for All”
All people with Down syndrome have the right to access healthcare when required on an equal basis with others without discrimination and with proper assessment of the specific health needs of the individual. They will be highlighting that:
- Having Down syndrome does not make a person unhealthy.
- Down syndrome is a genetic condition, not an illness.
- People with Down syndrome may have health issues throughout their lives, just like everyone else and they should have access to healthcare on an equal basis with others.
- There are specific known health issues which may affect people with Down syndrome, for which accurate, evidence based information is available.
- Health professionals should be aware of these specific issues when treating a person with Down syndrome.
- Health professionals should not discriminate against people with Down syndrome by:
- refusing to treat them;
- blaming health issues on Down syndrome in general, or;
- considering only specific known health issues which may affect people with Down syndrome.
This year our Huddersfield Down Syndrome Support Group WDSD posters have been created by Sharon Taylor, who kindly donated her time and expertise to showcase some of our HDSSG members in these two great pictures..
We have posted the picture directly below to our public facebook page where it has been viewed over 5000 times – we hope it will reach all corners of the globe!
We are once again thrilled that some local organisations, schools and nurseries in Kirklees are supporting World Down Syndrome Day, we are aware of Grey Fell Academy Day Nursery who are helping their children to sing and sign in Makaton ‘5 Speckled Frogs’ (we hope to be able to share the video with you afterwards!) and Reinwood Junior School who are inviting their pupils to don their brightest, funkiest socks for the occasion. Shabang Theatre are working with their drama group, ‘UpClub’ to create something special and we have had support of local MP’s who have pledged to wear their socks loud and proud too!!
Please let us know if you are celebrating in our area, we would love to acknowledge your efforts!
If you are in/around Yorkshire our friends over at Wakefield & District Down’s Syndrome Support Group are hosting their 4th annual Family Fun Day to celebrate WDSD14. It is a fantastic day out and the attractions are completely FREE all in the stunning surroundings of Nostell Priory and parkland near Wakefield. All the details you need are on the poster below. If you can, please do visit, it’s a brilliant event …
So however you choose to support World Down Syndrome Day 2014 we hope you have a great time.