Advocating for your child

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone

As a parent, I feel that the best thing that I can do for my son Tim is to

advocate for him. Throughout his life I have paved the way to ensure that others

understand his mosaic Down syndrome and accept him for who he is. It has always

been my goal for others to not stand in his way of accomplishing his goals and

to treat him with the same respect they would anyone else. Over the years,

without any information or support on mosaic Down syndrome this has been a

lonely and difficult road. Now, thankfully we have International Mosaic Down

Syndrome Association to make not only my road, but also everyone elses much less

lonely and difficult. I am glad we can provide the information and support

needed.

I feel as a parent it is your responsiblility to your child to advocate for

them. If you do not educate your community on the wonderful possibilities for

your child, then no one else will and your child's future in the adult world

could very well not be a very easy road.

This is why we designed Genes Day! This gives you a great opportunity to

discuss mosaic Down syndrome where you wouldn't normally discuss it. It allows

you to teach the schools, and this is important because those children one day

may be your child's employer and more importantly will be your child's friend.

It allows you to teach your workplace-because one day that may be your child's

place of business and it helps your co-workers have a better understanding of

your life. It allows you to teach your community-because this is where your

child lives and everyone in the community needs to accept your child and show

them the respect they deserve!

If you have not yet made a team for Genes Day, please do so now! We have

placed our new Genes Day logo (designed by Judie and Therese Hockel) on our

site. This logo will be on our special Genes Day T-shirts! To see the logo and

sign up for a team just go to: www.imdsa.com/genesday.htm

On Monday, I will be telling you more about the prizes. The top three

fundraisers will receive fantastic prizes! I haven't totaled up the amounts for

each team yet, but it is well over $300 in prizes (probably way more than that)

for each team!

Spread the word and pave the road for your child's future!

Wear your Jeans on Genes Day!

Kristy