Just click on the link below. Linda's interview will come up and you can play the video and read the article. Very cool! I think she did a great job, she is so poised. Thanks again Linda for all you do. http://www.khon2.com/news/local/9843912.html
Edited: December 10, 2006 / 1:01am by Darryl
Frank Delima - Buddy Walk October 27th
Local Comedian Frank Delima with Greg, Brian, Luke and Daniel doing a Public Service Announcement for the Buddy Walk Saturday October 27th at the Kapiolani Bandstand. Check out the Buddy Walk page for more information. Be watching for the PSA on TV as the event approaches. We'll try to keep you informed when it might be on.
Special thanks to Frank and his heart for our folks.
Edited: December 09, 2006 / 4:01pm by Darryl
We need information on Full Inclusion in Hawaii
We have a new family moving to Hawaii and they have had their a 4th grade child in the full inclusion program in California. They have been having problems finding information or receptive schools here. We are looking for any information, leads, or success stories with full inclusion.
A big Mahalo to The Hawaii Down Syndrome Congress members for supporting this legislation with your testimonies from Start to Finish!
Passed and Ready for Action! House Bill HB531: Task force/study for preschool age children with developmental delays and disabilities, involves lots of agencies/state/university/Board of Education and at least two parents. Would you like to be a part of this force or know someone who would?
Passed and Ready for Action! Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR17: Asks the Department of Education to report to the Legislature a study of educational implications of disabilities in preschool age children. Your input is valuable.
Vetoed and Ready for Next Year! Senate Bill SB613: Special education preschool improvements, emphasizing parents and inclusion, and includes amendments to Statutes. Governor Linda Lingle wants to wait until last year’s Act 259 Early Childhood Task Force completes a study before making any positive changes to our early childhood programs.
Until then, we can teach the Board of Education of what changes they can make now.
Take every chance you get to tell others about what’s important to you and your family!
Linda Elento, mom of Jason
808-235-7610
Edited: December 07, 2006 / 11:01am by Darryl
Possible Help For Disabled Keiki
Check out this article about Linda Elento and the recently passed legistlation to help children with disabilities. Thanks Linda for your hardwork and persistence.
We had about 50 folks out for the this event and it was great getting to see old friends and meet some new ones.
We voted on the new by-laws, which passed with no problem.
The kids had a blast with the Easter Egg Hunt and all the wonderful prizes.
Wow! The food was so good and there was so much. Typical Hawaii - with such a wide variety of food from pizza to sushi.
Thanks everyone for making it a wonderful event.
Edited: December 04, 2006 / 1:00pm by Darryl
Aubrey Scores at AYSO VIP Soccer
Our family stepped forward to start an AYSO VIP Program in our area, called the "Mililani Miracles!" The AYSO VIP Program is for children with special needs.
This past Saturday Aubrey (8 with Down syndrome) participated in the local AYSO Kirk Banks VIP Tournament. This was the first time the "Miracles" participated in the Kirk Bank's Tournament, but Aubrey's third time playing, since she had played twice before with her old team-"The Dolphins..."
Aubrey was so excited to play in this tournament that she barely slept the night before. By the end of the game she had scored more than ten goals-(TRULY!) Her former skills trainer, who was her Buddy on the field was in awe of her efforts!
After the VIP games were over, the statewide AYSO VIP Director called each of the forty plus players up to receive their medals. Aubrey kept screaming for her to call her name and we all kept saying/signing to her to "please be quiet and sit down and wait her turn..."
When they finally called Aubrey's name, she jumped up and screamed/signed "YAY!" all the way up to the VIP Director. As she received her medal, her friends from her former team "The Dolphins" started chanting loudly for her-"Au-brey! Au-brey! Au-brey" and her "Miracle" teammates joined in (!) to create an ovation the likes of what we had not seen all day!
As the tears welled up in my eyes, and our parents,buddies and fellow players watched her walk back to our team with pride, I thought I had witnessed the great miracle of the day...
We are a non-profit organization of families and professionals concerned with all aspects of Down syndrome. Down syndrome a developmental disability that occurs in 1 in 733 live births in the U.S. Founded in 1985, in Honolulu, Hawaii we are affiliated with the National Down Syndrome Congress in National Down Syndrome Society.
Mission Statement:
he aim of the HAWAII DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS is to foster self advocacy and self confidence in families and persons with Down syndrome. We are building a sense of community and fellowship for all persons concerned with Down syndrome. We provide the latest updates on education and research to parents and professionals throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Currently we provide:
outreach to parents with newborns with Down syndrome
social functions to foster fellowship and interaction
public relation activities to inform the general public
meetings that provide emotional and psychological support
services as activists and advocates on behalf of children with special needs
