Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

Here is a little video I made to help celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 3-21.  A huge thank you to my friends in the Nebraska Down syndrome community, and the on-line Down syndrome community who shared photos of your precious kiddos so that I could make this video.  Feel free to share it to spread positive Down syndrome awareness.

At school we are celebrating with blue and yellow cupcakes that have festive Birthday balloons and sprinkles since Ben celebrated his 8th Birthday yesterday.  He was super excited to go to the pot luck for the High School Boys Basketball team to celebrate their C2 State Runner Up Basketball season.

In addition to cupcakes, each kid will get a coupon for a free Subway cookie attached to a Random Acts of Kindness cards

Everyone have an awesome World Down Syndrome Day!

World Down Syndrome Day Awareness Walk

Our new group, Down Syndrome Advocates in Action Nebraska is hosting a mall walk for to raise awareness for the upcoming World Down Syndrome Day. #wdsd16

Ben's Brigade will be there and invites you to join us on March 19, 2016 at Gateway Mall in Lincoln NE between 9:30 and noon and walk laps in the mall.  In order to qualify for the raffle you need to wear a shirt or button that promotes Down syndrome awareness.  Register for the event here.

You can wear a shirt or button you already have or wear a new World Down Syndrome day long or short sleeved shirt or button.  The deadline for pre-orders has passed, but a few extra short sleeve shirts of each size were ordered.  Email bensbrigadene@gmail.com to see if your size shirt is still in stock.   Buttons can be ordered until March 12, 2016 .  Proceeds from the sale of these items go to DSAA Nebraska.

$14

$17

We also have a few Ben'x Brigade shirts available too.  These short sleeve shirts are $10 each.  Contact me to see if I have any left in your size.

$10

We hope you can join us, but even if you can't, we hope you can celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, 2016 where ever you are. #WDSD2016 

.

World Down Syndrome Day 2016

World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, 2016 will be here before we know it.  March 21st was chosen to be recognized as  World Down Syndrome day because of its date 3-21, to represent the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome that individuals with Down syndrome possess.  #wdsd2016

This year Ben's Brigade is kicking off our fundraising efforts a bit early to help celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.  We created our own new design, because we wanted shirts in the traditional awareness colors of blue and yellow that were not dated, so they could be worn every year on March 21st. We also wanted a design that's sole purpose is to promote Down syndrome awareness and not advertise for any specific group.   This design will be offered on both long and short sleeve t-shirts and 3.5 inch photo buttons available with a pin or magnet backing.  Pre-ordering of this shirt design is now closed.  We do have a limited number of shirt available for purchase.  Email bensbrigadene@gmail.com to see if your size is still available.  Proceeds from the sale of this shirt will be donated to the newly forming Down Syndrome Advocates in Action group.  We would love it if you would share this post with anyone who might be interested in promoting positive Down syndrome awareness on World Down Syndrome Day.

Thank You!

Ben's Birthday, World Down Syndrome Day and Ben's Brigade Fundraiser.

Today is Ben's 6th Birthday.  It has been a wonderful journey and we have been blessed to have Ben in our lives.  I will admit that it has not always been easy, (like today at the Doctors office with his annual blood draw), but it has always been more than worth it.  So enjoy this video that covers Ben's first 6 years, includes some facts about Down syndrome and an invitation to join us tomorrow,   March 21 and celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing lots of socks, where ever you are.

And if you happen to be in South East Nebraska, join us on Saturday March 22,  for the 

2nd Annual Ben's Brigade Birthday Party and Fundraiser

World Down Syndrome Day 2013

March 21st, is World Down Syndrome Day. This day was selected because Down syndrome or Trisomy 21 happens when there are 3 copies of the 21st chromosome.   To celebrate and to help raise awareness please wear socks…BUT NOT JUST ANY SOCKS…brightly colored socks, mismatched socks, long socks, printed socks, 1 sock…maybe even 3 socks (or EXTRA socks) for 3 chromosomes. Just so long as they are socks which are on display and people will ask you about. Take that moment to let someone else know about the special person in your life that has Down syndrome. Have Fun!  

For more information visit http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/lots-of-socks

 

Happy World Down Syndrome Day

Today is the day we join hands all around the world to celebrate our loved ones who were specially blessed with an extra chromosome.  While trying to decide what to post today, I went back over the powerpoint that my oldest John did for his 4-H club about World Down Syndrome day 2 years ago, and found that everything about it still applies.  It is very similar to the one he did for the fair that year, and got Grand Champion at our county fair and a purple ribbon at our state fair.  This is the presentation he started with:

 If you would like to read more on World Down Syndrome Day, click here to go to the World Down Syndrome Day link up. 

March is a Time to Celebrate!

March is a month to celebrate at our house. One of the most important dates we celebrate is Ben's Birthday. It is hard to believe that Ben is going to be 4 years old on March 20th. We really appreciate all the love and support that our local communities have given to our family.

When we first got Ben’s diagnosis of Down syndrome, we were worried about him being accepted and having friends. Those fears were soon put to rest as we attended community events. He is welcomed with smiles, high fives or waves wherever we go and Ben is usually more than happy to return the gesture. While we have been blessed with such great community support, not everyone is so lucky.

We would like to invite everyone to help us celebrate Ben’s Birthday by standing up for all individuals with intellectual disabilities. Wednesday March 7, 2012 is an important day that has been designated by the Special Olympics organization as Spread the Word to End the Word Day.

Spread the Word to End the Word is an on-going effort to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word. The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support at  http://r-word.org/ and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

We’re asking every person - young and old - to help eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word–a common taunt used to make fun of others. Often unwittingly, the word is used to denote behavior that is clumsy, hapless, and even hopeless. But whether intentional or not, the word conjures up a painful stereotype of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It hurts. Even if you don’t mean it that way.  If you pledge to Spread the Word to End the word in honor of Ben, please leave a comment at the end of this post.

 World Down Syndrome Day
Another important event this month is World Down Syndrome Day.   The date was selected by Down Syndrome International (DSI) to signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome and is used synonymously with Down syndrome. 

21 March 2012 marks the 7th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day and for the first time in 2012 this day will be officially observed by the United Nations.  The voice of those with Down syndrome, and those who love them is getting louder.  Can you hear us? 



 Thank you for your continued support, and for helping us to celebrate during this exciting month of March!