Month: March 2017

Posted in Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Awareness

We Rocked the Socks!

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

We Rocked the Socks!

rock your socks

Just three weeks ago, I started a campaign centered around World Down Syndrome Day to raise awareness and funds for The National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS), which is our local support group here in Chicago.  I was approached by We Help Two, which sells these funky socks online.  With each pack purchased, We Help Two donates 60% to NADS.  On top of this, We Help Two also donates a pair of thermal socks which Nick and I will be taking to our local homeless shelter.  My son Nick is 23 years old, he has Down syndrome and autism.

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We have exciting news to share.  After just three weeks in this campaign, we raised $513.00 for The National Association for Down Syndrome!  In addition, 57 people will receive warm socks at our local homeless shelter. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Look who’s rocking the socks……

Nick with his respite workers 🙂

nick jodi kelsey socks

Me rocking the socks……

Me funky socks

Nick’s Aunt and Uncle in Texas 🙂

scott and laura socks

Nick’s Dad with Hormel Food Service group…

Hormel funky socks

My fitness class buddies 🙂

studio one socks

Nick’s respite caregiver, Miss R rocking the socks….

Miss R socks

Nick’s brother and his girlfriend….

hank socks

There’s still a few days left if you would like to order your 3 pack of funky socks, for $15 plus S&H click here:

Order Funky Socks:  https://my.wehelptwo.com/campaign?reset=1&id=373

A special thanks to We Help Two for a WONDERFUL campaign. It was super easy to set online, and the socks are shipped and at your door in two days!  I highly recommend this company.  We Help Two partners with schools, organizations, individuals and non-profits to make twice the difference.  They are truly making a difference by raising funds for organizations, and giving back to the community, with thermal sock donations to local homeless shelters.  What an impact they make, by helping two ways!

wehelptwo

For more information about We Help Two follow on Facebook and click here https:// www.wehelptwo.com

I want to thank everyone for being a part of this campaign, rocking those socks and supporting Down syndrome awareness by purchasing socks and promoting World Down Syndrome Day on social media. Stay tuned for a future blog, when Nick and I take the thermal socks to our local homeless shelter.

That’s what is in my noggin this week!

~Teresa 🙂

Follow Nick:

Down Syndrome With A Slice of Autism on Facebook and Pinterest

#nickdsautism on Instagram

@tjunnerstall on Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Awareness

World Down Syndrome Day

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

world-down-syndrome-day

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), observed on 21 March every year, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.  On this day, people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world organize and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome. Many of these events are recorded on the official World Down Syndrome Day website.  The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

DSAwarenessMagnet

WDSD 2017 Call to action is, #MyVoiceMyCommunity – Enabling people with Down syndrome to speak up, be heard and influence government policy and action, to be fully included in the community.  For more information visit: http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org

My son Nick, is 23 years old and has Down syndrome and autism.  He participates fully in an adult day program, with enriching activities in the facility as well as the community, including volunteer jobs.

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We can all help to promote awareness on social media and spread a positive message for  people with Down syndrome.

Thank you to everyone who ordered funky socks from WeHelpTwo.  Our campaign helped to raise money for The National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS), http://www.nads.org, here in the Chicago area.  In addition, WeHelpTwo  is donating a pair of thermal socks for every pack we sold to our local homeless shelter.  The campaign ends at the end of this month.

warm-sock-photo

To order socks click here:  https://my.wehelptwo.com/campaign?=1&id=373

Nick and I can’t wait to see you all rock your funky socks, tomorrow.  Please post your pictures on our social media sites below!

Together, we can create a loud voice for better understanding, and advocating for rights, inclusion, and well-being for people having Down syndrome.  That’s what’s in my noggin this week.

wdsd2016

~Teresa 🙂

Follow Nick:

Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism on Facebook and Pinterest

#nickdsautism on Instagram

#tjunnerstall on Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Autism, Autism Safety and Wandering, Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Awareness, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Resources for Special Needs

Blog #168~ New Disability Identification Card

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #168~ New Disability Identification Card

This morning, I attended an event presented by Illinois State Representative, Stephanie Kifowit at the Aurora Police Department.   Last year, she sponsored legislation to create a disability awareness card.  Many individuals in our community live with special needs.  Often, their conditions can sometimes make it difficult to communicate in stressful situations.  This new disability wallet card was unveiled to foster better communication for individuals who struggle during these times.

State Representative Stephanie Kifowit….

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This initiative was the idea of School Board President Lori Price, who is a parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Persons with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities may shut down, get nervous, panic or display inappropriate behaviors during high stress situations.  The disability awareness card is a tool, to help individuals quickly identify themselves to first responders and other public figures.   An individual can quickly show this wallet card, which will help to prevent a situation from escalating.

Face it, we all get nervous when being pulled over by a police officer.  Imagine what it must feel like for a person medically diagnosed with an intellectual, developmental or mental disability. This wallet card is different from the state ID card, as it contains the following…..

On this card, these conditions may present a person who:

*Appears deaf or unable to understand

*Has difficulty speaking or communicating

*Engages in repetitive or self-stimulating behaviors such as rocking or hand flapping.  

*Becomes agitated due to physical contact or stressful situations

*Acts indifferent or unresponsive

These conditions are stated on the card along with this statement:

“Please do not interpret my behavior as refusal to cooperate.  To better communicate with me, it can be helpful to speak slowly and clearly, repeat questions and allow time for responses.”

“If those techniques are unsuccessful, I request that you contact the person noted below on my behalf as he/she will confirm my diagnosis and provide information you may need about my identity or condition.”

These cards are free to individuals who have been approved by the Secretary of State’s office for an Illinois Person with a Disability ID card.  

For an application click here @https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com

I applaud State Representative Stephanie Kifowit for taking Lori Price’s idea for this simple card, that will improve communication and help de-escalate high stress situations.  This will assist law enforcement and first responders in keeping our loved ones safe.  Readers , please let me know if an identification card like this has been implemented, where you live.  If not, perhaps it’s time to champion this effort!

That’s what is in my noggin this week. 🙂

~Teresa

Who’s getting funky on World Down Syndrome Day, 3/21?

Deadline for ordering your funky socks for World Down Syndrome Day is this Thursday.  Support our campaign to help The National Association for Down Syndrome and our local homeless shelter by ordering and rocking your socks on, 3/21!  Click here to order: https://my.wehelptwo.com/campaign?reset=1&id=373

Follow Nick:

Down Syndrome With A Slice of Autism on Facebook and Pinterest

#dsautism on Instagram

@tjunnerstall on Twitter