Photo courtesy of Positive Exposure in collaboration with the Golisano Foundation.
Living a full and healthy life with Down Syndrome
“The minute our daughter was born, the hospital room went silent. Where there should have been ‘Congratulations’ and ‘It’s a Girl’, there were awkward glances, whispering nurses, and doctors highlighting only difficulties and challenges. Right from the start, the only thing people saw was the one thing that would set her apart… instead of focusing on the overwhelming similarities with the other babies born that day. This is why the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area is so important in our community. Not only do they provide resources and support for families like ours but they also educate and advocate within the community.”
This is just one of many testimonials written by parents who turned to the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area for support–and found so much more.
The Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA) is a non-profit organization passionate and dedicated to encouraging the unlimited potential in children and adults with Down syndrome since 1998.
DSCBA consists of a group of caring individuals, educators, therapists and involved community members whose passion and commitment is to serve families who have members born with Down syndrome. They do this through education, advocacy, support groups for the entire family and developmental based classes for babies, children, teens and adults.
The goal of the DSCBA is to enrich the child and adults lives through pre-academic, academic, language skills and social/behavioral interaction, ultimately preparing them for community integration as a valuable participant and contributor.
Health and Aging
The Special Hope Foundation awarded a grant to the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA) for two extraordinary events that focus on health and aging for adults with Down Syndrome.
One event will be preceded by a series of steering committee meetings with area agencies culminating in a Summit on Down Syndrome, other intellectual disabilities, and aging and how agencies can improve access to healthcare and other services to this population.
The other event will be a day-long conference for parents, educators, and agencies in the Bay Area on healthcare issues and resources for individuals with Down syndrome across the life-cycle, with a particular emphasis on adults and older adults.
We are thankful to the Down Syndrome Connection of the East Bay for recognizing the importance of healthcare access for adults, not just with Down Syndrome, but with other Intellectual Disabilities as well.
Learn more about DSCEB here.
The mission of the Special Hope Foundation is to promote the establishment of comprehensive health care for adults with developmental disabilities designed to address their unique and fundamental needs.