T21 Traveling Afghan Project

I don't even remember how I heard about the T21 Traveling Afghan Project thinking back. It must have been threw another Blog that I read. Anyway, it's a great project by Chandos and she works very hard on it. It's a great way to unite families. This is a snippet of what she writes about the project -

"There is a very special blanket making it's way from one family to another all over the world. The common tie? Down syndrome. Each family who receives the afghan for one week has a member with T21. They get the blanket, take photos with their family and pass the blanket (and an accompanying journal) on to the next recipient. One blanket. Fifty US states. Many countries. Hundreds of families. One common thread!"

That's fantastic, isn't it?!?!

Also, here is a link that you can see to look at some of the pictures of the children and their families who have received the blankets.

Until Next Time!
Lots of Love,
Erica

College Bound

The Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center has paired with East Stroudsburg University to create a special program for children with Down Syndrome. This year 6 of the center's kids were enrolled and they LOVE it! A big thank you to ESU for caring about our kids!

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica

Toy Guide

The 2010 Toys“R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids Has Arrived!

Toys“R”Us, Inc. has released the 2010 edition of the Toys“R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids®, an easy-to-use toy selection resource that can help parents of children with special needs select toys that develop skills through the power of play. This year, actress, author, philanthropist and mother of a son with autism, Holly Robinson Peete appears on the cover, along with Tommy Austing, a 5-year-old boy from Beverly Hills, CA. Last year, Whoopi Goldberg was featured on the cover.
All toys featured in the Guide are available at Toys“R”Us® stores nationwide and online. “Flippable” and downloadable digital versions in both English and Spanish are available here.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica

NDSS & Prudential

National Down Syndrome Society Joins Forces with Prudential
Alliance will aid families in planning for the financial future of loved ones with special needs

New York, NY - August 16th, 2010. The Prudential Insurance Company of America, based in Newark, NJ, will provide members of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) support in the area of financial literacy as a result of an agreement the two organizations announced today.

“We’re excited to work with Prudential to help people with Down syndrome and their families learn more about planning for their future financial needs,” said Jon Coleman, president of NDSS. “Both organizations have a vested interest in increasing awareness in this area as well as creating additional resources and opportunities for our members.”

Through the agreement, Prudential will host informational webinars and participate in local NDSS chapter activities including Buddy Walks. “Our involvement with NDSS reflects Prudential's commitment to serving the particular financial needs of growing diverse markets,” said Joan Cleveland, senior vice president, Business Development, Individual Life Insurance. "The work NDSS does is invaluable and we’re proud to leverage their extensive experience and join them as an advocate for the special needs community.”

Over the last year, a core team of Prudential and independent financial professionals located across the country have been trained to address the unique financial concerns of families caring for loved ones with special needs through the company’s program, Special Needs Solutions…For All Ages. Specifically, financial professionals in the program can help families:

• Understand how a special needs trust, a document prepared by an attorney with expertise in special needs law, protects an individual’s eligibility for government assistance such as Supplemental Security Income and/or Medicaid. Assets held by the trust for the benefit of someone with special needs should be used to supplement—not replace—government assistance.
• Select the proper insurance and financial products to help fund the special needs trust.

• Get started with a Letter of Intent, a non-binding document which states a family’s wishes for their loved one's future with regard to health issues, educational goals, housing, etc., and the means to support those wishes.

“We understand that providing financially for a family member with special needs isn't a simple task. That’s one of the reasons we’re focusing our efforts on supporting this community,” added Cleveland.

To date, over 140 Prudential and independent financial professionals have participated in the Special Needs Solutions…For All Ages program. After completing a comprehensive three-day training course, participants stay up-to-date on current issues through ongoing discussions. For additional information about Special Needs Solutions…For all ages or to locate a financial professional who specializes in servicing the special needs community visit www.prudential.com/specialneeds.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica

Apple Festival

On Saturday we went to the Apple Festival in Gettysburg. I didn't take any pictures there because it was pretty crowded. Afterwards we stopped at the Boyds Bear Factory. It's a big place and you could spend a lot of time looking around there. Isabella always likes the displays they have out front.

Raymond's surgery is tomorrow so I will post about that when I have a chance. We are heading down to the Ronald McDonald House today around lunchtime. In the meantime, I did schedule a post for Tuesday morning so that I can keep up with the 31 for 21 project. I will not be on the computer but as soon as I get a chance I'll let you know how Raymond is doing.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica

Sunday Night TV

This evening at 8:00pm EST, on ABC, Extreme Makeover Home Edition will be airing an episode about a family with 6 children, all who have Down Syndrome. I'll be watching...and crying no doubt. Watch the sneak peak here.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica

This Month...

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. I'm going to do my best to be apart of the 31 for 21 campaign. The goal is to blog everyday in the month of October for Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21). The posts don't need to be related to Down Syndrome but I think I'm going to do my best to make that my theme this month. I will try to post facts or other information about Down Syndrome that you may not know. I'll continue to post our everyday things but you'll see some smaller informative posts from me. I posted something yesterday, so for today, I want to share with you a company that was gracious enough to donate a lot of time and money for our cause and our kids. Next time you go see a movie maybe this will help you decide which theatre to go to.

Regal Entertainment Group Set to Air Buddy Walk PSA

The Regal Entertainment Group has agreed to donate three weeks of air time to promote the Buddy Walk. The 30-second Buddy Walk PSA will air nationwide on 7,200 screens before every movie from September 17th to October 8th.

Now that's awesome!

Until Next Time,

Lots of Love,

Erica