Testimonials

“We are so thankful to have the Down syndrome Connection as a resource in our lives. Recently we were able to have an AAC evaluation at our school with DSC’s AAC Specialist Kati Skulski. Because of this evaluation…our school district approved and paid for an iPad mini for our daughter and she is using it in class and in speech”.

“It was great to see Martha and everyone in the Grandparents group today. This group really lifts my spirits and thank you all for being so warm and making me and my new little granddaughter feel like celebrities”.

“The kids that she has met in DSC Step classes along the way make up her social circle today. Not only has our daughter derived so much in the way of learning and enhanced self-esteem from her involvement in the classes, she has also been given the opportunity to "give back" by volunteering as a teacher's aide at the Down Syndrome Connection”.

“I would like to say that without the valuable insight and support provided by Jennifer Cooper and the DS Connection of the Bay Area… our journey through education would be a nightmare. Today’s lay parent is ill prepared to interface with school districts let alone fight for the unknown rights of a child with a learning disability. KUDO’s to DS Connection of the Bay Area”!

“I have a boy with Down Syndrome who has benefited tremendously from this organization as well as services for me. I don’t know what I would have done without them. Nancy Labelle is “on fire” for our kids and goes above and beyond to make things happen they can thrive in the community”.

“Thank you for offering information and techniques to Bay Area school districts that I can apply in my every day interactions with my student who has Down syndrome.”

"My daughter cannot wait to go to Step Class each week to see her friends".

"We cannot say enough about the amazing staff and families we've been lucky to connect with at the DSCBA and of the programs and resources available".

"The DSC has been a wonderful place for my daughter to bond with new friends and learn all at the same time".

"The Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area is an amazing resource and has been a part of our life from the day we brought our baby home from the hospital."

"The Connection has provided us with countless (and very helpful) workshops, support groups, and love!"

"I've heard my mom say again and again that she just doesn't know what she would do without the DSC".

"The DSCBA has played a key role in helping me advocate for my son."

"Our first meeting at the Down Syndrome Connection changed everything… Martha’s words gave us hope and a new direction, one that would not have been found if not for the Down Syndrome Connection".

"The Connection not only helps the children and adults with Down Syndrome, but ALL the family members".

"We have met fabulous families and little ones at the DSCBA that have shown us that kids with Down Syndrome are just like any other kid!"

"When we first walked through the doors of the DSCBA, we wondered when and if we would get “here”. The DSCBA has been such an important part of our journey and they continue to provide support to hundreds of individuals with Ds and their families through various programs, support groups, advocacy, education support and other resources. . This year, the DSCBA launched an alliance with a number of local school districts to support and provide training for school personnel… something I am particularly excited about"!

"Our daughter is having a great year as she approaches her 6th birthday in October; she has improved her speech considerably, is becoming a good swimmer, and is making friends with her typical peers at Kindergarten. These achievements are made possible in large part by the great work of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area, an organization that has been instrumental in improving her skills in speech and general development".

"Our son is at the Down Syndrome Connection regularly for speech therapy and play groups. We use The Connection for resources, questions, and connecting with other families like ours with a family member with Down syndrome. Ella has expressed interest in meeting other kids who have a sibling with Down syndrome, so we'll get her involved with the sibling support group soon. These are just some ways that The Connection helps us and there are countless ways they touch other families, too".

"When our son was born with Down Syndrome, 'The Connection' quickly became a key part of our lives. It was, and still is, a sweet and sorely needed combination of a living library of information, genuine compassion, complete support and a warm Grandma's hug - all rolled into one. A built in family member who has been there and done that when you need them the most".

"We are so lucky to have this (DSCBA) incredibly knowledgeable group as a resource for us. Over the past 21 months since our daughter was born we have had so many questions. All the answers have come from DSCBA or families we've met through them. We are so fortunate to have such a valuable resource in the Bay Area. We love this organization and appreciate what they give to us, to other families we have met and what they give back to the community".

"The DSCBA workshops, advocacy groups, outreach programs, and support groups are just a few examples of the resources available to our family and hundreds of families in the bay area. DSCBA has welcomed our family into a community of individuals who are giving, understanding and caring".

"Our son has made such great strides since we became affiliated with this amazing group of people. They have advocated for him, held us when we were upset and didn't know where else to turn, and gave us incredible resources to help him become the most incredible being he can be in this life".

"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 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".

"The DSCBA is an incredible non-profit organization who are dedicated to encouraging the unlimited potential in children and adults with Down Syndrome. And they don't just help the individuals with Down Syndrome but also their families...I don't know what we would do without them!!! They have helped us so much and have changed our lives by opening our world to such an amazing community!!For those of you who don't know our story...Our daughters diagnosis almost 2 years ago was a total surprise to us, in fact we didn't find out she had DS until the day after she was born. As a new parent your world turns upside down with news like this and all kinds of misperceptions start flooding in. This is where having a strong support network of family and friends and also an organization like the DSCBA makes such a huge difference for families. My husband and I still attend parent support groups and our daughter loves going to music therapy every month, along with her speech therapy she gets at the Connection. We have made some amazing friends and those are bonds you just can't break".

"Our daughter is doing so wonderful and it is in no small part due to the programs and support of the Down Syndrome Connection".

"I've been attending my Step In class for the past 7-1/2 years at the Down Syndrome Connection and it has been so much fun and really helpful in helping me with social skills and meeting some great people. The good news is they let me keep coming no matter my age and won't kick me out now that I am 22, most programs do that to you but not the Down Syndrome Connection".

"This amazing organization has provided an incredible amount of support to our family and many other families in the Bay Area. Their goal is to help kids with Down syndrome reach their maximum potential and to provide their families the love and resources they need".

"The Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area has been of great assistance to us since we found out our son was to be born with Down syndrome. It is a great resource for children and adults with Down Syndrome, and the families of these children and adults".

"You can look at their website, dsconnection.org, and see all the amazing things they are offering people of all ages who have Down syndrome. We have had the pleasure of utilizing some of the programs they offer as well as attending free seminars and using their free lending library! They are a great asset for the Down syndrome community"!

"Our son just celebrated his 5th birthday after having a another year of tremendous growth and achievement. He started transitional kindergarten in our local school district and is already making friends with his typical peers. He is talking more than ever and tries really hard to make sure he is understood. He continues to make strides in eating and feeding. These achievements are made possible in large part by the great work of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area; an organization that has been an incredible resource for information, classes, therapy and support for us".

"So many people kindly ask about our sons well-being, and it is so heartwarming. He is such an enthusiastic little boy and we want him to experience all the great things this world has to offer. One thing he really loves is music. He is calmed when we sing to him, and he loves hearing different songs from the stereo. Also, he really loves the monthly music therapy class he goes to at DSCBA. He stares at the lead therapist like she is an amazing goddess, and he even has started to 'dance' (spinning in circles, waving his arms in the air)".

"As you probably know 7months ago we were blessed with a beautiful new son, who happens to have Down Syndrome. He has brought so much joy and love to our family. But with this special blessing comes a lot of hard work, teaching, learning, patience, love, listening, and sheer determination. And I am not just talking about us. I am talking about the wonderful people and the Down Syndrome Connection. Without them I don’t know what we would have done. The incredible volunteer’s here have helped us in so many ways I can’t even count them. They offer so much knowledge and support. Our son will be able to thrive and grow in ways he probably would not have had the chance to without them. These families put in so much time and effort just to help those of us who are going thru this new journey they deserve so much more than I will ever be able to repay".

"As you all may know by now, we have a niece who was born with Down Syndrome. The family has been receiving great support from this wonderful organization, the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area since the day my sister and her husband received the call informing them of the life changing news".

"The Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area has been a tremendous source of support to our family. Their education advocacy has been especially helpful as we have navigated the school system in preparation for our sons kindergarten year...which is off to a great start! The DSCBA provides much needed support for all those touched by Down syndrome, their families, and educators".

"The Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area. They provide resources and services for individuals just like me! Last year, they helped me put a plan together for school so that I can learn just like my brother! Their office is so cool! They keep special books and videos so my friends and I can learn better. They really are a special group of people who try to help us grow to our fullest potentia"l.

"We've seen firsthand the impact that Down Syndrome Connection has made in the life of our cousin and his family. It is an amazing organization run by dedicated people who help those affected by Down Syndrome to live lives of grace and dignity. The help they've given Mason and his parents and extended family is indescribable".

"I've been involved for the past year with a group called the Down Syndrome Connection...and they've been awesome! I've met lots of great friends and have learned a ton from them. They work so hard, every day, to help make sure that I, and other kids and adults with Down Syndrome, have all of the same opportunities as everyone else to become the best that we can be".

"I was born almost one year ago and have enjoyed life so far. I have received love and support from the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area. My mommy and dad did not know where to start when I was born, but the Down Syndrom Connection was able to help them".

"Someone I love very much has benefited greatly from the services provided by the Connection - my awesome 7-year-old nephew.. He and his parents started receiving services from the moment he was born, including speach therapy, parent support groups, school and medical advocacy, and much more".

FROM SOME OF THE BAY AREA EDUCATORS WHO BENEFIT FROM OUR SERVICES:

“Fantastic course! Huge learning curve w/ this population and I am so appreciative of the support and collaboration?”

“Thank you so much…both educational and motivating.”

“Thank you for offering information and techniques that I can apply in my every day interactions with my student who has Down syndrome.”

“I really appreciate the DSCBA offering this and other educational courses. The most informative I have found to help me do my job effectively.”

“Anyone who works with a student with Down syndrome should be required to attend.”

“What a great presentation…lots of useful strategies and information.”

“Thank you for this very informative workshop…what an inspiration.”

“I am overwhelmed and I can’t wait to try out some of these tools.”

“Amazing, informative, and SO helpful! Thank you!”