President’s Message
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As I deliberate on what message I may want to present I am thinking
about the warmer weather and what it brings to our daily schedules.
I have been preparing our pool for summer fun and it has brought memories
of last summer.
Ellen really enjoys the water and has already been in several times
this year with her bigger sister, Sarah. While she enjoys the
water she is cautious and stays in very close proximity to the ladder.
You see, holding on to the ladder gives her a sense of security that
allows her to enjoy the water without being afraid. Even when
I try to invite her to come with me to the middle of the pool she becomes
extremely concerned and wants to be positioned back next to the ladder.
It’s too early to tell how far Ellen will venture away from the ladder
this year. My hope is that she will become more comfortable and will
allow herself to experience more than what she has afforded herself so
far.
We all have our ladder’s that keep us secure and comfortable.
But, it is only by stepping out into the middle of the pool that we can
enjoy life to it’s fullest extent and by taking some of those risks that
may seem a little uncomfortable at the time will we realize our rewards.
In words that I often and will always remember from Marilyn LaPointe,
“Oh don’t worry, It’ll be okay”.
Stay cool this summer and I hope to see you at our up coming
Driller’s DSAT Outing.
In Memory
Of Marilyn LaPointe
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In April 2001 Marilyn LaPointe lost her battle with cancer.
DSAT mourns her loss. The entire La Pointe family will continue to
be in our prayers. Wil and Marilyn have been supporters of DSAT almost
since its inception. There is not an aspect of this organization
that hasn’t benefited from their involvement. They have been officers,
fund raisers, & Marilyn single-handedly did the newsletter for years.
Marilyn will be missed by all who have been , are now or will be a part
of DSAT. She was the heart & soul of DSAT. A scholarship
(funded by DSAT) will be named after Marilyn. In addition, our 2002
calendar will be dedicated to her memory.
Personal note: Four years ago, two weeks after Nathan was
born, I had my first contact with DSAT. Marilyn was the person at
the other end of the phone. She was upbeat, supportive and informative.
She told me stories of her then 14year old son, Chris. She invited
John and I to our first DSAT meeting. She continued to be a source
of strength, knowledge and inspiration to me even as we talked while she
was hospitalized. I will always remember her positive spirit and
kind heart. It has long been my wish to make a difference in the
life of a family with a new diagnosis as a way to thank Marilyn for her
compassion when we received Nathan’s diagnosis four years ago. Her
legacy lives on as we all honor her memory by helping others around
us. Thank you Marilyn, I’ll miss you. Kim Wofford
March Recap
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We had a wonderful meeting in March. The Special Olympics
came and gave us information on sports opportunities available for our
kids. This was also an opportunity to showcase some of the young
adults from DSAT that participate in the Special Olympics events.
DSAT hopes to formalize plans to sponsor trips to both the Winter
& Summer 2002 games. The Special Olympics organization has been
supportive to DSAT for many years and we greatly appreciate it.
April Recap
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In April we had our Spring Celebration at Safari’s Exotic Wildlife
Park. The turnout was great. The volunteers at the park were
wonderful . We all had a chance to see many animals up close.
The kids had a big Easter egg hunt and the Easter Bunny surprised us with
a visit. Kimberly Myers went above and beyond in her party
duties! A big thank you to Kimberly and all the folks at Safari’s.
May Recap
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We got a chance to talk with Allison Finch, audiologist, about
hearing, ear anatomy and tubes at our May meeting. Allison brought
lots of information packets that were very helpful. Thanks
Allison, for educating us about the aspects of hearing in a person with
Down syndrome.
2002 Calendar
Update
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The calendar project this year has been organized and efficient
due to a great committee. The calendar committee consists of Lynette
Lambert, Jenn Martin, Teressa McHenry, Kristen Pope, Rebecca Reifsteck
and Kim Wofford. Committee members helped decide photo shots, attended
shoots, sent out letters, developed sponsor forms and made countless phone
calls. By the time you read this newsletter, all of the photo shoots will
be completed and the calendar will be well on its way to the printer.
Our projected completion date is September 1st. We are having individual
sponsors on each page so if you know of a company interested in sponsoring
a page please contact one of the committee members.
Good news!
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Curtis Bradshaw was entered in a regional art contest through the Salvation
Army Boys and Girls Club. He was the only child with a disability and the
judges were unaware that he had a disability. He won 3 of the 12 first
place ribbons and 2 of the second.
His art was then sent to the State Special Olympics Art Contest for
entrance there. There were 500 participants. They had 10 trophies to be
awarded for the
entire show. Curtis won two of them. He also won 3 first place ribbons.
The judges liked his somewhat abstract painting. One of his works is entitled
“A Dog and His Boy.” We’ll keep you updated on his first “show.”
Thank You!
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Thank you to the following contributors. We
couldn’t do it without you:
Dues Paid
Stacie Hough
Myra Fadley
Ron & Keni Boland
James & Kelly Johnston
Steven & Kim Woodruff
JeanAnn’s School of Dance
Greg & Bonnie Reber
David & Donna Beekman
Alan & Angie Shaull
Carey & Dana Robinson
Linda & Jack Carter
David & Rebecca Parrack
Michael Daylor
Kirwin & MaryJane Scott
Contributions In Memory Of
Marilyn LaPointe
Virginia Baldridge
Gary & Lynette Lambert
John & Kim Wofford
Caregivers for
March & May meetings
Hannah Edgmon
Annah Buckingham
Jesse Luper
Thanks Again
Incor, Inc
Kimberly Myers
Safari’s Exotic Wildlife Park
Special Thanks
The Southwestern Bell Pioneer Life Member Club chose DSAT to receive
a fax machine. Cap Dunn presented the fax to our officers at the
May meeting. Thank you Southwestern Bell!!
Calendar
DSAT Meetings
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June 21st - Orthopedic Issues in Down syndrome
July - 14th 6:30p.m. Drillers outing Picnic at Drillers Stadium followed
by game
August 16th - Miss Shelly of “Miss Shelly’s Dance Studio”
September 20th - Jan Pride of Happy Hands (sign language)
October - Fall Festival and Celebration Of Down Syndrome Awareness
Month
November 15th - “Handwriting Without Tears”
December 8th - Christmas Party
Newsletter Deadlines
Share with us about your summer fun. Have your announcements,
stories and information to Kim Wofford by July 12th for the August, 2001
newsletter. It is our hope to provide the most current information.
FOR
SALE
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White polo shirts with DSAT logo $20
White canvas hats with DSAT logo $10
“Far Different Places”
(inspirational music) CD $10
Tape $6
Video tape of all calendar
pictures set to music $10
and of course CALENDARS! $12
Items will be available at all meetings and parties or by contacting
any officer.
We Need
Your Help!
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Sponsorship for the
2002 Calendar
We would love to have your stories;
a cute story, school or sport successes,
dates of interesting meetings, or conferences
to put in the newsletter.
If you find it entertaining or interesting, others will too.
So call Kim Wofford at 622-6906 or email her at: woffordnate@webzone.net
and help us personalize your newsletter.
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DISCLAIMER: The Down Syndrome Association Of Tulsa does
not promote, recommend or endorse any service, professional or organization.
Decisions regarding the use of any service, professional or organization
are the sole responsibility of the family or guardian.
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