| President’s Message
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Last year we implemented a change in where we committed to publishing
a newsletter every other month with a reminder postcard on the off months
about upcoming meetings. This was to allow a little more time for
those involved with providing information for the newsletter to get their
information assembled for publication.
It has merely reminded me of how fast time goes by. It seems like
only yesterday that I was commenting on the significance or lack there
of the Year 2000 roll over. Now we are approaching the mid year mark
and I have barely whittled away at some of the goals I have set for myself
personally as well as professionally.
If you are like me you are probably realizing the same thing too.
The Down Syndrome Association continues to be a very active organization.
Our recent Easter party and Conference agenda scheduled for October, along
with our anticipated calendar 2001 project will continue to promote community
awareness in a very positive way. Each volunteer that participates
in these events is positively affecting the community as well as enriching
the lives of so many people.
Again my thanks go out to all those involved in help continue to move
our organization forward in very positive ways.
Our next meeting my brother and I will be providing a live demonstration
of our web site, www.dsat.org and other sites of interest related to information
on Down Syndrome. If you have never seen our web site or do not have
access to the internet this should be an interesting demonstration.
If you are familiar with the site and do have access to the internet, please
bring your comments or favorite sites to share with others and we will
visit them time permitting.
Occasionally I will come across a story of interest that I think might
be appropriate for our audience that receives the newsletter and feel moved
to share it with you. The following is about a prize winning corn
farmer that I hope you enjoy.
There once was a farmer who grew corn. But this farmer didn’t just
grow any corn - he grew award-winning corn. After many years of winning
the state fair contest, his collection of blue ribbons finally attracted
the attention of a newspaper reporter, who came out to the farm for an
interview. He wanted to know the secret of the farmer’s consistent success
and the farmer confessed that it was all because he shared his award-winning
seed corn with his neighbors.
“How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors
when they’re entering corn in the same competition with yours each year?”
the reporter asked.
“Why, sir,” said the farmer, “didn’t you know? The wind picks up
pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my
neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the
quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors
do the same.”
And so it is in our work. If we hoard our best ideas and information
in order to “win the award”, we ultimately lose because of the interconnectedness
of business. If others produce inferior products and services, they will
affect the quality of what we can produce. It is only by freely sharing
our “good seed corn” with others in the organization that we’re able to
create the highest quality products.
Tracey Wilson
DSAT President
(918) 288-7719
OUR NEXT MEETING
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May 18th at 7:00PM
at the Special Olympics Building
Down Syndrome and the internet. We will have web
access (projected for all to see) and will be online and showing many different
web sites pertinent to the Down Syndrome community. If you have a
favorite website or topic you need researched bring it along!
March Recap
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Dr. Jerry Smith, pediatric dentist, talked about the many areas
of dentistry that affect children with DS. He brought samples, detailed
information, and models to help demonstrate different problems. Thank
you to Dr. Smith for the time and effort involved in his presentation.
Our March Mom’s night out was a great success. Gina Nelson
was our wonderful hostess. There was pizza, lots of laughter and
Bunko. Our next mom’s night out will be June 16th at Kimberly Myers’
house.
OKC DS Group
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The group in Oklahoma City is well on their way to getting established
now. They have a great group of people committed to this tremendous
undertaking. The name will be the Down Syndrome Association of Central
Oklahoma. Between the two groups, we hope to be able to reach the
entire state now.
Woman’s World
Magazine
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John, Kim & Nathan Wofford are featured in the Woman’s World
magazine dated May 2 and I must say the photograph is excellent.
Last October the Tulsa World did a story on the calendar and Woman’s World
thought it would make an interesting story. They interviewed Kim extensively.
Hopefully it will help other families realize that what may seem devastating
at first can have a happy ending. Kim is always looking for an avenue to
show DS in a positive light. Thank you Kim!
April Recap
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Easter Eggs, a Bunny and the Hokey Pokey- What more could
you ask for in an Easter Party? We spent a fun-filled Saturday afternoon
at the Allen Ranch hunting eggs, snacking, taking pictures with the Easter
Bunny, and dancing. We had great weather and a great turnout.
The Allen Ranch donated their big barn and we had the “McDJ’s”, Scott and
Micah provide all of the music. Check out the thank you section for
all the great people and businesses that made this celebration possible.
Thanks to ALL of the families who attended, help set up and helped clean
up!
Monthly Meetings
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DSAT meets regularly at the Special Olympics Building at 6835
S. Canton Ave. Located between Sheridan and Yale just north of 71st
Street. There is a Quik Trip on the NW corner of Canton where you
turn. DAY CARE IS PROVIDED in an adjoining room. Please join us at
the next meeting May 18th and mark your calendar for upcoming events.
Newsletter
Note
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The feedback on our new newsletter format has been very positive.
Kendra has done a great job organizing our information. Kendra has
graciously taken on this time consuming position. Thanks Kendra!!
Also, if you have any information to be included in the newsletter,
please contact Kim Wofford 622-6906 and share this with her. Our next publication
will be in early July.
We Need Your Help!
DAST Conference
Big News- We will be having a DS conference on October
27 and 28. This was one of our goals for 2000. Planning has already
begun and things are taking shape. Our conference will be held at
the Mason Center at Asbury United Methodist Church (61st & Sherdian).
Our key note speaker will be Louise Tucker Jones, coauthor of Extraordinary
Kids and well-known orator. Tracey Wilson, our enthusiastic president
is heading up the conference committee but we will need many volunteers.
We will break the conference up into sub committees so no job will be too
big (except Tracey’s!) If you can help in any way please give Tracey
a call. He has a list of volunteers and the areas they might be interested
in helping.
Hallmark Commercial
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Wanted: Adults with DS late 20’s or older: The Arc
of the United States is helping to cast a National Hallmark commercial
for adults with Down syndrome who are late 20’s or older. If you
know of anyone who might be interested in auditioning for this commercial
they can call the Arc at (323)464-2788 or e-mail them at TBooth1255@aol.com
Thank You!
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Dues Paid
David & Rebecca Parrack Alan & Angela Shaull
Deeny Hughey Jay & Karla Jenkins
James & Kelly Johnston Rebecca Reifsteck
Lori Blankenship Virginia Baldridge
Caregivers for
March meeting
Sara Robberson Becca Lazilere
Laura Herd Hailey Herd
Booking Speakers
Janice Bevel Karen Baker
Public Awareness
Kim Wofford-Woman’s World Magazine
Spring Fling Thank You!
Allen Ranch!
The Allen Ranch donated their facility -NO CHARGE to us. Their staff
was friendly and helpful. What more could you ask for! SO go
ride those horses in Bixby at the Allen Ranch!!
Businesses
Show them our thanks by shopping at these great stores:
Wal-mart-Muskogee
Wal-mart Supercenter- Claremore
Reasors
Music
The McDj’s
Scott and Micah McClain
for keeping the party alive with lots of fun music!
Donations
Adam & Tammy Jenkins in memory of Chase
Rebecca Reifsteck
James & Kelly Johnston
Lynette Lambert
Helping Hands
Kimberly Myers
Tracey Wilson
Karla Jenkins
Kim Wofford
Lynette Lambert
Dale McClain
Youth Helpers
Matt Kalla- Helped from beginning to end!
Nikki Michner- stuffed plastic eggs
Abbi Donaho-stuffed plastic eggs
Joy Donaho-stuffed plastic eggs
John Wofford
for donning the
big ears yet again
(could a tradition
be forming?)
Mom’s Night Out
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June 16th
The next mom’s night out will be Friday, June 16th at Kimberly
Myer’s house. If you plan to attend please call Kimberly at 266-3214 by
Wednesday, June 14 and let her know.
Upcoming Monthly
Meetings
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7:00 PM - Special Olympics Building
June 15th Wills Estates & Special Needs Trusts
Curtis Shacklett, Attorney
July 20th Homeschooling Ideas
curriculum resources & learning aids
August 17th Transition Issues
From high school to the work force
September 21st Bit by Bit- Horseback Therapy
November 16th ?
December 9th Christmas Party
Location and time to be announced.
DSAT Conference
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October 27th & 28th
Louise Tucker Jones, coauthor of Extraordinary Kids and well-known
orator will be our keynote speaker. Mark your calendars now, you
will not want to miss this one!
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