My little monkey

My little monkey is learning to pill a banana by himself. We usually pill the banana for him and cut it in little pieces he can eat with the fork, but I thought it is about time he can learn to pill the banana by himself. I cut the end and I pill the banana just at the beginning and I give it to him. He finishes pilling the banana, but I check he takes all the skin off because sometimes he leaves one side of the banana with the skin. This is an easy way to put the hand fine muscles to work and gain independence while having fun. I laugh a lot looking at my little monkey learning to pill a banana. Enjoy the photos of my little monkey eating banana.

Act Now to Save Funding for Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with different abilities

From the National Down Syndrome Society:

Act Now to Save Funding for Posseconday Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

SUMMARY:

Congress is currently considering two budgets: one to fund programs for the rest of the current year (fiscal year 2011) and one to provide funding for the next fiscal year (2012).

The Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008 included a new program to provide opportunities specifically for students with intellectual disabilities, called “Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education, or TPSIDs.”

So far, this new program has not been cut in any of the funding bills under consideration.  However, so many programs are being cut or eliminated advocates are concerned that this new program will be targeted.

In addition, the President’s funding proposal for next year (FY 2012) would consolidate or mix the program into another program.  Advocates are concerned that if that happens we could lose the focus on serving individuals with intellectual disabilities.

TAKE ACTION:

Contact your Senators, in person or by phone/email with the following message:  

Please support funding to continue the Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education (TPSID) and the TPSID National Coordinating Center by the Office of Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education. These demonstration projects are developing models of effective ways to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities have access to postsecondary education and increased employment outcomes. These programs should be protected and supported in the FY 2011 and FY 2012 funding bills.

Click on TAKE ACTION NOW!. This link will take you to the website of the National Down Syndrome Sociaty (NDSS) where you can directly email to your Senator using the NDSS Mail System. You just have to fill out the electronic form. 

Your support is important for my son and my family. We believe every person with physical and cognitive challanges deserve be included as an active member of our society through a higher education as any other typical person. Your support will contribute on building a better future for our son, Tommy. Thanks for your support!

Looking for an University for my baby boy

Should I think about a higher education for my child who has Trisomy 21?
I have always known the answer, YES! We have never lost the illusion of a bright future for our son, not even when we got the positive results for Trisomy 21 when Tommy was an unborn baby. 

Email announcing we were expecting a baby boy with Trisomy 21.

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:37:52

Hi everyone,

Adam and I have a great news to announce (Some of you may already know what it is). We are expecting a baby boy! We are very excited because we truly want to have a son and God has blessed us with one. A surprise came with this great news that we weren't expecting, but we have accepted because we love our son no matter what. Our baby boy has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. It was a little bit shocking in the beginning, but we are happy and enjoying our pregnancy because we love our baby without limits.

85% of unborn babies are aborted for having Down syndrome in the USA every year. These babies are just killed because they are not what their parents were expecting. Some how, we are glad that we are the ones in this situation because we have the courage to fight for our unborn baby.

Down syndrome is not too bad as many people think. They are able to do pretty much everything that typical people do. But it depends of how much stimulation, care, and love they receive from their parents. We will protect and educate our baby as a typical kid with the same opportunities. We are keeping the illusion of our first baby and weare not going to give up until he will attend to a regular school, speak two languages, graduate from college and get married...

We always have given and will give the opportunity to our son of trying before we assume he cannot do something due to his genetic disorder. Make accomadations along the way is a way we can help him to reach his full potential. This is the reason since Tommy turned 2 years old, I began my search for programs, colleges and universities that support young people with different and exceptional abilities to continue a higher education. I have found two great programs, Project Succes and Think College. Those programs help young adults who wants to persue a higher education regarless their cognitive or physical challenges. 

• Project SUCCESS is a Model Demonstration Project to ensure quality higher education for students with disabilities sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). The Colleges and Universities receive grants from the USDE to provide the accommodations students with disabilities need to continue with a post-secundary  education. There are three Universities, I am aware of, that offer Project SUCCESS, those are: Missouri State University, Buffalo State College and University of Wisconsin. The services offered can differ greatly across post-secondary institutions. 
• "Think College is an initiative of the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. ICI has been a leader in the area of postsecondary education for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities for over ten years. As interest in postsecondary education for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities has expanded, so has the need for research and training in this area. ICI currently has three federal grants designed to conduct research, training, and technical assistance for professionals, families, and students related to post-secondary education for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities." Think College has designed a website to share updated information about post-secondary education, resources and tools for students, families, and professionals.  This website show strategies, training events, and networking with data base of all colleges and universities participating in this program where transition aged students as well as adults attending or planning for college can search for the college or university better serve their needs.  

Thinking about college for a person with cognitive or physical challenges is not out of reality. It can be possible! Over the last years, the number of students with different abilites seeking to continue a higher education has increased.  By the time Tommy will finished senior high-school, my husband and I will be ready with all the information to guide and help our son to make a decision about his future in continuing a post-secondary education that will lead him to an independent life to the maximum extend possible. When the moment arrives, maybe there would be more and better programs for our son to succeed during his colleges years until his graduation. My husband and I know now we will have to star a saving education plan that economically support our son's college tuition. I have browsed for possible universities and colleges that Tommy may like to attend, this warm my heart and brought a big smile to my face because I knew 3 years ago it was possible for my son to go to college, but I didn't know when or how to start, but now I have the information I need and many years to get ready. 

"THE SKY IS THE LIMIT."