Guest post from: Joe Castro

I recently logged onto www.satelliteinternetbroadband.com/ and got satellite internet at our house. The one person in my family who is not computer literate is my husband, but I think that he has liked the internet the most. The other day I came home and he had discovered a website that let your compare prices across websites. He was in the market for new ski gloves. We plan on doing a lot of skiing this winter and he picked some ski gloves that we couldn’t find in town. After comparing all of the prices, he ordered them on the internet and ended up getting them half off. I am glad that he got such a great deal on the gloves, but I am hoping that buying stuff on the internet doesn’t turn into a huge habit. Now we have access to some really great things that we wouldn’t have had access to before. Maybe I should start shopping on-line too! I’m sure that he wouldn’t be too happy with that because when I shop, I really shop!

Down Syndrome Fact Sheet

• Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.

• Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 691 babies is born with Down syndrome.

• There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.

• Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels.

• The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. But due to higher fertility rates in younger women, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

• People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer’s disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.

• A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all.

• Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades – from 25 in 1983 to 60 today.

• People with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways.

• All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.

• Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

• Researchers are making great strides in identifying the genes on Chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Many feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.

Orthotics isn’t a medical field that is commonly known in families, but its importance in the lives of children is very important. Children need to be able to experience comfort when it comes to walking and running, and shoe inserts is the best way to give them this. Children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other conditions will certainly benefit from shoe inserts, as well as children who have difficulty in walking caused by injury or a serious illness and those who experience discomfort and pain in their shoes. When choosing your child’s shoes, make sure that the shoes are half a size bigger than the usual size for your child so that the shoe inserts will fit inside. A growing child’s feet should often be measured so that you can determine whether the shoes are still appropriate, as well as the shoe insert.

If your child is an athlete or a teenager who is fond of wearing high heels, then shoe inserts will provide them the right support and comfort that their feet need when it comes to their footwear. Serious injury can be prevented when you make use of the correct type of shoe inserts. Children with flat feet will certainly benefit greatly from orthotics. Children with low muscle tone or hypotonia will benefit from bracing.

There are a lot of devices and shoe inserts on the market that can help the child be able to walk and run well. Together with a good therapist or a professional, your child will have the proper support and guidance when it comes to the health of their feet and mobility. Helping your child’s walking and running abilities with shoe inserts can also affect their socialization skills, physical fitness and general health positively. There are many clinics that have orthotics and prosthetics programs as well as early intervention centers, podiatrists, and orthopedists that you can go to in order to give your child the help that they need. Shoe Inserts provides you a wide variety of information concerning footwear and orthotics Shoe Inserts, feet measuring methods and market. You can have lots of stuff to read about orthotics Shoe Inserts.

A’yani’s Shoe Insert Fitting

Pamela Wilson
BellaOnline’s Children with Special Needs Editor

Families of children in early intervention programs and those who participate in physical therapy centers often have questions about the use of shoe inserts known as orthotics for their children. Although orthotics are mentioned in many books available to families and professionals, there are few magazine articles or newspaper stories that mention these commonly used shoe inserts that do make a difference to children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or other disorders; those who have challenges related to injury or serious illness; and teens who have pain or discomfort due to walking differently during early childhood and beyond.

It is important to find shoes half a size larger than usual so that orthotics fit inside, and to have children’s feet measured regularly so that the orthotic and the shoe is the proper fit.

Mainstream children who do not develop a normal arch by the age of six are often referred for orthotics. Bracing may be recommended for children with low muscle tone (hypotonia). Too often, foot problems are not noticed or addressed in children with disabilities or their mainstream peers as early as should be done.

There are a variety of devices available, including orthotic braces, that require the expertise of a compassionate therapist or licensed professional to adjust and monitor over time. Custom orthotics or braces are available from many reputable sources, including hospital and university clinics, orthotics and prosthetics programs, physical therapists at early intervention centers, orthopedists and podiatrists.

Children and teens with disabilities are not the sole users of orthotics – they are also recommended for athletes in various sports to avoid injuries or help them heal afterward.

While orthotics improve mobility skills, help in healing after injury, and have other benefits, there are other simple accommodations and supports that can be applied according to the individual’s situation so they can participate in sports and recreation opportunities throughout their lifetimes. Socialization skills, physical fitness, and general health benefits from these activities are too important to set aside when physical challenges are used as an excuse for exclusion or restrictions not related to a child’s health or safety.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION BEFORE 16 OCTOBER 2011

START DATE 30.09.2011
END DATE 16.10.2011

Since 2006, Down Syndrome International (DSi) has coordinated an annual observance known as World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), held on 21 March (21/3) to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of chromosome 21 which causes the genetic condition Down syndrome.

The aim of this day is to raise awareness and understanding of a condition which affects approximately 1 in 800 births worldwide, and to promote the inherent rights of persons with Down syndrome to enjoy full and dignified lives and be active participants in their communities and society. Activities and events which take place on this day typically showcase the abilities and accomplishments of persons with Down syndrome and encourage independence, self-advocacy and freedom for persons with Down syndrome to make their own choices.

WDSD is observed by persons with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them in over 60 countries around the world in a variety of different ways, but with a common purpose, and the website www.worlddownsyndromeday.org provides an international forum for sharing experiences. Further information on WDSD is available on the DSi website here.

A draft resolution will be presented to the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in October 2011, proposing that WDSD become a United Nations Observance Day with effect from 2012. If successful, this will greatly assist to raise the international profile of WDSD and awareness of the condition.

We request that you CLICK HERE to sign the petition, which we will then send to the United Nations so that its Member States are made aware of the global public support for this important initiative.

For further information please contact Andrew Boys at DSi.

The use of highly potent multivitamin and mineral supplements during a double-blind study brought about significant improvements in the intellectual capacities of five children affected by Down’s syndrome; thus the study concludes that such supplements may bring some improvement in the condition of children affected by Down’s syndrome. However, no noticeable improvements were observed in following researches carried out to probe these results further, for example a larger double-blind trial done a similar group of children brought out no noticeable benefits from such a supplementation. Children with Down’s syndrome also showed no great difference in intellectual abilities when a multivitamin and mineral supplementation was used along with placebo’s in a controlled group, the placebo group gained as much as the group using multivitamins and minerals. And last of all, a through review of all the research done on these particular supplementation gives no compelling reason for the use of multivitamins or B vitamin supplements in people with Down’s syndrome especially where improving intellectual function is concerned and most of all it established no potential benefits existed from such supplementation.

On careful examination of the blood profile of people with Down’s syndrome and specifically the red blood cells, certain traits become apparent in these cells; in that such cells tend to show a tendency for deficient levels of the vitamin B12 or folic acid in the tissues. Other thorough examinations of the cells in Down’s syndrome patients however, indicate normal or average levels of folic acid. Moreover one a single study done with comparison groups of Down’s syndrome patients and normal individuals indicates a reduced level of vitamin B12 in the patients with Down’s syndrome. And these results have yet to be analyzed and proved conclusively as intervention trials using either vitamin B12 or folic acid and their possible role in the condition have not been investigated until now.

Down’s syndrome patients also have a greater tendency on the whole to develop other conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts and other autoimmune diseases, along with a general increase in the pace of aging when compared with normal people on average. Free radical action leading to the damage of vital tissues in the body characterizes these diseases in general; that is free radical action is what impacts the body during the various stages of these diseases. According to the anecdotal evidence, it is deduced that the particular genetic characteristic that Down’s syndrome induces in a person leads to an increased demand for antioxidants and other nutrients necessary for the body to successfully ward off damage caused by free radicals-this deduction is further supported by blood and urine biochemistry tests that have borne out these genetic predisposition. The oxidative damage suffered by individuals afflicted with Down’s syndrome was found to be preventable by supplementation with the vitamin E, in a preliminary study carried out on a group of patients afflicted with Down’s syndrome and hence susceptible to this form of cellular damage from radical oxygen species. The situation becomes complex because when a comparison between healthy individuals and patients with Down’s syndrome was carried out it was observed that the blood levels of the vitamin C and the vitamin E, which are two important antioxidant nutrients, did not considerably differ to a great extent. Therefore further research and investigations still have to be carried out on the role if any of vitamin E and other antioxidants in treating some of the oxidative damage associated with Down’s syndrome.

While many researchers have found the levels of essential minerals like zinc and selenium to be low in the blood of patients afflicted with Down’s syndrome-other researchers have found these antioxidant minerals selenium and zinc were present in normal levels in at least one study of people with Down’s syndrome. This situation is further complicated by the fact, that still other studies show low levels of zinc in more than 60% of patients with Down’s syndrome. Hence, the possible implications of supplementation with these minerals is still haze and requires further investigation, for example during a preliminary study where selenium supplementation was carried out on children with Down’s syndrome, a marked improvement in the antioxidant activity within the body was discovered. Low levels of zinc along with very poor immune system function was found in a preliminary study conducted on a group of patients with Down’s syndrome, this can perhaps be related to the fact that sufficient quantities of Zinc is critical for proper immune function and for the proper functioning of the immune system and the immune cell activity. Therefore it an improved immune cell activity and immune system functioning can be achieved through regular supplementation using zinc. Down’s syndrome patients who were given zinc supplements during preliminary intervention trials, showed appreciable improvement in the immune cell activity along with reduced rates of infection, the dosage regimen was in amounts of 1 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight a day during the trial period. However, these beneficial effects were not observed in children with Down’s syndrome during supplementation in a controlled trial, these children were given zinc at 25 mg per day for the younger children under the age of 10 years and the dosage was 50 mg for older children; thus this study shows that this form of supplementation may not be suitable for the treatment of children. However, this is not to say that zinc supplementation must not be carried out at all in all cases. It is known that zinc performs other important roles within the human body. Indeed the preliminary data gathered from various sources shows that zinc supplementation, at the rate of 1 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight a day during the treatment period, effected an improvement in the functioning of the thyroid gland in all patients with the Down’s syndrome and in addition it also caused an increased growth rate in children suffering from the various symptoms associated with Down’s syndrome.

The normal functioning of the nervous system is assured by the presence of acetyl-L-carnitine, a vital compound that occurs naturally in the brain and the nervous system. Visual memory and attention showed marked improvements in all Down’s syndrome patients during a preliminary trial, where the test subjects were given 500 mg of L-acetyl-carnitine thrice a day during a testing regimen lasting a total of 90 days; clearly this substance has important functions in eliciting normalization of visual memory and in inducing marked improvements in nervous functioning. On carrying out the same treatment regimen in patients with obvious deficient mental faculties unrelated to Down’s syndrome and in untreated subjects on a placebo, significant results were not obtained. As far as people afflicted with Down’s syndrome are concerned a lot of careful research into the effects of L- acetyl-carnitine is necessary and will prove itself beneficial in the long term.

Mood and sleep timings are affected in the human body through a substance called 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP); this substance is an amino acid that the body uses to manufacture the neurotransmitter serotonin. The body manufactures this 5-HTP from the amino acid tryptophan; this amino acid precursor is found in the food proteins consumed in the daily diet. Children suffering from Down’s syndrome have been shown to have low levels of serotonin as far as the early data on this aspect of their physiology is concerned, in addition to this factor the supplementation of 5-HTP in young children showed observable improvements in the muscle tone and a reduction in the protrusion of the tongue as a direct result of the supplementation. Moreover further symptoms such as restlessness, diarrhea and vomiting, and muscle spasms, including the elevation of blood pressure were observed during supplementation with 5-HTP in patients afflicted with Down’s syndrome. Infants who underwent 5-HTP supplementation during one study showed seizures as a further side effect of the supplementation as a further complication. The beneficial effects of supplementation using 5-HTP have been shown by other studies to be mostly non-existent. Taking all these studies into account and because of the high incidence of other complications including adverse side effects the use of 5-HTP in infants and children with Down’s syndrome is not recommended at this time- this substance also has no proven beneficial effects.

The Buddy Walk^® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk program is supported nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by parent support groups, schools and other organizations and individuals.

Over the past sixteen years, the Buddy Walk program has grown from 17 walks to nearly 300 expected in 2011 across the country and around the world. Last year alone, 285,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk! They raised more than $11.2 million to benefit local programs and services as well as the national advocacy initiatives that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.

The Buddy Walk is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is an inspirational and educational event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join a Buddy Walk in your local community!

History

Over the last sixteen years, the Buddy Walk^® has not only become the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome, but also the world’s most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community.

Here are some milestones to show how the program has grown:

1995

• The Buddy Walk program was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
• 17 events take place across the country during the inaugural year of the Buddy Walk.
• Chris Burke leads the flagship New York City Buddy Walk.

The premiere advocacy event for Down syndrome is off to a great start!

1999

• NDSS introduces the Times Square Video to bring attention to the Buddy Walk program and raise acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome.
• The Buddy Walk adds a fundraising component to raise money for local and national programs and services.

2001

• NDSS introduces a new Buddy Walk logo‚Äîthe now familiar blue and yellow graphic with a family holding hands.
• A Wal-Mart commercial featuring footage of the Buddy Walk in Colorado Springs, CO airs and is instrumental in the growth of the Buddy Walk program.
• Over 100 Buddy Walk events take place this year.

2002

• John C. McGinley joined NDSS as National Buddy Walk® Spokesman and since then has continued to generate national visibility for NDSS. Since then he has participated in countless PSA’s to promote positive public awareness for people with Down syndrome and most recently became the NDSS Ambassador in the My Great Story campaign.
• The first BuddyWalk.org site is launched.
• The first comprehensive Buddy Walk Manual for walk organizers is distributed.

2003

• NDSS further demonstrates its support for the growing Buddy Walk program by designating it as one of the Society’s five key strategic initiatives for the coming years and hiring a National Buddy Walk Coordinator to oversee the direction of the program and assist local organizers.
• The Buddy Walk logo is trademarked by NDSS.
• More than 190 Buddy Walk events take place in 49 states and 5 countries with over 180,000 participants raising more than $2.5 million.

2004

• BuddyWalk.org is re-launched with new tools and features for Walkers and organizers.
• More than 210 Buddy Walk events take place with over 200,000 participants raising more than $4.5 million.

2005

NDSS celebrates 10 years of the Buddy Walk!

• More than 260 Buddy Walk events take place with over 200,000 participants raising more than $5.5 million.
• Since the Buddy Walk was established in 1995, over 1,500,000 people have participated in a Buddy Walk worldwide.

2007

• More than 270 Buddy Walk events take place with approximately 250,000 participants raising more than $9.5 million dollars, a 46.2% increase from 2006.
• Since the Buddy Walk was created in 1995, over 2,000,000 people have participated in a Buddy Walk worldwide.

2008

• The Buddy Walk program welcomed its first regional and national partners: Regal Entertainment Group, Knology and the American Physical Therapy Association, Section on Pediatrics.
• The Buddy Walk Public Service Announcement was played nationwide at all Regal Cinemas before every movie for two weeks to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the National Buddy Walk program.
• More than 275 Buddy Walk events take place with over 250,000 participants raising more than $10.5 million.
• The Buddy Walk was ranked in the top 30 fundraising events nationwide for: money raised, revenue increase, and best series event.

Source: 2008 Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council Survey Results

2009

• NDSS held the first National Buddy Walk conference in Columbus, Ohio where Buddy Walk organizers were able to learn from NDSS leadership and share best practices with one another.
• NDSS introduced a new licensing agreement that commits Buddy Walk groups to a 7% contribution that supports the NDSS National Policy Center in Washington D.C.
• The first Buddy Walk held on a military base in a combat zone took place at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Walk FAQ’s

Do I need to know someone with Down syndrome to participate in a Buddy Walk®?
Not at all. The goal of the Buddy Walk is to promote understanding and acceptance of people with Down syndrome. Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does or just want to show your support, come and join the Buddy Walk.

How can I find out if there is a Walk in my community?
To find out if there is a Walk in your community, you can enter your zip code in the Find A Walk box located at the top of the home page or you can click on the “Find A Walk” link. Either way, you will find the closest Walk to you. If you do not see a Walk in your area, you can e-mail the Buddy Walk staff at buddywalk@ndss.org to find out if a local support group has registered a Walk that is not yet posted.

Not everyone in my family is able to walk a mile. Are they still able to participate?

Yes. Buddy Walk events are open to participants of all ages and abilities. Each Walk location has places where you can sit down, relax, and watch the excitement if you choose not to walk. You can also become a member of the cheering section and cheer on the walkers.

Is there an age requirement for the Buddy Walk?

All participants are welcome! From strollers to seniors, all supporters of individuals with Down syndrome are invited to participate. Buddy Walk events are great places to network with families and learn more about support services available.

I’d like to volunteer at the Walk in my area. How do I get involved?

For information on volunteering at a Buddy Walk in your community, please click on “Find A Walk”. Review the events taking place in your area by clicking on your state or other states in the vicinity of your home. Click to select a Walk and contact the event organizer that is listed.

There isn’t a Walk in my area. How do I go about starting a Walk?

NDSS has all the tools to help you plan a successful event, from a planning timeline to posters and incentive ideas. Buddy Walks range in size from 50 people to more than 5,000 — so whatever your time and resources, you can plan a successful Walk for your community! NDSS has developed a user-friendly Buddy Walk Manual that provides valuable information about the Buddy Walk program and how to create the best walk you can.

Download and read the 2011 Buddy Walk Information Packet to learn more about the Buddy Walk program and how to organize a Walk. You can register a walk online by clicking on one of the “Organize a Walk” links.

Who designs the National Buddy Walk T-Shirts?

NDSS and the National Buddy Walk® Committee hold a nationwide contest for a new t-shirt design for the upcoming Buddy Walk season. The selected design will be featured on the t-shirt at the National Buddy Walk in New York City and will be available to all other Buddy Walks in the coming year.

Designers submitting their artwork can be individuals with Down syndrome, parents, siblings or friends. This artist will receive recognition on the Buddy Walk website for the entire year!

Click here for details regarding the contest.

Click here for guidelines and the entry form. An entry form must be included with each submission.

Can I bring my dog to the Buddy Walk?

While most walk venues will allow dogs, not all do. Please speak with the organizer in advance of your local Walk to find out if you can bring your four-legged friend with you.

Do I have to raise money to participate in the Buddy Walk?

There are no mandatory fundraising requirements for participants of a Buddy Walk. While most Walks choose to include a fundraising component to raise money for local and national programs, there is no individual requirement beyond the registration fee (if applicable).

 For More information visit: www.BuddyWalk.org