Newsletter Volume 2


Down Syndrome Association of Tshwane Newsletter January –
Volume 2

A Happy New Year to all our members, may 2012 be an amazing year for all, filled with love, laughter, happiness and peace.

Let’s start 2012 with an introduction to the people behind the scenes:

The Staff of the Down Syndrome Association consists of:

Petra Le Roux – Branch Director
Ancella Ramjas – Executive Officer
Rinske Pouwels – Financial Officer
Zelna Barends – Office Assistant

These lovely ladies are the ones to contact with any queries, concerns and/or ideas. They are fully experienced, compassionate and able to assist with any queries, concerns and/or ideas you may have. I think it’s important to state that the association will be nothing without them, likewise the association will be nothing without you, the members.

Mission Statement:
To render support for children, young adults and families with Down Syndrome and other intellectual impairments.
The Down Syndrome Association of Tshwane is committed to finding ways to improve the quality of life of all persons with Down Syndrome, promoting the awareness that they have the right to live with independence, dignity and security as valued adults and full citizens in our society

Outreach Therapists:
Speech: Emma Clark
Occuopational: Lenieze Lambrecht

So, 2012 will bring the Down Syndrome community together like no year before. We will be sending out the yearly calendar in February, which promises to have a whole lot of activities to keep you and your families busy and inspired.

So here are the pics promised in our 1st Newsletter:
The Young Adults Year End
The setup of the tables for the year end function
The Young adults all looked gorgeous and enjoyed their fruit cocktails on the red carpet!
What fun would it be if we showed them all to you now? Our magazine will have all the photo’s taken, so keep an eye out!
The Childrens Christmas Party
Santa enlisted Thys’s help to hand out the pressies to our kids!
And Thys enlisted the help of a little director elf!
Our kids jumped,
Danced,
Ate and
Jumped some more!

A great website for 6+ years http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/forkids/portal.htm colouring activities, reading and learning all in one site, have a look, you will not be disappointed.

A great website with information on alternate communication http://www.makaton.org/

We are starting a Facebook Group, where you can get to know your community on a daily basis, share all your joys and frustrations, upload pics of your treasures and keep updated on the daily happenings of the association. A link to the group will be added to the next Newsletter so keep an eye out for that.

Some inspirational links:

Below, read about a 9 year old boy who has Down Syndrome and is a catalogue model:
http://specialchildren.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=specialchildren&cdn=parenting&tm=8&gps=689_415_1916_807&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&st=10&zu=http%3A//www.adweek.com/adfreak/boy-down-syndrome-becoming-unlikely-ad-star-137326

This is a sweet video, which reiterates human kindness and compassion, a teenage boy with Down Syndrome, got to realize his dream and score a touchdown due to his coach and the oppositions coach’s thoughtfulness – have a box of tissues ready for this one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPA8B_97w_Q&feature=related

Recipes:

Joshua, being 3 years of age and constantly looking for mischief, has during the holiday, become accustomed to helping me prepare dinner. Our favorite dinner (and quite frankly the easiest) to make together is pizza. He gets his chair and stands on it to reach the kitchen counter and roll his dough and help put toppings (and whatever else he finds) on everyone else’s. So, here is a Pizza dough recipe you may want to get your little ones or big ones helping with:

Honey Dough Pizza:
Ingredients
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or 1 package)
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (might need to add 1/4 to 1/2 cup more)
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and honey in 1/4-cup warm water (100-110 degrees).
  2. In a mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour and the salt. (can do by hand with spoon if you don’t have a mixer).
  3. Add the oil, the yeast mixture, and the remaining 3/4 C water, mix on low speed until dough comes cleanly away from the sides of the bowl and clusters around the dough hook, about 5 minutes.
  4. If the dough is still sticky, then simply add a bit more flour until it pulls cleanly away from the hook.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead by hand 2 or 3 minutes.
  6. The dough should be smooth and firm. Place in lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
  7. Let sit for about 30-45 minutes. (When ready, the dough will stretch as it is lightly pulled).
  8. Take dough out of bowl and divide into either 2 or 4 balls, depending on whether you want 2 large pizzas or 4 small.
  9. Work each ball by pulling down the sides and tucking under the bottom of the ball. Repeat 4 or 5 times.
  10. Cover the dough with a damp towel and let rest 15 to 20 minutes.
  11. stretch dough out onto greased pizza pan, top with sauce and toppings, and bake at 200 degrees for 12-16 minutes, until done. (smaller pizzas will take less time, so keep watching it)
  12. slide the pizza off the pan for the remaining 2 minutes to crisp it up a bit.
  13. Toppings can be anything of your choice.

Enjoy!

So, as promised, below is listed all the Board Members, so now you”ll know Who’s Who….

The Board:
Chair: Thabang Chiloane –

 
husband and father of four. Our youngest Thapelo was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Thapelo is two years old and full of adventure

Vice Chair: Marcel Nieuwenhuizen –
Treasurer: TBA
Secretary: Elaine Passmoor –

 
I have been a member of the Association since 2010 when we moved from jhb to pta. I have 2 children Cayla-Jordan who is 10 and in gr 3, and Joshua who is 3 and has ds. Joshua has the most amazing character and is soooo naughty, but it’s hard to stay cross when he pulls his antics as he just turns to me, signs sorry, gives me a bug hug and kiss and a huge naughty smile. He goes to a crèche in out=r area and is the only special needs child there, he is very popular, when he gets to school all the girls run up and give him a kiss. He also has a little girlfriend who draws him pictures daily.

Rinske Pouwels –


Married to Hans – I have been working for the Down syndrome Association since 2006. I manage the daily finances, put the bulletin together, do parent visits, give guidance to parents and help with all activities when help is needed. We have 3 children. Landi is 15 years old, in gr 10, Anneli is 12 years old in gr. 7 and Erwin who has DS, is 7 years old and just started gr. 1. He is a very proud scholar and is dressed at 6 o’clock every morning. He even wants to dress for school on Saturday and Sunday mornings. He ran his first 60 & 80m race, he finished last but he thinks that he was in first place. We are very proud of him because he did not want to participate in previous years.

Hans Pouwels –

 
I joined the board about 2 years ago. I served on the financial committee till the end  of 2011. I am the director of AJPlastics, who make irrigation pipes and sell irrigation products.
Debbie Bester-
Petra Le Roux-


I’ve been working for the Association for the past 6 years. I have 2 sons, Xander who is in grade R and Cayden who is 2. Although I do not have a child with Down Syndrome, this Association has become my biggest passion. I am involved with the Young Adults Self Advocacy group as well.
Ancella Ramjas –

Santhini Naidoo –


 I am married with 2 boys.  Keiurin is 11 has down syndrome. Keiurin attends Pathways in Morelletta Park in Pretoria. Shreyan is 5and is in grade 1. I am a trainer at momentum and am  a qualified foundation phase teacher.  I taught for 4 years before joining the corporate sector.  I also have a degree in B Comm Informatics.  I use both these qualifications in my present job.  I have many hobbies like reading, my favourite author is Danielle steel.  I am very creative.  To de-stress I like making my own beaded jewellery as well as home décor sewing, card making etc.  I enjoy spending time outside with my children, love doing the braai and swimming stuff, relaxing and watching a good movie. Family is very important to me and I will move heaven and earth to make sure that my loved ones are protected and happy.  Their health I leave up to the Lord.
Tania Collins –
Zelna Barends –

Cathy Makobe –
Mario Visagie –
Maria Mayime –

Carol Mtsali –
Rebekka Mokgoko –

Please remember to send in any topics you would like added to the news letter, pics of your treasures, recipes, poems and any questions you would like answered, we will be starting an Ask Lenieze and Ask Emma section for any additional queries you may have for Speech and Occupational therapy. Till Next time, have a fabulous month!

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up, the most certain way to succeed is always to try just 1 more time“
By Unknown

Tel: 012-664 8871
Fax: 012-664 8349
Website: www.downsyndromepretoria.co.za