Down Syndrome Association of Tshwane
Newsletter April -Volume 5
It’s June, the nights will be even colder and the days will be even shorter. In June we also have a very special day to celebrate each year, this would be Father day! I’ve heard many stories of fathers running off, in many relationships, however, sadly it has been known to happen more regularly when there is a child with special needs involved. So, it is with pride that I see, every time we have a function of some sort, the amount of involved fathers we have as members. Those same fathers brag about their childs/childrens accomplishments with joy and pride that can only be found in a parent that loves their child unconditionally. So, Fathers, I salute you and hope that you get spoilt this Fathers day!
Just a reminder of the Wintersballon the 14th June at the Voortrekker monument Amphi –Hall, our MC for the evening is Liz Miering and we have Thys (Die Bosveldklong) Streicher for entertainment too.
Tables are R5000 each which seats 10 people. We still have 22 tables available for booking.
We also have a host of celebrities who will be joining us for the evening.
A 4 course meal will see to all bellies being filled to the brim!
The Association, are still in need of sponsorship for the following:
Buying a table to attend the function. R5000 per table seating 10 persons. With this option you can either seat 10 of your own guests or 8 guests and we will arrange a celebrity couple for your table.
Sponsoring a table for the young adults with Down syndrome to attend the evening with us. We require 2 tables for the Down Syndrome Association.
Sponsoring wine for the evening
Cash donations that can be used towards making the invitation and other overhead costs that need to be covered.
Sponsorship of any item that we can auction off in order to further our funds.
Petra has a sponsorship request letter, if any of you amazing members know of anyone who would be willing to sponsor any of the Associations needs as above or know any parties who would like to attend, please contact Petra petra@downs.org.za directly.
Another reminder, this year it is with great pride that South Africa is the Host of the National Down Syndrome World Congress. As you are aware, this is a wonderful opportunity for us and we urge you to take advantage of the fact that it is in SA this year. All information you may need will be on this site www.wdsc2012.org.za.
Have a look at this link: http://emotion21.org.au/southafrica. Click on the video on the page. These are a group of Australian Dancers (who have Down syndrome) coming to the congress. They have had amazing sponsorship from Quantas they have sponsored all their international flights to South Africa. A film crew is documenting their entire journey from there preparations in Australia to there actual performances here in South Africa for the congress. This will be broadcast on Quantas flights as well national TV in Australia.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Hmm, here is something we don’t see often, which is why I have to add this to this Newsletter:
Mr. Blue Sky
DVD
Starring
Ashley Wolfe and Chaney Kley w/ Lauren Potter (of Glee)
is now available on DVD!
ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY AT:
Please see trailer, press, video clippings from CBS news, viewer testimonials, etc…
“Mr. Blue Sky not only touches the heart, but also enlightens the mind on the real potential in the lives of those with Down syndrome.”
Mr. Blue Sky An unconventional love story involving three childhood buddies; two girls, one born with Down syndrome, and one boy, who all grow up fighting who they are inside, how they are perceived by society as a whole, and who they ultimately strive to become as individuals through the obstacles that are inherently present.
Mr. Blue Sky is a ground-breaking film that explores the romantic relationship of a woman born with Down syndrome and a “normal” male, as perceived by today’s society. Mr. Blue Sky attempts to break down society’s barriers, much like “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?” did in the 1960’s, as it aims to “change lives” through “changing minds.”
Mr. Blue Sky is a heart-grabbing story that will ultimately change the way society views all people as “individuals” first and foremost where we are all more alike than different.
The title is derived from a little girl’s hope and love through the sun (Mr. Blue Sky.)
“Mr. Blue Sky,” a touching coming-of-age romance which engages the subject of Down’s syndrome, is in the midst of an exclusive week-long engagement at the Clearview Cinemas in Babylon.
Directed by Sarah Gurfield from a script by producer Tom Paddy Lee, a West Islip native, “Mr. Blue Sky” focuses on the lifelong bond forged by three people, one of whom, Andra (Ashley Wolfe), was born with Down’s Syndrome. Both Andra and her best friend Bonnie (Mary Kate Schellhardt) are in love with Greg (Chaney Kley), a teacher struggling with the emotional turmoil of an embittered widowed father (“Home Improvement’s” Richard Karn).
Tensions in this triangle strain the connection Andra, Bonnie and Greg made in childhood. Yet this unassuming, quietly passionate film insists on showing how all three share both the aspiration of a happy life and the fears that they won’t quite fulfill their dreams.
Showtimes for “Mr. Blue Sky” are 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Clearview Cinemas, 34 Main St., Babylon. More information on the film can be found at www.mrblueskymovie.com.
— GENE SEYMOUR (New york Newsday Film Review)
more in /entertainment/movies
I’ve read the story below a couple of times and each time it brings me to tears. A reminder that Winning isn’t about always finishing first:
In Brooklyn, New York, Chush is a school that caters to learning
disabled children. Some children remain in Chush for their entire
school career, while others can be mainstreamed into conventional schools.
At a Chush fund-raising dinner, the father of a Chush child
delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he cried out, “Where is the perfection in my son, Shay? Everything God does is done with perfection. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do. Where is God’s perfection?
The audience was shocked by the question, pained by the father’s anguish and stilled by the piercing query. “I believe,” the father answered, “that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that he seeks is in the way people react to this child.”
He then told the following story about his son Shay: One afternoon, Shay and his father walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, “Do you think they will let me play?”
Shay’s father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. But Shay’s father understood that if his son was chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging.
Shay’s father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his team-mates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said “We are losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning.”
Shay’s father was ecstatic as Shay smiled broadly. Shay was told to put on a glove and go out to play short center field. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay’s team scored again and now with Two outs and the bases loaded with the potential winning run on base.
Shay was scheduled to be up. Would the team actually let. Shay bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat.
Everyone knew that it was all but impossible because Shay didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it. However as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay should at least be able to make contact.
The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. One of Shay’s team-mates came up to Shay and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for the next pitch. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay and his teammate swung at the ball and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have ended the game.
Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, “Shay, run to first. Run to first.” Never in his life had Shay run to first. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball.
He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman who would tag out Shay, who was still running. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher’s intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman’s head.
Everyone yelled, “Run to second, run to second.” Shay ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home.
As Shay reached second base, the opposing short stop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, “Run to third.” As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming, “Shay run home.” Shay ran home, stepped on home plate and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a “grand slam” and won the game for his team.
That day,” said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, “those 18 boys reached their level of God’s perfection.”
Please remember our facebook page and join us in sharing stories and support: http://www.facebook.com/find-friends/browser/?ref=ler#!/groups/364873940199207/
Our recipe, Cheeses Scones:
- 1 Tablespoon finely chopped herbs
- ½ cup milk
- 125 Grams cream cheese
- 5 Spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 KNORR Bacon Carbonara flavour Pasta Sauce
- 2 Eggs (reserve 1 egg for glazing top of scones)
- 5 Teaspoons baking powder
- 125 Grams cream cheese
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 Small carrot, grated
- ½ cup cream
- Preheat oven to 200°C.
- In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder and KNORR Bacon Carbonara flavour Pasta Sauce sachet contents.
- Add cheeses, spring onions, carrot and herbs, mix with a fork until combined.
- In a small jug beat together milk, cream and one egg.
- Fold into dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Remember to work very gently with the dough or else the scones will be hard.
- On a floured surface pat the dough into a round circle.
- Cut into shapes with cookie cutters (flower, star or circles).
- If you dip the cutters in flour first, it makes cutting easier.
- Place the scones on to a greased and floured baking tray.
- Brush tops with lightly beaten egg.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool on a wire rack.
- Serve warm, or cool completely and refrigerate or freeze in a heavy Ziploc bag or airtight container
So, remember to spoil your fathers and husbands and let them know how special they are and that they are truly loved and appreciated!
Till, next month, keep warm and keep sharing all your stories
Tel: 012-664 8871
Fax: 012-664 8349
Website: www.downsyndromepretoria.co.za
