World Down Syndrome Day is being celebrated today in Laois as Down Syndrome Centre Midlands Branch also reaches its first birthday.
The midlands branch aims to create an environment dedicated to providing support and services to children with Down syndrome, their families and carers thereby helping them to reach their full potential and a brighter future.
The branch provides services, information, support, knowledge, skills and a variety of options to families and carers of children with Down syndrome from birth to independent living.
The branch’s objective is to fill the void in the accessible services for our children with Down syndrome, present in our current Health system.
It also aims provide an opportunity for parents to meet other families and build strong relationships and mutual support with them that will continue throughout their child’s life.
With a gap in services, the branch provides subsidised speech therapy and occupational therapy for members.
Participants also take swimming lessons and a second round of cycling lessons is due to come on stream.
Recently, a morning in No Limits for the monthly Saturday club proved a big hit with the members and also gave parents a chance to catch up.
Another initiative undertaken by the local branch were information talks for parents, teachers and resource teachers which proved very successful, and were very well attended.
As children with Down syndrome moved into mainstream education in recent years, it proved to be bit of a learning curve for teachers and parents, so the information evenings were particularly beneficial.
The midlands branch members organise a number of fundraising events so they can provide services for their members.
Coffee morning
This morning World Down Syndrome Day is being celebrated in the Parish Centre with a coffee morning.
The Down Syndrome Centre Midlands do not have a membership fee policy. It welcomes all children/adults of all ages with Down syndrome.
For further information find them on Facebook or contact 087 173 4767
