The Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana, which was founded over 25 years ago, serves families of both children and adults with Down syndrome.
OUR HISTORY
The Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana began nearly 30 years ago with a chance meeting between two mothers of children with Down syndrome who began to search for information about Down syndrome and for other parents who shared similar experiences. The idea of a parent support group began to take shape and eventually became a reality. Soon after, the first unofficial meeting of the Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana was held in the spring of 1978 with seven mothers present. It was the first parent support group of its kind in Northwest Indiana.
Meetings attended by only mothers continued for several years until a family Picnic was added to involve dads, siblings and other extended family. Because of the positive feedback received, a family Christmas Party was added several years down the road. Since that time the following events have been added to foster support and promote awareness: Father/Child Bowling Outing, Mom's Night Out, Easter Party, Awards Banquet, Golf Lessons, Family Picnic, Summer Dances, Buddy Walk, Halloween Dance and the Family Christmas Party. We also began to invite professional speakers knowledgeable in Down syndrome topics to speak at the monthly meetings.
In April of 1985, we moved into our first office--one small room to house our files and lending library. We quickly outgrew this space and in October of 1988, moved into office space on the second floor at 2927 Jewett Avenue in Highland, IN. Our lending library and office equipment continued to expand, and with thoughts to our members with strollers or wheelchairs, we began considering moving into another office. In June of 2003, we were fortunate enough to be able to move into our current, wheelchair-accessible space at the same location in Highland.
Presently, we have approximately 255 families on our mailing list who live in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Jasper Counties in Indiana as well as several in nearby Illinois and Michigan communities. The organization is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of up to 15 members. We continue to grow and to carry on in our efforts to make improve the quality of life for children, teens and adults with Down syndrome.
"The organization is wonderful. It is like family. We have so many friends that we've kept in touch with throughout the years. We just look forward to coming to the events and seeing how everybody is growing and what accomplishments the kids have made. It's a great support group."---Kelly Morton
"It's wonderful. It gets parents together with other parents with the same problems. It has helped me to talk to other parents and know that I'm not alone and that Down syndrome is not a big deal."---Vickie Gill
Besides hosting events we also focus on media support. There have been many articles appearing in the local newspapers over the years. In 1992-93 there was even a series of ads that ran in the TIMES newspapers during October, to create awareness for National Down Syndrome Month.
We also organize educational meetings and conferences. Back in 1996 we sponsored a One Day Conference on Down Syndrome: The World Belongs To Us All. We announced, "People with Down Syndrome are a part of the world around us. Our speakers for the conference will explore how to enhance their connection to the world of knowledge, the world of communication, the world of family and friends, and the world of community jobs and living."
Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana
2927 Jewett Street, Highland, IN 46322
219.838.3656 phone
219.838.6959 fax
dsa@dsaofnwi.org
© Down Syndrome Association or Northwest Indiana. All rights reserved.