Statement on Prozac, Focalin and Ginko

NDSC/NDSS/ACOG/ACMG Consensus Statement (pdf)

NDSC Press Releases

Tropic Thunder Boycott

Click here for local stories on the ‘Tropic Thunder’ boycott

July 16, 2009 ABC’s Philadelphia affiliate, WPVI, Channel 6, shares the story about the relationship between self advocate Brad Hennefer and his brother, Bob, and their recent trip to baseball’s All Star game. The reporter also shares NDSC’s “We’re More Alike” theme.

July 16, 2009 The Philadelphia Daily News reports on self advocate Brad Hennefer’s trip to the baseball All Star game as one of People magazine’s “All Stars Among Us”.

July 8, 2009 NBC's Today Show features a story on self advocate Brad Hennefer, one of People magazine and Major League Baseball's "All Stars". Brad will join President Obama and others at this year’s baseball All Star game.

July 1, 2009 National Public Radio reports on employment challenges for adults with disabilities.

June 30, 2009 Self advocate Brad Hennefer is headed for the MLB All-Star game, as reported in this (Cherry Hill, NJ) Courier-Post story. Brad and his parents, Bob and Nancy, founded the Golf for Life Foundation.

June 25, 2009 The Birmingham (AL) News reports on the Down syndrome clinic for adults at the University of Alabama – Birmingham.

June 14, 2009 Author Beverly Beckham shares the blessings brought by her granddaughter, Lucy, who has Down syndrome, in this Boston Globe story.

May 8, 2009 This YouTube video, with English subtitles, shows an inclusive program for individuals with Down syndrome at the Royal Belgrade (Serbia) Rugby Club.

April 25, 2009 The Jackson (MI) Citizen Patriot reports on self advocates Alex and Alexis DeNato, who recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary.

April 2, 2009 The Orange County Register reports on self advocate Sean McElwee, who is up for election as his school’s sports commissioner, in this front page article.

March 17, 2009 NDSC Professional Advisory Council member Brian Skotko shares information about his new book on siblings in this WFXT interview. Dr. Skotko is joined by Laurie Maranian who, along with Brian, once led NDSC’s Brothers & Sister’s Conference. Tyler Streeter, another sibling from the Boston area, joins the discussion led by Gene Lavanchy, who emceed NDSC’s 2008 Awards Banquet.

March 12, 2009 On a recent local television program, University of Pennsylvania bioethicist Art Caplan reported that he’s not sure whether it would be a good thing if new diagnostic tests lead to the elimination of people with Down syndrome from the population. The story appears on Patricia Bauer’s blog, a daily “must read” for those who care about disability issues.

March 1, 2009 Boston Globe contributor Beverly Beckham sets the record straight about Down syndrome.

February 17, 2009 In this Newsweek/The Washington Post blog, Special Olympics head Tim Shriver shares the inspiring story of Jenny Newbury and others who advocate for what is right. Jenny is a co-founder of P.A.L.S.

February 5, 2009 NBC’s Today reports on self advocate Patrick Thibodeau. Patrick, a self advocate, is the manager of his high school basketball team. As told in this story, Patrick’s teammate, Sam Thompson, gave up his place in the lineup so that Patrick could play in a game. The resulting story, picked up by USAToday, Good Morning America, and others, is magic.

February 3, 2009 The (Waterloo, Ontario) Record shares the story of a woman with Down syndrome who achieved her dream job – in management.

January 24, 2009 Self advocate Eric Edwards has received Appleton East High School's 2009 Patriot Award, “which recognizes outstanding alumni for their achievements and contributions to the community,” according to this (Appleton, WI) Post-Crescent article. Edwards was the recipient of the 1994 NDSC Christian Pueschel Memorial Citizen Award.

January 26, 2009 News 8 in Austin, TX, offers this story, featuring self advocate and NDSC member, Emily Dodson, about a local art program.

January 2009 The January issue of Denver Magazine features a wonderful article on Sophia Whitten and her family. Sophia is the daughter of NDSC members Michelle and Tom Whitten.

December 29, 2008 The (Nashville) Tennessean reports on a new post-secondary education program at Vanderbilt University. Self advocate Matt Moore is featured in the article, along with his mother, Sheila, who is Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee.

December 27, 2008 Self advocate Noah Rinehart is featured in this York (PA) Daily Record article. Noah, who was seriously injured three years ago in a diving accident, returned to the pool in a 50-yard freestyle event. Noah and his parents, John and Rebecca, are NDSC members.

December 26, 2008 The (Memphis, TN) Commercial-Appeal features Darlene Winters, the founder of the Company d dance troupe as one of their 12 “people who made a difference” in 2008. Company d has performed at the NDSC National Convention.

December 1, 2008 Career Solutions, an employment service operated by the Down Syndrome Association of Louisville, is featured in this article in the (Louisville, KY) Courier-Journal.

December 1, 2008 The (Peoria, IL) Journal-Star reports on the Whitfield family, which is again sponsoring a generous holiday fundraiser benefiting the NDSC. Trent Whitfield is captain of the Peoria Rivermen hockey team. His wife, Colleen, is organizing the fundraiser, which honors the couple’s 16-month old daughter Alstyn, as well as the memory of long-time Rivermen fan and self advocate, Diane Stimpert. The Whitfields also have a son, Colton.

November 26, 2008 The New York Times reports that the German doctor whose request to immigrate to Australia was being denied due to having a son with Down syndrome, has now been granted. The case generated an international outcry.

November 25, 2008 The (Camden, NJ) Courier-Post reports on self advocate Brad Hennefer, who was recently named Athlete of the Year at the Philadelphia Sports Fans Choice Awards. Brad and his parents co-founded the Golf for Life Foundation.

November 24, 2008 The Guardian (U.K.) reports on a slight increase in the number of children born with Down syndrome. The British Down Syndrome Association hopes this change is due to better attitudes and awareness in the general population. In an opinion piece the same day, however, writer Tom Shakespeare notes that the concerns of the disability community remain valid.

November 24, 2008 Baptist Press reports on the recently passed Kennedy-Brownback bill.

November 21, 2008 The (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) Daily Nebraskan presents an article by student Luke Fischer regarding the need for changing attitudes towards individuals with disabilities.

November 20, 2008 An excellent article by student Matt Gamber regarding the film “Tropic Thunder” in the (University of) Notre Dame Observer.

November 8, 2008 This Washington Post article introduces various families that have children with Down syndrome, and discusses adoption of children with DS.

November 1, 2008 CNN picks up an Associated Press story from Australia, where an immigrant doctor and his family has been refused permanent residency due to his son having Down syndrome. NDSC Executive Director David Tolleson is quoted.

October 24, 2008 ScienceDaily reports on a research study that will compare two early literacy intervention approaches to educating children with Down syndrome. An international group of experts, including 2006 and 2009 NDSC Convention speaker Sue Buckley, has contributed to the study. Based at the University of Denver, this research was initiated by The Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Educational Fund, chaired by NDSC member, Michelle Sie Whitten. Mrs. Whitten also serves as Executive Director of the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation.

October 14, 2008 ABC News reports on the story of self advocate Kristen Pass, who was recently named homecoming queen at Aledo High School in Texas.

October 13, 2008 Self advocate Victoria Alba is the subject of this story from The (Council Bluffs, IA) Daily Nonpareil. Victoria was recently named homecoming queen at Abraham Lincoln High School.

October 12, 2008 The (Mobile, AL) Press-Register shares the story of Mary G. Montgomery High School student Annie Bryant, a self advocate voted to be homecoming queen by her peers.

September 27, 2008 The Great Falls (MT) Tribune reports on self advocate Jesse Campbell, who is an included and valued member of the Choteau High School community, and was recently elected homecoming king.

September 29, 2008 Self advocates Katie Lowe and Bob Macaux of the Down Syndrome Society of Rhode Island share the “We’re More Alike than Different” message in this WJAR-TV 10 (NBC, Providence, RI) story about the passage of the Kennedy-Brownback bill. Katie’s mom, Claudia, and Bob’s mom, Janice, are also featured. To view the story, scroll to the videos at the bottom of the “Health” page.

September 28, 2008 This Chicago Tribune article discusses the challenges of sharing accurate information about life with Down syndrome to parents and professionals. NDSC Executive Director David Tolleson says, “There’s never been a better time to be diagnosed with Down syndrome…but doctors and prospective parents don’t always hear the good news.”

September 26, 2008 WDAY-6 (Fargo, ND) reports on self advocate Kelli Stein, who was recently named Homecoming Queen in Hankinson, ND. Kelli’s classmates and community have included her throughout her school years. Kelli is the daughter of Cyndi and Bruce Stein.

September 23, 2008 Self advocate and past NDSC Convention speaker Brad Hennefer is featured in this (Camden, NJ) Courier-Post article. Brad, along with his parents, Bob and Nancy, formed the Brad Hennefer Golf for Life Foundation.

September 17, 2008 Politico.com features a story on U.S. Representatives Pete Session (R-TX) and Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA), and House Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), all of whom have children with Down syndrome.

September 16, 2008 Vision & Voice, the quarterly publication of the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability, reports on Cheryl Jorgensen receiving a 2008 NDSC Education Award.

September 15, 2008 Self advocates Christi Hockel, Austin Davenport, and Tracy Burke are featured in this story from the Contra Costa (CA) Times. Christi and Austin are members of the NDSC’s Self Advocate Council.

September 10, 2008 The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric tackles the issue of prenatal diagnosis in this expanded version of a story that was broadcast.

September 10, 2008 The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric presents a story on prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

September 10, 2008 CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric discusses prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome in her "Notebook" segment.

September 10, 2008 Labspaces.net offers a summary of a June 2008 article from the journal Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The article discusses the case of a 70 year old man with Down syndrome who is in good health and shows no sign of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Click here for the full, in-depth article.

September 8, 2008 NDSC members Heidi Moore and Michelle McCarthy, along with NDSC Executive Director David Tolleson are quoted in this Associated Press article about awareness related to Sarah Palin and her son.

September 8, 2008 NDSC Governmental Affairs Director Susan Goodman and Executive Director David Tolleson are quoted in this USA Today.

September 5, 2008 Newsweek quotes NDSC Executive Director David Tolleson and others in this story regarding the impact of Sarah Palin's son, who has Down syndrome, on the national discussion about services for those with disabilities.

September 3, 2008 KKTV in Colorado Springs spotlights the family of NDSC Board member Jim Faber in this story about Down syndrome. NDSC Partnership Alliance member and Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association Executive Director Julie Harmon is also featured.

September 1, 2008 Self advocate and 2008 NDSC Convention exhibitor Connor Gifford appears on NBC's Today, discussing his book, "America According to Connor Gifford", co-authored with Victoria Harris. Excerpts from the book can be found on the Today/MSNBC site, with a link to the video to the right.

September 1, 2008 Self advocate John Franklin Stephens of Virginia writes about why the use of the word "retard" is hurtful in this opinion piece for The Denver Post.

August 25, 2008 In Dream Online, Matthew Cyr reports on the Adaptive Dance Program run by Children’s Hospital Boston and Boston Ballet. Program participants performed during the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress at the Opening Reception of the 2008 NDSC National Convention.

August 22, 2008 In this op-ed piece from The Guardian (U.K.), NDSC Executive Director David Tolleson argues that "Tropic Thunder" undermines efforts to ensure that individuals with disabilities are treated respectfully.

August 18, 2008 Special Olympics athlete, Loretta Claiborne, and Board Chair, Timothy Shriver, discuss the "Tropic Thunder" controversy on "Good Morning America". On the website, look for the video by air date.

August 17, 2008 In this Chicago Tribune op-ed piece about "Tropic Thunder", University of Chicago at Illinois professor Lennard J. Davis asks who gets to decide whether a joke is humor or humiliation – the jester, or the object of the jest?

August 17, 2008 Ben Stiller and his associates from "Tropic Thunder" are reminded that free speech should be used responsibly, in this editorial in the Tuscaloosa (AL) News.

August 16, 2008 Wes Carter, the father of a child with Down syndrome and editor for dallasnews.com, uses the "Tropic Thunder" controversy to discuss the hurtful impact of the "r-word".

August 16, 2008 An editorial in DelawareOnline notes that, contrary to what filmmakers believe, advocates understand that "Tropic Thunder" was meant to be humorous. However, the filmmakers don’t seem to realize the harm they’re causing.

August 14, 2008 NDSC Executive Director David Tolleson, actor and self advocate Eddie Barbanell, and journalist Pat Bauer (www.patriciaebauer.com) discussed the problems with the DreamWorks film "Tropic Thunder" on Fox Network’s "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliette".

August 13, 2008 NDSC Partnership Alliance member and Down Syndrome of Louisville Executive Director Diana Merzweiler is featured in this WHAS-TV story about the "Tropic Thunder" controversy.

August 12, 2008 National Public Radio reports on the controversy surrounding "Tropic Thunder".

August 12, 2008 ABC News reporter Luchina Fisher reports on the national backlash against the DreamWorks Studios film "Tropic Thunder". In the article, NDSC Executive Director, David Tolleson, says, "until you make cultural changes, the job is not complete."

August 12, 2008 The Washington Post reports on disability rights organizations protesting at the Hollywood premiere of DreamWorks Studios film, "Tropic Thunder". NDSC is a founding member of the coalition of disability-rights organizations responding to the film.

August 10, 2008 Michael Cieply reports on the gathering call for a protest of the DreamWorks Studios film, "Tropic Thunder." NDSC Executive Director, David Tolleson, is quoted after having seen a special screening of the film last Friday.

August 5, 2008 NDSC members Michelle Sie Whitten and Lloyd Lewis joined forces in a successful benefit for the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Educational Fund and the ARC Thrift of Colorado, as reported in this Denver Post article.