Improving the quality of life for Russian children with Down syndrome Express News Downside Up June 2010

Downside Up Blog

Dear Friends, We are grateful to all of you who came to Vorobievy Gory and took part in the first Charity Run in aid of children with Down syndrome. Read more about the event in this issue. In summer the pupils of Downside Up Early Intervention Centre are on vacation, but the staff continues work: teachers consult families from Russian regions and former CIS countries and maintain the Internet forum for parents on our website; resource teachers conduct seminars and trainings for colleagues in Yekaterinburg and Nizhny Novgorod. Such unceasing operation is very important, because every day 6 or 7 children with Down syndrome are born in Russia. We are helping them. Anyone can help. Our sincere thanks for supporting us! In this issue: Some people ran, others watched, everyone helped the children Children with Down syndrome live in all parts of the world: three days in Simferopol Funds needed for a family summer camp The new issue of 47=46 for you CHARITY SPORTS: registration for 2010 Charity Bike Ride is on! Have you dreamed having a Labrador all your life of? :) Now is your chance!

Some people ran, others watched, everyone helped the children

Vladimir Kovalchuk: “My apprehension about such children vanished after the run…” The 29th May, Saturday, was the first sunny day after a week of rain, and it was no mere coincidence – on that day the first Charity Run in aid of children with Down syndrome was held on Vorobievy Gory, Moscow. 101 people took part from 15 countries: Russia, Canada, the US, France, New Zealand, Sweden, Israel etc.; the youngest participant was 4 years old, the oldest 55. In summary they ran 311 km in 23 hours. The total amount of funds donated by private individuals and companies - 205,000 rubles - will go for supporting children with Down syndrome in Russian regions and former CIS countries. Many thanks to all the event participants and partners! Read about the results and see the photos here.

Children with Down syndrome live in all parts of the world: three days in Simferopol

On 16th -18th April a new training project for speech therapists was initiated in Simferopol. The first out of 5 seminars contemplated under the project drew specialists not only from Simferopol, but from 15 other Ukrainian cities. Many cities sent teams of professionals from kindergartens, rehabilitation centres, schools and boarding schools for disabled children. Thus, Odessa was represented by 8 speech therapists and psychologists. To learn more please read

Funds needed for a family holiday camp

If you want to help a child - help his parents. On the very day a child joins early intervention programmes, Downside Up specialists become the parents’ partners in bringing up the child. Therefore when a child finishes the programmes, parting may be a hard time for the parents. In June 2010, 8 families of DSU graduates will spend a week in a summer camp in close contact with Downside Up psychologists and teachers. The specialists will help the parents to develop a harmonious relationship with their children, will teach them how to apply learning and development methods in play and everyday living, and discuss socialization and inclusion issues, etc. The parents have already donated a bulk sum covering accommodation, but we still need 80,000 rubles for other expenses. We will be very grateful for your donations. Any sum will make a difference. To make a donation

The new issue of 47=46 for you

The new issue of 47=46 is out! It has stories about the Fund, its pupils, friends and partners. Read this issue and find answers to such questions as: Was Henry Ford right? or Do you agree that “down” (a Russian cliché for “individual with Down syndrome”) should not be used as a swear-word? You will learn that 90 children with Down syndrome attend Moscow schools, or that a bicycle can be a dancing partner… and much more. Read the on-line issue here. Please contact Ksenya Chernyavskaya ksenya@downsideup.org, if you want to send the printed copies to your friends.

CHARITY SPORTS: registration for 2010 Charity Bike Ride is on!

15th anniversary of Charity Red Square Bike Ride! For fifteen years every August we have pedaled towards the finishing line in Vasilievsky Spusk, Red Square, to support children with Down syndrome. Are you with us this year? Dear company representatives, please write to Yana Yakusheva at yanaya@downsideup.org. Dear sport fans, please contact Ksenya Chernyavskaya at ksenya@downsideup.org

Have you dreamed of having a Labrador all your life? :) Now is your chance!

Tatiana, a committed friend of Downside Up, has worked out a singular plan to help us. She is willing to give 3 or 4 Labrador-Retriever puppies to new owners. The money raised will go for supporting children with Down syndrome. The highbred puppies (twice removed nephews and nieces of Vladimir Putin’s Labrador Koni) have inherited the best qualities of this bread and are ready to become your good friends. The puppies (a black male, one fauve and two black females) are 2 months old now. All the documents are in place and the puppies have been inoculated. Tatiana’s main concern is that the dogs should have competent and caring owners. The entire sum of the donation 20,000 rubles should be transferred to Downside Up. If you are interested, or know someone who would like to purchase a highbred Labrador, please call 8 916 612 1408. A potential owner will need to fill in a Sberbank pay slip and transfer the money for Downside Up programmes.