A Letter from the President
by Brad Rivard I’ve become fond of the phrase “Frustration and anxiety live in the space between reality and expectation”. For Rachael and I, we really started to feel that […]
Summer Camp Fun
by Maria Leestma Artists Creating Together Camp People from ACT got ready for summer at art camp at Meijer Gardens. They brought yarn, wire, watercolor paint, paint brushes, rocks, crayons, […]
Celebrating an Extra Chromosome
by Ruth Lee Dear Fellow Travelers My road to Independence is currently under construction. The work can be messy, noisy, irritating, and inconvenient. Ride with me. Expect speed bumps, pot […]
God Answered My Prayers in a Coffee Shop
Lori Tepastte, Grand Rapids On February 9, 2016, I sat in the waiting room with my husband and our immediate family at a local hospital waiting for the arrival of […]
Change for the Better
Chloe Peters, Forest Hills I was always considered the princess of the family. Surrounded by two big brothers, habitually I was spoiled and always obtained what I wanted. Photographs of […]
Stepping Up to the Plate
Now in its 22nd year, the Step Up for Down Syndrome fundraiser and celebration has grown from only a handful of participants to the largest Down syndrome awareness event in […]
Allie’s Corner
Allie Cowden is DSAWM’s long-time intern. While working in the office, she assists with mailings, puts together our new member packets, and lends a hand for programming set-up. Allie turns […]
An Inclusive Summer
Katherine Mills, Kalamazoo It’s funny how God chooses to fix things that are broken in your life. He has used my daughter (who rocks an extra chromosome) to help transform […]
My Sister Chloe
Peyton Brill, Grand Haven Down syndrome is something that many people struggle to understand. I’ve spent the last 11 years learning about it from my younger sister Chloe and there’s […]
Thank You
2017 was a year of change for the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan. In late Spring, DSAWM experienced a complete staff turnover. As those with whom many of you […]
Chatting With Allie
Allie Cowden is a self-described busy lady. When she’s not studying for her college class or downhill skiing at Cannonsburg Ski Resort, she splits her time between her CLS program […]
Step Up for Down Syndrome Raises Awareness
Attendance at DSAWM Step Up for Down Syndrome has grown over the past several years. In fact, after three consecutive years of record breaking fundraising and crowds well over 1,000 […]
Bringing Home Sam
Erica Bode, Ada “I want to adopt a child,” I told my husband over the phone while running errands. “I want to adopt a child with Down syndrome. Actually, there […]
An Inclusive College Experience
Emily Perton, Holland Recently I was taking a walk through Hope College’s campus. As I walked, I came across a mentor from the Ready for Life program. We talked about […]
Thinking Outside of the Box
Katrina Curtis, Byron Center When my daughter Cora was two years old she was still struggling with lack of physical strength, muscle coordination, and core muscle use. She was receiving […]
“My Hero Brother” is funny, touching and true-to-life – Tom Hackett, DSAWM President
Compliments of The Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids, several members the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan attended a Monday, May 1, 2017 motion picture at The Jewish Film Festival. […]
Inside Outing | Unique Golf Outing Raises Money for Down Syndrome
On Friday, February 3rd, 120 people competed in The Inside Outing – an indoor mini-golf tournament at the Courtyard Marriott in Downtown Grand Rapids. Presented by Godwin Plumbing, the event offered […]
Dear Betsy DeVos | A mother’s message to the President’s pick for Education Secretary
Dear Ms. DeVos, I know that you and your family care about children. I live and work in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the contributions of the DeVos family are evident […]
Rock Your Socks at the World Down Syndrome Day Sock Hop
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is is a global Down syndrome awareness day recognized by the United Nations General Assembly. WDSD is observed on the 21st day of the 3rd month, in honor […]
DSAWM Offers Free Programs For Families Experiencing Down Syndrome
It’s time to renew your DSAWM membership! To better serve the Down syndrome community, DSAWM is offering free programs to for our families experiencing Down syndrome. Bike Camp, Cooking Capers, […]
