Archive for July 25th, 2023

(pictured L-R) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Awardee Eric Latcheran, Awardee Melissa Silverman, Congressman Tom Cole

In a heartwarming celebration of talent, perseverance, and advocacy, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) recognized the remarkable accomplishments of two extraordinary individuals with Down syndrome at the 2023 AcceptAbility Gala in Washington, DC. Eric Latcheran and Melissa Silverman were honored with the inaugural Rosa DeLauro and Tom Cole GLOBAL Advancement Awards to support their continuing education.

At the AcceptAbility Gala, GLOBAL recognized the transformative leadership of Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Tom Cole by unveiling post-secondary awards in their names. This gesture highlights their unwavering dedication to advancing the rights and opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. The Rosa DeLauro and Tom Cole GLOBAL Advancement Awards will continue to inspire and support future generations in their pursuit of furthering their education and personal growth.

Eric Latcheran: Inaugural Rosa DeLauro GLOBAL Advancement Award Recipient

Eric, a shining example of resilience and determination, was bestowed with the inaugural Rosa DeLauro GLOBAL Advancement Award. This accolade serves as a testament to his exceptional achievements and serves to motivate others in their pursuit of personal growth. Eric’s tenacity knows no bounds, and he has consistently defied expectations.

With his award, Eric has chosen to pursue therapeutic horseback riding, a venture that aligns with his passion for animals and holistic well-being. Equine therapy has been known to improve physical strength, balance, and emotional well-being in individuals with Down syndrome, making it an ideal choice for Eric to further enhance his personal development.

Melissa Silverman: Inaugural Tom Cole GLOBAL Advancement Award Recipient

Melissa, a beacon of inspiration and fortitude, has been honored as the recipient of the inaugural Tom Cole GLOBAL Advancement Award. Her unwavering commitment to personal growth and the betterment of her community has earned her this prestigious recognition.

Melissa will utilize her award to maintain her 90-hour childcare certification. With a profound love for nurturing and supporting children, she understands the significance of quality care and aims to provide the best environment for their growth and development. Melissa’s dedication to her certification exemplifies her commitment to lifelong learning and her unyielding pursuit of excellence.

Eric and Melissa, two remarkable individuals with Down syndrome, have been rightfully honored by GLOBAL with the inaugural Rosa DeLauro and Tom Cole Advancement Awards for their exceptional achievements. These awards serve as a reminder of the limitless potential that lies within every person, regardless of their abilities. Eric’s choice of therapeutic horseback riding and Melissa’s commitment to maintaining her childcare certification reflect their dedication to personal growth and making a positive impact on their communities. Let us celebrate their accomplishments and be inspired by their unwavering determination to overcome barriers and continue to thrive.

See more highlights of the 2023 AcceptAbility Gala here!

Global Down Syndrome Foundation President & CEO Michelle Sie Whitten Brings Large Team on Stage, Describes Their Work as a ‘Team Sport’

DENVER – July 25, 2023—Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) co-founder, president & CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten, received the Exceptional Meritorious Service Award from the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) at their annual convention in Orlando, Florida this past weekend.  Michelle received the award, the highest NDSC honor, for establishing the first Down syndrome research and medical care institute in the U.S. fifteen years ago and for the transformative results her organization has created for children and adults with Down syndrome.

GLOBAL is the leading government advocacy organization for research and medical care specifically for children and adults with Down syndrome. Their work with the Congress, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), scientists and medical professionals and the Down syndrome community has led to the creation of a trans-NIH Down syndrome funding program (INCLUDE) that has provided over $250 million in Down syndrome research funding from 17 different institutes over the last five years alone. Most importantly, the funding has led to game-changing discoveries including four NIH-funded clinical trials (two in Alzheimer’s, one in autoimmune disorders and one in regression) at GLOBAL’s Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome.

NDSC executive director, Jordan Kough, and NDSC chair of the board, Kate Dougherty presented the award to Michelle who received a standing ovation. Michelle brought her team at the convention up on stage and explained that their work is a ‘team sport.’ She thanked the advocates that came before them, the amazing people with Down syndrome GLOBAL serves, Congressional and NIH champions, GLOBAL members and supporters, and the incredible staff at GLOBAL and GLOBAL’s affiliates – Dr. Joaquín Espinosa and the Crnic Institute, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado, the Adult Medical Center at Denver Health, and the Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center all on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

“We are so thrilled to honor Michelle Sie Whitten as our 2023 Exceptional Meritorious Service Award recipient. We are fortunate that her daughter, Sophia, inspired Michelle to create GLOBAL and to dedicate her life to elongating lifespan and improving health outcomes for children and adults with Down syndrome,” said Jordan Kough. “Michelle and GLOBAL fill a much-needed void in medical research and care. We have supported her tireless fight in Washington DC to increase the NIH Down syndrome annual research funding from $16 million in 2004 to $130 million in 2023. The results of that advocacy can be positively felt in our medical community throughout the U.S. and even across the world.”

Each year since 1977, NDSC has presented this award at their annual convention to community leaders who significantly improve the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families. Their convention, the largest Down syndrome conference in the world, attracts well over 3,000 registrants and is in a different city each year. Past Exceptional Meritorious Service Award recipients include Siegfried Pueschel, Jerome LeJeune, Emily Perl Kingsley, Eunice Scriver, Allen Crocker, Sally R. Shott, Anna & John J. Sie, Joan Guthrie Medlen, Maria Dellapina, Dr. Jesus Florez, Dr. Libby Kumin, Dr. Dennis McGuire, Terri Couwenhoven, and Nancy Gianni.

At the award ceremony, with GLOBAL executives and representatives Frank Stephens, Bryn Gelaro, Dr. Espinosa, David Tolleson, Brad Hennefer, Taylor Murphy and others by her side, Michelle thanked the NDSC, “NDSC welcomed me and my new ideas from the very beginning and through this powerful magnet of a convention they allowed GLOBAL, and so many other Down syndrome organizations, to connect, learn and grow with our community. They see us, value us, and know that we are future collaborators not competitors and that openness and leadership truly allow 1,000 flowers to bloom.”

Every year GLOBAL hosts the GLOBAL Research & Medical Care Roundtable at the NDSC Annual Convention as a free benefit to convention attendees. This year over 400 people attended to learn about the latest developments and treatments associated with eye and vision care, feeding and swallowing issues, adult care, important research at the NIH and Crnic Institutes and more. In addition to the roundtable, GLOBAL and NDSC publish a free prenatal and newborn pamphlet that has recently been joined by NDSS as a supporter. GLOBAL and NDSC also support each other’s key initiatives such as the GLOBAL Adult Medical Guideline and the NDSC Sibling and Educational toolkits and conferences.

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About Global Down Syndrome Foundation

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL has donated more than $32 million to establish the first Down syndrome research institute supporting over 400 scientists and over 2,200 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 100 Down syndrome organizations worldwide, and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, and the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus. 

GLOBAL’s widely circulated medical publications include Global Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal & Newborn Down Syndrome Information and the award-winning magazine Down Syndrome World^TM . GLOBAL also organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit globaldownsyndrome.org and follow us on social media (Facebook & Twitter: @GDSFoundation, Instagram: @globaldownsyndrome).