Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category

Geena Davis, Maria Menounos and Kennedy Garcia Lead Star-Studded 2026 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show

September 29th, 2026 by Alex Semancik

Menounos and Garcia to receive GLOBAL’s highest honor as celebrities unite to support life-changing research and care at the world’s largest Down syndrome fundraiser

DENVER, CO – Sept. 29, 2026 – The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is thrilled to announce that Academy Award-winning actor and disability inclusion advocate Geena Davis has joined an extraordinary celebrity lineup for its 2026 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show on Saturday, November 7, at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

A celebrated actor, author, producer and advocate, Davis has spent more than two decades pushing Hollywood to tell fuller, truer stories. In 2004, she founded the Geena Davis Institute, a research organization that measures who appears on screen and how, then works directly with studios and creators to close the gaps. What began as a focus on gender has grown to include people with disabilities and other communities too often left out of the picture. That mission is closely aligned with the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, where models with Down syndrome take center stage.

Maria Menounos and Kennedy Garcia will receive the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, GLOBAL’s highest honor, at the event, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. The Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award is named for the late music legend and longtime friend of the Sie/Whitten family and a devoted GLOBAL supporter, Quincy Jones. It recognizes individuals whose advocacy has meaningfully improved the lives of people with Down syndrome.

Menounos is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actor, New York Times best-selling author and digital entrepreneur. Her career includes becoming the youngest host of Entertainment Tonight, conducting the only sit-down interview with the Obama family and founding AfterBuzz TV, the streaming network that popularized digital TV after-shows. She is also a long-time supporter of Special Olympics and Best Buddies. Today she hosts the Noovie cinema pre-show, guest hosts Live with Kelly and Mark and hosts the daily podcast Heal Squad x Maria Menounos. The podcast is dedicated to helping others heal and improve their lives, a mission inspired by her own survival of brain tumor surgery.

Garcia made history as the first person with Down syndrome to have a recurring role on American daytime television, playing Felicity Greene on Days of Our Lives since 2024. She was discovered by American Girl as the brand’s first model with Down syndrome. Since then, she has appeared in campaigns for Disney, Instagram and McDonald’s, including the company’s 2023 Super Bowl campaign, and her acting credits include 9-1-1, Sesame Street and the award-winning short film Brownies. Garcia is an ambassador for Best Buddies International and Breaking the Chains Foundation and has spoken at more than 100 schools and colleges nationwide about inclusion, friendship and authentic disability representation.

“Every year, I am moved by the remarkable people who choose to stand with GLOBAL and the awesome people with Down syndrome we serve,” says Michelle Sie Whitten, President and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. “Geena, Maria and Kennedy truly believe in GLOBAL’s work to increase lifespan and dramatically improve health outcomes and frankly we couldn’t do it without them and our celebrities who show up every year.”

“The Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show is joyful, glamorous and, I would even go as far as to say, magical. But it also raises life-saving funds that have helped drive historic progress, including a 10-year increase in life expectancy for people with Down syndrome,” continues Whitten. “As a parent, I cannot think of anything more important than 10 more birthdays. And our work is not done. We need another 10 years — and we need those years to be healthier. We’re so grateful to everyone helping us change the future for good.”

This year’s newly announced guests join first-time and returning celebrity supporters: six-time Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor; NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis; award-winning actor John C. McGinley; Grey’s Anatomy actors Caterina Scorsone, Alexis Floyd, Niko Terho and Anthony Hill; actors Beverley Mitchell, Max Carver and Shelley Hennig; actor and model Amanda Booth; co-emcees and 9NEWS anchors Kim Christiansen and Phil Lipof; and Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Naomi and Renee.

The evening will also celebrate 2026 GLOBAL Ambassador Letizia Napoleone and is co-chaired by Edit & Tamas Viski-Hanka and Alexandra & Sean Swierczewski.

The 2026 event comes at a pivotal moment for GLOBAL’s government advocacy. The foundation is leading the bipartisan DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act, named for the late GLOBAL Ambassador DeOndra Dixon, sister of GLOBAL supporter and Academy Award- and Grammy Award-winning artist Jamie Foxx. The bill must be passed by the end of 2026 and would formally authorize the Down syndrome research program at the NIH called the INCLUDE Project.

When GLOBAL was founded, NIH funding was just $14 million a year. GLOBAL’s bipartisan advocacy resulted in the NIH INCLUDE Project in 2018, launching a renaissance in Down syndrome research that has driven more than $528 million in research investment over the past eight years.

The Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, now in its 19th year, is the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world, and a major contributor to GLOBAL’s transformative work. More than 1,400 guests come together each year for an unforgettable evening featuring celebrities, inspiring models with Down syndrome, dinner, live and silent auctions, and powerful stories that celebrate the extraordinary contributions of people with Down syndrome.

Proceeds from the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show support the important work of GLOBAL and GLOBAL’s affiliates, including a team of more than 400 scientists working on breakthrough life-saving research at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the CU Alzheimer’s & Cognition Center; a dream team of medical professionals providing excellent medical care to more than 2,700 patients from 40 states, Puerto Rico and 10 countries at the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the GLOBAL Adult Clinic at Denver Health.    

To learn more, visit: https://bebeautifulbeyourself.org/ and follow us on social media for updates: Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.    

To sponsor a table or buy tickets, visit: https://bebeautifulbeyourself.org/be-beautiful-be-yourself-fashion-show-tables/ or https://bebeautifulbeyourself.org/be-beautiful-be-yourself-fashion-show-tickets/.    

For celebrity interviews, additional information, imagery, or to cover the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, please contact trishdavis0707@gmail.com. For more information on the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, please visit www.globaldownsyndrome.org.

GLOBAL Honors David Tolleson’s 25 Years of Service by Establishing Emergency Relief Award Program in His Name

September 24th, 2026 by Alex Semancik

New Fund Will Provide Emergency Grants to People with Down Syndrome and Their Families, With Donations Matched up to $50,000 Through December 2026

Please specify you are donating to David Tolleson’s Emergency Relief Award Program when making a donation

DENVER, CO, September 24, 2026 — The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) today announced that Vice President of Strategic Alliances David Tolleson will retire from his full-time role after dedicating 25 years of his career to serving people with Down syndrome, their families and the organizations that support them.

To honor Tolleson’s extraordinary service and ensure that his commitment to helping families continues for years to come, GLOBAL is establishing the David Tolleson GLOBAL Emergency Relief Awards program. The program will initially provide multiple emergency grants of approximately $1,000 each year to people with Down syndrome and their families facing urgent and extraordinary needs.

GLOBAL has established an initial fundraising goal of $250,000 for the program. As fundraising grows, GLOBAL hopes to expand both the number and size of the awards. To help launch the effort, a generous anonymous donor has agreed to match every contribution dollar for dollar, up to $50,000, through December 31, 2026.

“It is incredibly meaningful—and so completely David—that the legacy he wants to leave is one that helps people in our community during their most difficult moments,” says Michelle Sie Whitten, GLOBAL Co-Founder, President and CEO. “David was my mentor for many years, and it was a tremendous honor to recruit him to establish and lead GLOBAL’s Strategic Alliances department. At NDSC, he created a warm, welcoming and collaborative culture where a thousand flowers could bloom. He brought that same generosity of spirit to GLOBAL, strengthening our relationships, supporting our member organizations and reminding all of us that our community is strongest when we work together.”

Before joining GLOBAL in 2021, Tolleson served for 19 years as Executive Director of the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC). Under his leadership, NDSC expanded its national advocacy, education and family-support efforts and strengthened its Annual Convention, the nation’s largest gatherings of people with Down syndrome, their families and the professionals who support them.

At GLOBAL, Tolleson created and led the Strategic Alliances department, overseeing the Foundation’s growing Membership Program, membership benefits such as the GLOBAL Education and Employment Awards, quarterly GLOBAL Webinars, and numerous advocacy and resource collaborations. Through his outreach, leadership and personal relationships, he helped GLOBAL expand its network of member organizations and fostered a culture in which local organizations could learn from one another, form partnerships and strengthen programs benefiting people with Down syndrome and their families.

“Serving the Down syndrome community for the past 25 years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” says David Tolleson, GLOBAL Vice President of Strategic Alliances. “During my five years at GLOBAL, I have been deeply inspired by Michelle’s leadership and by an organization whose advocacy has secured historic investments in research and medical care—work that has contributed to an approximately 10-year increase in life expectancy for people with Down syndrome since 2003. What Michelle has built, and what I have been privileged to help advance with our extraordinary GLOBAL team, is truly remarkable. It is just like Michelle to honor me in a way that touches my heart most: by helping people with Down syndrome and their families when they are facing their greatest challenges.”

 

The new award program is already inspiring support. Shawna Lucas, a longtime friend of Tolleson’s, GLOBAL supporter, and the first donor to the David Tolleson GLOBAL Emergency Relief Awards, made her gift even before the program was formally announced.

“I am honored to be part of this GLOBAL campaign to raise funds for the families of self-advocates in need,” says Lucas. “Growing up with a brother who had Down syndrome, I am keenly aware of the sacrifices made by families who are dealing with complex medical issues, as well as routine “life” issues. This fund will help bridge the gap when help is needed.”

“David has a rare gift for making every person feel welcomed, respected and important,” says former NDSC President Marilyn Tolbert. “I have experienced firsthand how his warmth, collaborative leadership and genuine love for people with Down syndrome helped create a community where families, self-advocates and organizations could flourish. The David Tolleson GLOBAL Emergency Relief Award Program is a wonderful reflection of David’s heart and a fitting way to continue his extraordinary legacy of service.”

The David Tolleson GLOBAL Emergency Relief Award Program

The new program builds upon GLOBAL’s experience responding rapidly to families and organizations in crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GLOBAL redirected its Education and Employment Awards to establish Emergency Relief GLOBAL Grants.

Through those efforts, GLOBAL provided emergency support to more than 200 people with Down syndrome and their families, as well as Down syndrome organizations serving communities in need. The awards helped provide groceries and other basic necessities, medical care and supplies, housing and utility assistance, transportation and emergency organizational support.

The David Tolleson GLOBAL Emergency Relief Award Program will carry this experience forward by providing timely assistance in circumstances such as:

  • Urgent medical, transportation or accessibility needs not covered by insurance or other programs;
  • The loss of housing, food or essential utilities following a family crisis or natural disaster;
  • The death, hospitalization or sudden loss of income of a primary caregiver; including support for relocation following the unexpected death of a self-advocate’s primary caregiver.

The program will begin by providing multiple grants of approximately $1,000. As additional funds are raised, GLOBAL hopes to increase the number of people served and, where circumstances warrant, the amount of assistance available.

Although he is retiring from his full-time position, Tolleson will continue his service to the community as a member of the GLOBAL Emergency Relief Committee that will review applications, help select recipients and present the awards.

“David has always seen the person behind every program, partnership and award,” Whitten continued. “This program reflects his instinct to listen, welcome people in and help wherever the need is greatest. Our goal is to raise $250,000 so that David’s extraordinary legacy of compassion and service can continue to provide hope and tangible support to families experiencing the most difficult moments of their lives.”

Donations made to the David Tolleson GLOBAL Emergency Relief Award Program through December 31, 2026, will be matched dollar for dollar, up to a total of $50,000, by a generous anonymous donor.

A Roadmap for Families: Expanding Access to Down Syndrome Health Information in Ukraine

August 28th, 2026 by Tara Zeman

In 2024, two years after the war in Ukraine began, GLOBAL was introduced to the incredible team at the Ukrainian Down Syndrome Organization. Since then, our organizations have worked together to make trusted Down syndrome health resources available in Ukrainian. In this conversation, their team shares why access to reliable information matters and what they hope these resources will mean for families across Ukraine.


GLOBAL: Can you tell us a little about the history of the Ukrainian Down Syndrome Organization and how your work has evolved over time?

UKRAINIAN DOWN SYNDROME ORGANIZATION: Our organization was founded in 2003 by parents who had children with Down syndrome and who strived to ensure a better future for their children. Over these years, we have supported more than 2000 families and have grown from a small support group into a professional structure with over 20 people involved in implementing systemic changes: from early childhood development and inclusive education to building communities and providing professional support to families across the country.

 

GLOBAL: Why is it important to have trusted Down syndrome health information available in Ukrainian?

UKRAINIAN DOWN SYNDROME ORGANIZATION: For a long time in Ukraine, there was a lack of high-quality medical knowledge adapted for parents and professionals. Reliable information in Ukrainian is not just facts; it is a tool to overcome stigma, better understand individual needs, and ensure the right to a quality life and health.

 

GLOBAL: What do you hope these resources will mean for people with Down syndrome, their families, and health care providers in Ukraine?

UKRAINIAN DOWN SYNDROME ORGANIZATION: For families, these materials serve as a “roadmap” that provides confidence and reduces the fear of the unknown. For medical professionals, they offer an opportunity to rely on modern global protocols, which fundamentally changes the quality of care a child receives from the very first days of life.

 

GLOBAL: Is there anything you would like people outside of Ukraine to know about your organization or the Down syndrome community in Ukraine right now?

UKRAINIAN DOWN SYNDROME ORGANIZATION: We want people outside of Ukraine to know that the Ukrainian community of families raising children and adults with Down syndrome consists of incredibly resilient, talented, and caring people. Despite all the challenges, we continue to develop, build an inclusive environment, and believe in the power of partnership. We are not just “surviving.” We are living, learning, and striving to make the world equal for everyone.

 

GLOBAL: If you are comfortable sharing, how has the war changed the needs of people with Down syndrome and their families in Ukraine, or made access to trusted health information more important?

UKRAINIAN DOWN SYNDROME ORGANIZATION: The war has made access to information a vital necessity. Due to forced displacement, thousands of families found themselves in new circumstances, often without access to their regular doctors. In such conditions, professional online resources become the only source of help, allowing parents to monitor their child’s health independently and make informed decisions in critical situations. Furthermore, there is a great demand for psychological/psychiatric care specifically tailored to people with Down syndrome. However, specialists-psychiatrists, psychologists, and neurologists – with specific expertise are very few. We are grateful for your sharing of experience today and in the future.

 

GLOBAL Announces 2026 Education Awards to Advance Down Syndrome Research, Medical Care, and Healthcare

August 28th, 2026 by MaryKate Vandemark

Awards continue to invest in innovative programs that improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome!

DENVER (August 27, 2026) – The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) announces the recipients of its 2026 GLOBAL Education Awards, recognizing outstanding programs that educate through Down syndrome research, medical care, and healthcare. Through these annual awards, GLOBAL continues its commitment to supporting organizations that are expanding access to evidence-based healthcare, educating medical professionals, and improving the quality of life for people with Down syndrome across the United States and around the world.

The 2026 GLOBAL Education Awards will support 10 organizations with a total investment of $75,000. The funded programs are expected to benefit nearly 1,000 individuals with Down syndrome, family members, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community partners.

Since launching the Awards Program in 2011, GLOBAL has invested more than $1.38M through 379 awards to member organizations across 39 states and 8 countries, helping strengthen local programs that make a measurable difference in health outcomes for people with Down syndrome.

“Our member organizations are transforming lives by bringing education in the areas of research, medical care, and healthcare innovative programs directly into their communities,” says Michelle Sie Whitten, President & CEO of GLOBAL. “As the world’s leading nonprofit dedicated to Down syndrome research and medical care, GLOBAL is proud to invest in programs that empower our organization members, families, and self-advocates while advancing our mission to elongate life and significantly improve health outcomes.”

Rosie van Coevorden, MD, Executive Director of Down Syndrome Center of Puget Sound, shares her excitement about the award, noting, “Thank you so much for this wonderful news! We are incredibly excited and grateful to receive the Global Award for DSC’s Skill-Building Program. This generous support will help ensure that more individuals have access to these valuable, life-changing services and opportunities.”

2026 GLOBAL Education Award recipients include:

Black Down Syndrome Association, Fortville, IN:
Black Down Syndrome Association Family Reunion Conference
Attendees will have opportunities to participate in conference sessions focusing on best practices and medical guidelines for those with Down syndrome, advances in Alzheimer’s research, and mental health support.

Boston University DS-TO-THE-MAX Co-research Team, Boston, MA
DS-TO-THE-MAX Co-research team
This request is for an ongoing photovoice study exploring aging for older adults with Down syndrome and includes a research assistant with Down syndrome.

Club 21 Learning and Resource Center Inc., Pasadena, CA
Growing Into You: Sexuality, Relationships, & Self-Advocacy
This program helps participants build knowledge of sexuality, and practical skills around healthy relationships, personal boundaries, body autonomy, communication, consent, and self-advocacy.

Down Syndrome Alabama, Vestavia Hills, AL
LACE UP for Down Syndrome
Health and wellness initiative designed to increase access to consistent, meaningful fitness and nutrition opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Association of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Maryland Down Syndrome Aging & Memory Program
Create a new Maryland Down Syndrome Aging & Memory Program. It will consist of support groups, info sessions, and research advocacy.

Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN
Spanish Speaking Families Mental Health Support
Mental health services aim to help families connect to a trusted, accessible source of support, offered at no cost and without having to navigate formal medical care systems.

Down Syndrome Center of Puget Sound, Seattle, WA
Adult Skill-Building Program
Adults aged 18+ work one-on-one with a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Occupational Therapist (OT), or Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). This award helps bridge any financial gaps by prioritizing new clients who have limited access to service providers.

Down Syndrome Connections Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
Annual Las Vegas Down Syndrome Conference
One-day conference with evidence-based sessions for parents/caregivers, medical and mental health providers, and self-advocates.

Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas, Fort Worth, TX
Friday Frogs
Occupational therapy program in collaboration with Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Program at Texas Christian University.

Edmonton Down Syndrome Society, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Family resource navigation services to improve access to medical care
Expansion of family resource navigation services to improve access to medical care and resources.

About Global Down Syndrome Foundation

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to saving lives and dramatically improving health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL has donated more than $32 million to establish the first Down syndrome research institute supporting 400+ scientists and over 2,700 patients from 40 states and 11 countries.

Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the leading advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 130 Down syndrome organizations worldwide and is part of a network of Affiliates — the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome , the CU Alzheimer’s & Cognition Center; the Anna and John J. Sie Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the GLOBAL Adult Clinic at Denver Health.

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  ™. GLOBAL also organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world.

Visit https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/ and follow GLOBAL on social media for updates: Facebook, X, Instagram,  LinkedIn, and YouTube.

To learn more about GLOBAL membership awards, visit:
https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/global-awards/

To learn more about GLOBAL memberships, visit:
https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/global-membership/

To learn more about the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, visit:
https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/

5 Ways to Start the School Year Strong with Education Expert Jennifer Harris

August 25th, 2026 by Tara Zeman

Article written by Jennifer Harris, MSE, Education Specialist at the Anna & John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

The Most Important School Supplies Aren’t in a Backpack

As families prepare for a new school year, it’s easy to focus on backpacks, school supplies, schedules, and IEPs. Those things matter. But some of the most important tools for a successful year can’t be purchased in a store.

A new school year can bring a mix of emotions. Alongside excitement and anticipation, many families worry whether their child will be understood, included, supported, and safe. Those feelings are real, and you are not alone.

While we can’t control every aspect of the school experience, we can build relationships, strengthen communication, and create a team prepared to support our children. The strongest foundations for school success are built through relationships, communication, self-advocacy, and a team that understands your child beyond a diagnosis. Whether your child is entering preschool, starting middle school, or heading back for another year, these five strategies can help set the stage for a positive and meaningful school year.

1. Build Relationships Before You Need Them

One of the best ways to start the school year is by building relationships with the people who support your child. Teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, bus staff, and administrators are all important members of your child’s team. When relationships are established early, it becomes much easier to navigate challenges that may arise later.

Reach out with a short introduction and share your excitement for the year. Starting from a place of connection helps build trust and collaboration.

If your child is a returning student, you may have strong feelings based on previous experiences. Those feelings are valid. While we can’t change the past, a new school year creates opportunities for new conversations and stronger partnerships.

Remember: the strongest school teams aren’t built during difficult moments—they are built long before those moments occur.

2. Share Your Child’s Strengths First

When introducing your child to educators, it can be tempting to begin with support needs, accommodations, or concerns. While those things are important, they shouldn’t be the first thing people learn about your child. Start with who your child is.

What makes them laugh? What are their interests? What are they proud of? What motivates them? What do they love talking about?

And whenever possible, find ways to help your child participate in sharing that information. Some children may enjoy recording a video, selecting photos, creating an “About Me” page on their AAC device, or using gestures, pictures, or objects to share what is important to them.  Focus less on the format and more on the message: “This is who I am.”

3. Establish Communication Early

Strong communication between home and school is one of the greatest predictors of a successful school year. Rather than waiting until a concern arises, talk early about how communication will happen. Will you use email? A communication notebook? A digital app? Scheduled check-ins?

Just as importantly, think about how your child can participate in that communication. Could they help choose something to share about their day? Use pictures, a communication device, drawings, or a simple rating system to tell you about school? Does the communication system create opportunities for your child to participate?

Communication should not only focus on problems. Sharing successes, friendships, accomplishments, and funny moments helps everyone stay connected and focused on progress.

Sometimes school and home have different ideas on what could or should be shared.  Have a conversation about what is a “need to know” versus a “nice to know” versus a “don’t want to know”

4. Give Your Child a Voice in Their Own School Year

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the opportunity to develop self-advocacy skills. Self-advocacy is not about doing everything independently. It is about helping children understand that their voice matters. Encourage your child to make choices, share preferences and interests, ask for help, express boundaries, and communicate when something is difficult.

Every child communicates, even if they do not use spoken language. Some children communicate through sign language, AAC, gestures, facial expressions, body language, or behavior. All communication deserves to be acknowledged and respected.

Include your child in conversations about their education whenever possible. Ask what they are excited about this year. What would they like to learn? What are they nervous about? What helps them feel successful? These everyday opportunities help children build confidence, agency, and self-determination over time.

5. Celebrate Growth, Not Comparison

As the year unfolds, it can be easy to compare your child’s progress to classmates, siblings, even other kids with Down syndrome, or expectations you may have had. Don’t.

For one student, success may be reading a new book independently. For another, it may be walking into the classroom without anxiety or using AAC to tell a friend, “Can I play too?” for the first time.

All of those accomplishments matter. Growth is not measured by how closely a child follows someone else’s timeline. Growth is measured by progress, confidence, participation, and joy.

Celebrate every victory.  Often, the moments that seem small to others represent tremendous effort, courage, and perseverance.

Final Thought

As you prepare for a new year, remember that the most important school supplies aren’t found in a backpack. They are relationships. They are communication. They are self-advocacy. They are trust. And they are a team that sees your child as a whole person with strengths, interests, dreams, and contributions to make.

When we start there, we create more than a successful school year—we create opportunities for children to learn, participate, belong, and thrive.

No school year will be perfect. There will be challenges and successes. But every child deserves a team that believes in them, listens to them, and creates opportunities to belong.

When children are given opportunities to communicate, make choices, contribute, and be known for who they are, they build something that lasts far beyond a single school year: the confidence that their thoughts, beliefs, preferences, and contributions matter.

Want to Learn More from Education Specialist Jennifer Harris? Make an appointment at the Sie Center today!

Exclusive Interview with the DSA of Southern New Jersey’s Co-Executive Directors #2

August 13th, 2026 by Global Down Syndrome Foundation

   When the Down Syndrome Association of Southern New Jersey (DSASNJ) was formed in 2003, the small group of founding parents were focused on supporting their young children with Down syndrome. As those children have grown and blossomed over 20 years, DSASNJ has grown to service individuals and families from the prenatal stage to adulthood. The organization proudly serves over 120 families across the Southern New Jersey region.

Earlier this month, GLOBAL Vice President – Strategic Alliances, David Tolleson, met with Terri Bank and Dria Law, Co-Executive Directors of the DSASNJ, to discuss their work to build community and why they strongly support GLOBAL’s mission and resources, including the Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome.

DAVID: Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to speak with me today. So excited to learn more about your important work. My first question is, how did you end up running a Down syndrome organization?

TERRI: My son was born in 2001. There was another group in the area that is still around and we’re very friendly with them, but at the time that group was focused on young teenagers and they really weren’t doing anything for young children. So, in 2003, 4 of us – all moms – started KIIDS. I started as co-chair but have only been off the board for 2 years since then.

DAVID: And remind me what does KIIDS stands for?

TERRI: Knowledge & Information about Individuals with Down Syndrome, though we’ve recently changed the name.

DRIA: I founded KIIDS when I moved to New Jersey in 2011, when my daughter with Down syndrome was heading into kindergarten. It was the first time since she was born that I really had the chance to take a breath, get my head above water, and take advantage of all the great opportunities and activities for her. Eventually, I found my way to KIIDS. Terri and I really clicked and we’ve been co-chairing for years.

DAVID: Tell us about your decision to change your name from KIIDS to DSANJ.

 

DRIA: It’s something that we kicked around for a couple of years. Going back to when I moved here, it took me awhile finding KIIDS. It wasn’t the easiest acronym to understand. During the pandemic, Terri and I were kicking around how to move from more of a social group to a professional nonprofit. Our constituent group had grown and widened. The children we started with are now young adults. We needed to have a name that better reflects what we do and that is easier for people to find and recognize what we do. It also helps with grant applications. The new name fits the protocol used by most groups nationwide and is easier to find online. We took the opportunity to have a designer fully overhaul our website, to make it much more usable and robust.

DAVID: Is your focus on adults as your population is growing part of the reason you and your board wanted to support the GLOBAL Adult Guidelines with a multi-year pledge?

DRIA: Yes, definitely. Our ages have widened so much. We had to stop and step back for a moment and realize that we have a lot of members over age 20, so we need to expand our activities and what we offer. We also partner with Nancy Hennefer and BUDS, because we have a lot of overlap and they have quite a significant adult population.

TERRI: As we’re doing more partnership activities with BUDS, we’re seeing a lot more people in their 30’s. We don’t know everything that’s going to be needed as this population ages, because there’s not a lot of research or clinical knowledge out there.

DAVID: You’re right. There’s only about a dozen adult Down syndrome clinics in the country, and most of those have severely limited hours or won’t see patients from out of state. GLOBAL has created and is continuing to add medical areas to the guidelines. Today, any healthcare provider anywhere can go online and find our peer-reviewed, evidence-based resource and understand how to better serve their patients with Down syndrome.

TERRI: It is so needed.

DRIA: We’ve pushed the Guidelines out. For those families who are paying attention and are aware, I’m sure it’s very helpful. We want to get it into more hands.

DAVID: Beyond the Adult Guidelines, how does GLOBAL’s research and medical care work make a difference to families in your community?

DRIA: We have a group that it definitely makes a difference for and a group that we’ve yet to reach. I remember the first time I went to the GLOBAL Research & Medical Care Roundtable at the NDSC Convention – I was blown away with the information and resources and depth of knowledge. More and more of our families have gone to the Roundtable over the years and that has been their introduction to GLOBAL. Those are the families that attend the webinars and read the materials and benefit. For those who don’t attend, they’re missing out.

TERRI: I think a lot of people don’t look for information until they need it, which is probably human nature.

DAVID: So many people get their information from social media these days. One thing you might want to consider is when you see a post about the Adult Guidelines, the Prenatal & Newborn Pamphlet, the various research studies, or other information you’d like your families to see, share it on your page.

DRIA: When I think about what had the biggest impact – what put GLOBAL on the map for our families – it was the Congressional hearing and Frank Stephens’ testimony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_DfwMxEwDM). Many of our families had heard of GLOBAL and knew about GLOBAL in a general sense. But Frank’s testimony was so impactful. It really brought the message home to a lot of our families that research is crucial. Hearing “self-advocate”, “congressional hearing”, “NIH”, and some of the funding numbers discussed was really impactful.

DAVID: Frank did an amazing job. We’re blessed to have him as a member of our Board. My last question is, do you have any advice to share parents – either new or those with a bit more experience?

TERRI: My biggest advice for parents is just get involved. Go to the events. Talk to new parents and old parents because that’s how we learn. We learn so much just by communicating with other parents through every stage of life. I’ve always learned by talking to someone who is a year or two ahead of me on this journey.

 

DRIA: Get involved and know there’s an amazing community out there for you. It’s so easy to stay in your own bubble, especially in those early, scary days. Get involved with other families. Check out the groups that are there and see what’s a good fit for your family. There are so many resources out there, like GLOBAL, and in the wider disability community, too. You’ll find reassurance, acceptance, and understanding. One of our goals with DSASNJ is to broaden the network of disability rights organizations we work with beyond the Down syndrome community. It really helps when working with school districts and the community.

DAVID: Particularly when you’re talking about advocacy on the state and federal level. Any meaningful change that has occurred over the years in disability rights has been by people working together. Thank you both for your time. You’re doing amazing things and paying it forward. It’s like you said, Terri – we’re now the more “seasoned” parents, but we learned it from those who came before us and now we need to pass it on to those coming behind us.

TERRI: When my son, Michael, was born, I was told that I was going to meet the best people and I thought, “I don’t need anymore friends,” but now I don’t know what I would do without this community.

 

U.S. Senate Passes DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act

August 7th, 2026 by Tara Zeman

Bill to authorize the first NIH-wide Down syndrome research program heads back to the House for final approval before advancing to the President’s desk

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 7, 2026 — Yesterday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan DeOndra Dixon NIH INCLUDE Project Act (S. 1838), to authorize the National Institutes of Health’s INCLUDE Project—the first NIH-wide research initiative dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for people with Down syndrome.

Led by Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), yesterday’s Senate passage follows the July 20th House of Representatives’ unanimous approval of companion legislation (H.R. 3491), led by Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Richard Hudson (R-NC). Now the bill heads back to the House for one final vote in September before it is sent to the President for his signature.

Established in 2018 after years of advocacy by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) and bipartisan leaders in Congress, the NIH INCLUDE Project has advanced groundbreaking research into Alzheimer’s disease, immune dysregulation and autoimmune conditions, sleep apnea, cancer, heart disease, liver dysfunction, metabolism, growth, and other serious health conditions while expanding clinical trial opportunities for people with Down syndrome from just two studies to fifteen.

The bill honors the memory and legacy of beloved GLOBAL Ambassador DeOndra Dixon – the inspiration for GLOBAL’s highest honor, the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, and a beloved presence at GLOBAL events alongside her big brother, Jamie Foxx, and their family.

“DeOndra brought so much joy, love and light into our lives, and she was incredibly proud to be a GLOBAL Ambassador and advocate,” says Academy Award-winning actor and Grammy Award-winning musician Jamie Foxx. “My family and I are deeply grateful to Michelle and the GLOBAL team, and to Senators John Hickenlooper and Jerry Moran for their leadership and commitment to passing the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act. Knowing that DeOndra’s name and advocacy will help people with Down syndrome live longer, healthier lives means more to us than words can express.”

“Today’s Senate passage is an extraordinary bipartisan victory and brings us one major step closer to permanently protecting the first NIH-wide Down syndrome research program,” says Michelle Sie Whitten, President and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. “We are profoundly grateful to Senators John Hickenlooper and Jerry Moran for their friendship, tenacity, and years of leadership, and to their colleagues on both sides of the aisle who recognized that people with Down syndrome deserve the same investment in research and opportunities to participate in clinical trials as everyone else. The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act will honor our beloved GLOBAL Ambassador DeOndra Dixon and help ensure that the transformative progress made through INCLUDE continues. We look forward to working with our congressional champions to complete the final steps and see this landmark legislation signed into law.”

“Today is a historic day for the hundreds of thousands of Americans with Down syndrome and their families,” says Senator John Hickenlooper. “DeOndra Dixon was an extraordinary person and advocate whose legacy will help improve lives for generations. We’re proud the bill that bears her name will finally give Down syndrome research the investment it deserves, and we look forward to the breakthroughs it will deliver. We’re especially grateful to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation team and all of the tireless advocates who helped get this important bill across the finish line.”

“For years, I have asked Congress and the NIH to make people with Down syndrome a research priority because our lives are worth living—and worth investing in,” says Frank Stephens, GLOBAL board member, Ambassador, and Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipient. “The Senate’s passage of the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act shows that our voices are being heard. I am grateful to GLOBAL, our congressional champions, and the NIH for helping us live longer, healthier lives, and I’m grateful for our Down syndrome community helping us to make this important bill become law.”

About the Global Down Syndrome Foundation
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest nonprofit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL established the first Down syndrome research institute and supports over 400 scientists and over 2,700 patients with Down syndrome from 40 states and 11 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 120 Down syndrome organizations worldwide and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the GLOBAL Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at Denver Health.

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 annual AcceptAbility Gala in Washington D.C., and the annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit globaldownsyndrome.org and follow us on social media Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Alex Lee, alee@globaldownsyndrome.org, 720-548-5631

 

Celebrities Terrell Davis, John C. McGinley & Caterina Scorsone Join the Largest Down Syndrome Fundraiser in the World

July 30th, 2026 by Tara Zeman

Ambassador Letizia Napoleone and Co-Chairs Edit & Tamas Viski-Hanka and Alexandra & Sean Swierczewski to be honored at GLOBAL’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show on Nov. 7

DENVER, CO – July 30, 2026 – Today, Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) announced celebrities and honorees for their 19th annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show – the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world.

The award-winning event will feature NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, renowned film and TV actor, Scrubs & Rooster star John C. McGinley; beloved actress from the longest primetime TV drama on ABC, Grey’s Anatomy Caterina Scorsone; model and actress Amanda Booth; and award-winning local NBC anchors Kim Christiansen and Phil Lipof, who will emcee the event. GLOBAL expects to announce the full star-studded roster of celebrities and honorees in September. The mission-driven fundraiser, which sells out every year, will be held on Saturday, November 7th at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

“What GLOBAL and its affiliates have accomplished in research and medical care is nothing short of remarkable,” says Award-Winning Actor John C. McGinley. “They’ve helped transform Down syndrome research around the world and changed what’s possible for people with Down syndrome. As a GLOBAL Board member and father of my amazing son, Max, knowing we’ve helped increase life expectancy and improve health outcomes is incredibly meaningful. If you want to support an organization making a real difference every day, join us at the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show and support GLOBAL.”

Proceeds from the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show support GLOBAL’s mission to elongate life and significantly improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. With financial and advocacy support from this event, GLOBAL’s work has led to a 10-year increase in lifespan for people with Down syndrome, from 50 years in 2009 to 60 years today.

GLOBAL’s accomplishments include successfully advocating with Congress that has led to the first National Institutes of Health-wide Down syndrome research program focused on co-occurring conditions such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, immune system disorders and more. Together with its Affiliates, GLOBAL established and supports the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, which has made major breakthroughs that are improving health span and lifespan, and the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado, which provides specialized care to more than 2,700 pediatric patients from 40 states and 10 countries while setting the standard in translational research. GLOBAL also created and published the first evidence-based medical care guidelines for adults with Down syndrome.

“We are thrilled that our Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show received three ICON awards last year,” says GLOBAL President & CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten. “Celebrating and showcasing what people with Down syndrome can do is important but making sure we have the funds to ensure we gain another ten years of life, and quality of life, is our ultimate goal. We couldn’t do this without the celebrities and honorees who give so generously of their time. We’re so excited to share GLOBAL Ambassador Letizia’s incredible story and to honor our Co-chairs, who are working so hard to make sure the event is a financial success. We are so touched that they have taken on this role in memory of my dear mom.”  

The 2026 GLOBAL Ambassador, Letizia Napoleone, is a vibrant 23-year-old woman with Down syndrome who lives and works in New York City and is pursuing her acting education at Epic Players. An accomplished actor, model, and performer, she has appeared in campaigns for Clinique and London Fashion Week, been featured in Wallpaper and Harper’s Bazaar UK, and continues to build her career in film and the performing arts. Fluent in both Italian and English, Letizia embodies the international sprit of GLOBAL. She is also an accomplished athlete whose confidence, determination, and passion inspire everyone around her.

“I am so proud to be a GLOBAL Ambassador and to represent people with Down syndrome all over the world,” says Actor, Model and GLOBAL Ambassador Letizia Napoleone. “Fashion has given me the confidence to dream big, work hard and be myself. I hope everyone joins us at the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show to celebrate our achievements, beauty, and capability as well as to emphasize that people with Down syndrome need longer and healthier lives to reach their true potential in an inclusive society.”

Longtime GLOBAL supporters Edit and Tamas Viski-Hanka are honored to serve as Co-Chairs of the year’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show alongside their daughter and son-in-law, Alexandra and Sean Swierczewski. Inspired by their cherished friendship with Anna and John Sie and years of witnessing GLOBAL’s transformative impact, the family is united by a shared commitment to advancing research, improving medical care, and creating a brighter future for people with Down syndrome.

“Our first Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show changed us forever,” says Co-Chair Edit Viski-Hanka. “The joy, love and spirit in that room were unlike anything we had ever experienced. Every year since, we’ve seen the extraordinary impact GLOBAL is making, through research, medical care, education and advocacy, and we are honored to help bring people together for an evening that truly changes lives.”

Each year, the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show recognizes two leaders with their highest honor, the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, who have gone above and beyond to raise awareness and make a tangible difference for people with Down syndrome.

Past recipients include Jamie Foxx, DeOndra Dixon, Jane Lynch, Kevin Iannucci, Woody Harrelson, Sofia Sanchez, Bobby Farrelly, Madison Tevlin, Caterina Scorsone, Eric Dane, Jamie Brewer, Colin Farrell, Tim Harris, John Lynch, Zack Gottsagen, John C. McGinley, Karen Gaffney, Eva Longoria, Frank Stephens, Kyra Phillips and more.

GLOBAL’s advocacy and lobbying efforts with Congress and outreach to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have resulted in an unprecedented increase of the national Down syndrome research budget, from $18 million in 2009 when GLOBAL was established to over $140 million today.

Proceeds from the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show support the important work of GLOBAL and GLOBAL’s affiliates, including a team of over 400 scientists working on breakthrough life-saving research at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the CU Alzheimer’s & Cognition Center; a dream team of medical professionals providing excellent medical care to over 2,700 patients from 40 states, Puerto Rico and 10 countries at the Anna and John J. Sie Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the GLOBAL Adult Clinic at Denver Health.

To learn more, visit: https://bebeautifulbeyourself.org/ and follow us on social media for updates: Facebook, X, Instagram,  LinkedIn, and YouTube.

To sponsor a table or buy tickets, visit: https://bebeautifulbeyourself.org/be-beautiful-be-yourself-fashion-show-tables/ or https://bebeautifulbeyourself.org/be-beautiful-be-yourself-fashion-show-tickets/.

For celebrity interviews, additional information, imagery, or to cover the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, please contact trishdavis0707@gmail.com, For more information on the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, please visit www.globaldownsyndrome.org.

GLOBAL Experts Educate Families, Advance Collaboration, and Break Attendance Records at the DSAIA Leadership Conference and NDSC Annual Convention

July 29th, 2026 by Tara Zeman

GLOBAL Experts Educate Families, Advance Collaboration, and Break Attendance Records at the DSAIA Leadership Conference and NDSC Annual Convention

The GLOBAL Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) was proud to spend an inspiring and impactful week in Orlando, Florida, joining thousands of advocates, families, researchers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders for the Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) Leadership Conference and the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Annual Convention at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

The week began with the DSAIA Leadership Conference, where more than 140 executive directors, board members, and staff from local Down syndrome organizations across the country gathered to learn, collaborate, and strengthen their collective impact. This year’s conference marked an important milestone as it was the first DSAIA event since NDSC Executive Director Jim Hudson announced the merger of DSAIA and NDSC—a significant step toward building a stronger, more unified national network serving individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Under the leadership of Jim Hudson and Tiffany Williams, DSAIA’s new Program Coordinator, the two-day pre-conference created valuable opportunities for affiliate organizations to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop new partnerships. Throughout the conference, the GLOBAL team presented multiple research & medical care sessions, reinforcing its commitment to improving healthcare, advancing research, and empowering organizations that serve the Down syndrome community.

GLOBAL Roundtable Sets New Attendance Record

One of the week’s highlights was the annual GLOBAL Roundtable, proudly sponsored by Glaukos, which welcomed a record-breaking 400 attendees. Since its inception, the Roundtable has educated more than 5,000 self-advocates, parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, making it one of the convention’s premier educational events.

As one of GLOBAL’s longest-standing collaborations with NDSC, the Roundtable continues to be a valuable benefit included with NDSC Annual Convention registration. Attendees consistently rate the program an outstanding 4.8 out of 5, reflecting both the quality of the presentations and the practical information families can immediately apply.

The Roundtable opened with welcoming remarks from NDSC Executive Director Jim Hudson, GLOBAL President and CEO Michelle Sie Whitten, GLOBAL Vice President for Research and Medical Care Bryn Gelaro, and self-advocate and public speaker Elizabeth Romanick, setting the stage for a full day of cutting-edge education and meaningful discussion.

This year’s impressive lineup of internationally recognized Down syndrome experts included:

  • Joaquín Espinosa, PhD, Executive Director, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome — Research Breakthroughs Accelerating Personalized Medicine for Down Syndrome
  • Melissa Parisi, MD, PhD, Chief of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development — NIH INCLUDE Project: How Researchers and Families Are Working Together to Support Health Across the Lifespan
  • Lauren Ptomey, PhD, RD, LD, Associate Professor and Registered Dietitian, University of Kansas Medical Center — Evidence-Based Strategies for Weight Management in Adolescents and Adults with Down Syndrome
  • Mary Pipan, MD, Director of the Trisomy 21 Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia — The Complexity of the GI Tract in Down Syndrome: From Esophagus to the Rectum, It’s All One Tube
  • Allison Meyer, PhD, Director of Psychology at the Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado — Supporting Emotion Regulation in Down Syndrome
  • Nick Gagner, DMD, Senior Dental Director at Denver Health and dentist at the Denver Health GLOBAL Adult Down Syndrome Clinic — More Than Teeth: Systemic Health, Access Barriers, and Oral Care for People with Down Syndrome

The presentations highlighted the latest advances in medical care, research, nutrition, behavioral health, oral health, and personalized medicine, providing attendees with practical, evidence-based information that supports healthier lives across every stage of the lifespan.

The impact of the Roundtable was perhaps best captured by one returning attendee.

“So much hit home this year!” said Paula, a parent from Louisiana who has attended the GLOBAL Roundtable at NDSC for multiple years. “It’s like GLOBAL tapped into my adult child’s medical records! Thank you for hosting!”

Advancing Research Beyond the Classroom

Research & medical care education wasn’t the only focus during convention week. GLOBAL affiliates and NIH INCLUDE-funded researchers from the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome were onsite enrolling participants into the Human Trisome Project, helping expand one of the most important research initiatives dedicated to improving health outcomes for people with Down syndrome.

Researchers and clinicians from Boys Town National Research Hospital also conducted hearing research during the convention, giving families the opportunity to contribute directly to studies that will improve care for future generations.

In addition to the Roundtable, GLOBAL affiliates remained busy throughout the convention. Team members participated in the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group-USA Annual Symposium, met with self-advocates during the NDSC Youth & Adult Conference, and delivered 13 educational sessions covering topics that ranged from pediatric healthcare updates and Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial readiness to a preview of the forthcoming second edition of the Adult Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome.

Looking Ahead

The excitement and momentum generated throughout the week reinforced the importance of bringing together families, self-advocates, clinicians, researchers, and community leaders to learn from one another and continue advancing the future of Down syndrome research and care.

GLOBAL is already looking forward to continuing this tradition next year, when the DSAIA Leadership Conference and NDSC Annual Convention head to Denver, Colorado. As the home of GLOBAL, the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, the Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center, and the Adult Clinic, Denver will provide an exciting backdrop for another unforgettable week of education, collaboration, groundbreaking research, and community.

 

 

GLOBAL Self-Advocates Build Muscle and Meaningful Connections in the Education Center

July 27th, 2026 by Aleena Gillette

This July, twelve self-advocates have returned to GLOBAL’s Education Center to participate in the fourth annual Fitness Program, a six-week program specifically designed to increase balance, muscle tone, flexibility, and endurance in individuals with Down syndrome. 

Donate to Support GLOBAL’s Programs!

 

The GLOBAL Fitness Program aims to:

  1. Introduce participants to effective exercise techniques and methods
  2. Improve participants’ ability to safely incorporate exercise and healthy habits into daily routines
  3. Provide participants a positive and encouraging experience with exercise

This year, the program has been strengthened through a partnership with CrossFit Tackle Bunny made possible by Kroenke Sports Charities, giving participants the opportunity to learn new skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. Alongside GLOBAL Staff, seasoned coach and CrossFit Tackle Bunny owner Jason Cline is leading participants in learning functional movements from the CrossFit discipline.

Participant Andrew Regan shares that to him, the Fitness Program means “inclusion”. By offering exercises that meet participants where they are while still encouraging them to build new skills and try new things, the program creates an environment where everyone knows that they belong. Four weeks into the program, participants are excelling in a variety of exercises with the support of volunteers and coaches who use modeling and verbal instruction to improve participants’ technique.

Every program session begins with a warm-up, a review of previous skills, and an introduction to new movements. Participants then challenge themselves through the AMRAP training format, which stands for “as many reps as possible”. In week one, participants completed a four-minute AMRAP; by week four, they are progressing to eight-minute AMRAPs and completing as many as six sets of each exercise. From push-ups and strict presses to RDLs and broad jumps, participants push themselves through every minute of every session, proving that fitness is for everyone.

“The program keeps changing me in a good way to become more active and to be more confident and let loose,” says participant Sam Levin. Levin also says that his favorite part about class is being able to work out alongside friends. With twelve participants engaged in each class session, the program is an important opportunity for participants to support one another in achieving fitness goals while simultaneously building meaningful friendships. Opportunities before, during, and after class help participants further strengthen connections and practice social skills in a natural, welcoming setting.

While it may seem like just a workout session on the outside, the GLOBAL Fitness Program is an unprecedented opportunity for individuals with Down syndrome to build lifelong wellness skills that will support healthier, more active lives.

About the GLOBAL Education Center

The mission of the Education Center at Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is to enrich the lives of individuals with Down syndrome by providing quality, evidence-based learning opportunities at little to no cost. Since 2022, the Education Center at GLOBAL has engaged more than 80 participants with Down syndrome in educational programming focused on health and wellness, jobs skills acquisition, and skills for greater independence. Each program is developed in partnership with experts in the field and specifically tailored for the unique needs of its participants. Pre- and post-program assessments are conducted to gauge program effectiveness, participant and family satisfaction, and alignment with GLOBAL’s overall mission to improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.

Programs in the Education Center are made possible by the support of the Daniels Fund, Salah Foundation, Kroenke Sports Charities, the Safeway Foundation, the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints, and the Lowe Fund at the Denver Foundation.

The Education Center is currently home to four annual programs, including the Cooking & Nutrition Program, Social Program, Fitness Program, and Stewardship Program. With the generous support of donors, GLOBAL has also had the opportunity to host a Hospitality Training Program, Computer Skills Program, and Morning Social & Healthy Habits Program. Programs are offered for participants who are residents of Colorado and are free for families. As capacity allows, GLOBAL hopes to expand program offerings in the Education Center to better support our mission of improving the lives of individuals with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education, and advocacy.

To see how you can support and get involved with the Education Center as a volunteer or participant, email EducationCenter@globaldownsyndrome.org.

Donate Now to Support GLOBAL’s Programs!