Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress

CONTACT:

P.O. Box 866
Melrose, MA 02176
800-664-6372
www.mdsc.org

Suzanne Boudrot Shea, President

DESCRIPTION:

In 1983 a group of concerned parents met in one of their living rooms to discuss ways to raise awareness of Down syndrome. The result was the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. Now with over 900 members, its fundamental mission is to maximize the opportunities for persons with Down syndrome. To that end, it is their strongest public advocate, and a clearing house for the latest information for the general public, collecting and disseminating books and videos to schools and libraries. For practical advice it offers a toll-free support line with connections to an all-volunteer parents’ network, and its Outreach Coordinator works with maternity wards across the state to share knowledge with new parents of children with DS. MDSC also provides support for its own constituency including workshops, socials for teens with Down syndrome, and an annual conference with over 600 families, therapists and teachers. It sponsors fundraising events such as the Buddy Walk, golf tournaments, and Bowl-A-Thons, and last year a hockey game with Boston Bruins alumni. So those parents’ discussion twenty-one years ago, through philanthropy, has accomplished much good, especially for people with Down syndrome. MDSC would welcome your support.

(2004: HUMAN SERVICES: Health and Aging: Disabilities and Children's Disease)