Down Syndrome Center Of Western Pennsylvania Podcast

Carissa Carroll, Founder and Executive Director of Jack's Basket, joined the podcast today to talk about her story and how it influenced her to create Jack's Basket.  This organization serves families all over the world, offering a welcome and congratulations to new families wherever they may be.  You can find more information about Jack's Basket at https://www.jacksbasket.org/.   If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter. Thank you to “Caring for Kids” The Carrie Martin Fund for its support of the Down Syndrome Center Podcast.

Award winning Director, Olivier Bernier joined the podcast today to talk about his recently released documentary called Forget Me Not.  Part American, part Quebecois, Olivier is also the Co-Founder and Creative Director of the production company, Rota6 Films, specializing in documentary and commercial films. As 3-year-old Emilio prepares to start school, his family finds itself embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities – to secure the right to an inclusive education.  Olivier and his wife Hilda turn the camera on themselves and their child with Down syndrome, as they navigate a byzantine system originally designed to silo children with disabilities. Get more information, including links to the film, at https://www.forgetmenotdocumentary.com/.   If there is a topic that you would like us to cover on the podcast, please e-mail me at DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with the work that we are doing at the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please vis

Dr. Kelly Austin, Director of the Colorectal Center for Children at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, joined the podcast to discuss Hirschsprung disease.  Seen more commonly in people with Down syndrome, listen to learn more about this important condition. Colorectal Center of Children  https://www.chp.edu/our-services/surgery-pediatric/pediatric-surgery-services-we-offer/colorectal-center-for-children If there is a topic that you would like us to cover on the podcast, please e-mail me at DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with the work that we are doing at the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter.  If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter. Thank you to “Caring for Kids” The Carrie Martin Fund for

Scott Quaife, NSCA-CPT, Health and Wellness Coordinator with Down Syndrome Innovations in Kansas, joined the podcast to discuss the importance of exercise in Down syndrome and overcoming potential obstacles to reaching exercise goals. For more in-depth information on this topic, please visit: https://vimeo.com/753072214 Down syndrome innovations https://kcdsi.org If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter. Thank you to “Caring for Kids” The Carrie Martin Fund for its support of the Down Syndrome Center Podcast. 

Michelle Sie Whitten from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation joined the podcast today as part of our "Meet the Nationals" series.   For more information on Global Down Syndrome Foundation https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org Prenatal & Newborn Pamphlet: https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/prenatal-testing-pamphlet/ GLOBAL Adult Healthcare Guideline: https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/medical-care-guidelines-for-adults/ If you have a podcast topic you would like us to address, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu.  If you would like to partner with the Down Syndrome Center and the work that we do, including this podcast, please go to https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter. Thank you to “Caring for Kids” The Carrie Martin Fund for its support of the Down Syndrome Center Podcast. 

Dr. Anna Esbensen, psychologist with the Thomas Center for Down Syndrome at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, joined the podcast to answer a listener question about psychological issues that are seen in Down syndrome.   Thomas Center for Down Syndrome https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/t/down-syndrome/services Association of University Centers on Disabilities https://www.aucd.org/directory/directory.cfm?program=UCEDD The National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) http://thenadd.org Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome (currently out of print) https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Wellness-Adults-Down-Syndrome/dp/1890627658/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2ANS38WEA9XWV&keywords=mental+health+down+syndrome&qid=1662478738&sprefix=%2Caps%2C61&sr=8-3 If you have a question that you would like us to address on the podcast, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with us at the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochild

To celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month, representatives from the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh (DSAP) joined the podcast today to reflect on their experiences as parents as well as highlight the ongoing work of DSAP.  The highlight event of the year is the Buddy Walk which is coming up on October 23, 2022 at Schenley Plaza on the University of Pittsburgh campus.   Helpful websites related to the podcast discussion today: DSAP: https://www.dsapgh.org/ or call/text us 4125659936 Pittsburgh Buddy Walk: https://www.ds-stride.org/pghbuddywalk First Call Program: https://www.dsapgh.org/first-call or call/text us 4125524972 FB: https://www.facebook.com/dsapgh IG: https://www.instagram.com/dsapgh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/down-syndrome-association-of-pittsburgh Twitter: https://twitter.com/dsapittsburgh Shannons blog: https://www.thislifewegot.com If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would li

Kandi Pickard, President and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society, joined the podcast as part of our series on the national organizations who serve people with Down syndrome.  You can find more information about NDSS here (https://www.ndss.org).   If you have a podcast topic you would like us to address, please email DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with us in the work of the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter.   Thank you to “Caring for Kids” The Carrie Martin Fund for its support of the Down Syndrome Center Podcast. 

Dr. Nowalk joined the podcast again to give us a general COVID update and discuss specifically the new Omicron boosters. CDC Statement on Omicron Boosters https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter. Thank you to “Caring for Kids” The Carrie Martin Fund for its support of the Down Syndrome Center Podcast.   

Jordan Kough, Executive Director of the National Down Syndrome Congress, joined the podcast as part of our "Meet the Nationals" series.  To learn more about the NDSC, go to http://ndsccenter.org. If you have a podcast topic you would like us to address, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu.  If you would like to partner with the Down Syndrome Center and the work that we do, including this podcast, please go to http://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter.  

Antoinette Scaffidi, author of the children's book Not Down, Up Mommy, joined the podcast to talk about the book and her thoughts on the importance of including children with disabilities in children's books.  The book can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Not-Down-Mommy-Antoinette-Scaffidi/ If you have a podcast topic that you would like us to discuss, please reach out at DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner in the work of the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please go to https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter. Thank you to “Caring for Kids” The Carrie Martin Fund for its support of the Down Syndrome Center Podcast.   

Speech language pathologist Sheri Rosen and Pediatric Surgeon Dr. Mike Morowitz joined the podcast to discuss swallow studies and gastrostomy tubes.   If you have an idea for a future podcast, please e-mail us at DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu.   If you would like to partner with us in the work of the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please go to https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter.  Thank you to “Caring for Kids” The Carrie Martin Fund for its support of the Down Syndrome Center Podcast. 

Shannon Frizzell, registered clinical dietician, joined the podcast today to talk about strategies for healthy weight management in people with Down syndrome. For more information and resources: My Plate https://www.myplate.gov American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics https://www.eatright.org American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating American Diabetes Association https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition If there are any topics that you would like us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to join us in the work of the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter.   Thank you to “Caring for Kids” The Carrie Martin Fund for its support of the Down Syndrome Center Podcast. 

Dr. Nowalk rejoins the podcast for an update on the COVID pandemic as it relates to people with Down syndrome.  Topics discussed include a general COVID update, COVID vaccine booster doses for children >5 years old, primary COVID vaccination for children

Heather Avis, co-host of The Lucky Few podcast joined our podcast today to talk about her journey and vision to "change the narrative" when it comes to how society views Down syndrome. To find more information and subscrie to The Lucky Few Podcast, go to https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com.   To find more information on The Lucky Few Podcast Foundation, go to https://theluckyfewfoundation.org/.   If you have podcast topics that you would like us to address, please e-mail me at DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with us at the Down Syndrome Center, including supporting this podcast, please go to https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter.   

Rob Snow (creator and founder of The Improvaneers) returns on the podcast to give us an update with how its going on the comedy show, the impacts of COVID, and the vision for the program.  You can get more information on The Improvaneer Method by listening to our prior podcast #61 found at https://downsyndromecenter.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=rob+snow.   To find out if The Improvaneers are coming to your area and how to get involved, please visit https://www.theimprovaneermethod.com/.   If you have a topic that you would like covered on the podcast, please reach out to me via e-mail at DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. Please consider partnering with us in what we do at the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, by going to https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter.  

Jen Jacob, Founder and Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) joined the podcast to talk about their work in the area of information and resource sharing for families. You can get connected to DSDN by going to https://www.dsdiagnosisnetwork.org.   If you have any topics that you would like us to cover on the podcast, please reach out to me via e-mail at downsyndromecenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with the work of the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter. 

Stephanie Thompson from the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network (NDSAN) joined the podcast today to talk about their work in domestic adoptions for children with Ds in the U.S.   National Down Syndrome Adoption Network http://www.ndsan.org Please e-mail us with any topics you would like us to address on the podcast at DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. To partner with our work, including this podcast, please visit: https://www.givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter.  

Dr. Marilyn Bull, lead author of the 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics Health Supervision Guidelines for Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome, joins the podcast today to discuss the latest guideline update released earlier this week!  Dr. Bull is  the Morris Green Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Developmental Pediatrics.  She is the Director of the Down Syndrome Program at Riley Hospital for Children. The medical guidelines can be found here: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/doi/10.1542/peds.2022-057010/186778/Health-Supervision-for-Children-and-Adolescents.   If there are topics that you would like us to cover on the podcast, please reach out to me at DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu.   If you would like to partner with us in the work that we are doing at the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please go to https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter.  

Dr. Andrew McCormick, Director of the Transition Program at the Down Syndrome Center, joined the podcast to discuss supplemental security income (SSI) and waivers.  If there are any topics you would like us to discuss on the podcast, please e-mail us at DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. To partner with the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter