Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley

This organization continues to be an integral part of the community. Besides providing information about Down Syndrome, it also promotes awareness and proclaims, rightly so, that we are more alike than different. The organization is continuously providing activities for children with Down Syndrome, and the attendance for the annual Buddy Walk grows larger every year.

The Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley was there for us literally from the day our son was born. They helped us to understand Down's Syndrome, and gave us a better understanding of how it would impact our son, his life and the lives of the rest of our family.

Their work in increasing awareness of Down's Syndrome in our community and helping people to overcome their pre-conceived ideas about it has been invaluable to families of the Down's Syndrome children. Their contributions cannot be over-stated.

DSABV is a great organization that has really benefited my nephew that was born with down syndrome 7 years ago. Without this organization I feel my nephew will not be as advanced as he is. It really brings the community together and everyone helps each other out.

When we found out we were going to have a grandchild with Down Syndrome, the Down Syndrome Support Group was there offering their services immediately to help educate our families about Down Syndrome. They offered us books, videos and their support during the pregnancy and after our beautiful granddaughter was born. We could not have made it thru the difficult time without Christy Knight and her team. They continue to guide us and other families in this community that have special needs and give them resources that we not have otherwise.

I have been part of this group since 2005 which was the year my daughter was born. It has been a great source of information for me and my family. Not only does the group help new families when they have a child born with Down Syndrome they also put on educational conferences, social activities, and educational activities, such as handwriting, math, and reading classes. I have been a board member for a little over a year now and it has given my insight on how the group in ran. This is one of the best groups to be apart of. We all love our kids very much and work hard to provide the best for them.

My son has Down Syndrome. He has been a part of the Brazos Valley Down Syndrome Association. This organization has built friendships with the kids and the parents. Many of the things that the kids have been able to participate include: Handwriting without Tears, Nutrition Class, exercise class, reading and math and family dances all geared towards kids with Down Syndrome. The organization just put on a Sexuality class for Kids with mental disabilities. It was great! The parents receive information during the year that is very helpful as they try to raise a child with special needs. I would highly recommend joining the Brazos Valley Association of Down Syndrome it is a true blessing.

My son has Down Syndrome. We contacted the support group when he was a baby. The group has been an amazing and comforting resource for our family, from supporting us emotionally to providing educational and developmental opportunities for our son, us (as parents), and for educators. I also greatly appreciate the efforts to increase awareness of Down syndrome in the community. I feel that these efforts are making the community a more welcoming and understanding place for my son.

I have been involved with our association for the past five years. I first sought out information when my grandaughter was born with down syndrome. As I got to know Christy and the other members I could see what an awesome service organization it is. I have over the years been involves in many of the events and have seen the benefit it is to our kids and their families.

This organization (dsabv) has been such a help to us with a grandson with Down Syn. We have attended and been a sponsor of Buddy Walk which provides a community support system that makes us all feel part of one family. Christy has worked tirelessly to promote education for the public while building support for the pt. and family of Down Syndrome.
We are very appreciative of this organization!
Sincerely, John Young of Caldwell

I used to be an aide for special needs kids in Marshall, Texas. I grew to love those kids with all my heart. Those kids were mainly autistic so I didnt know that people with Down Syndrome can also be extremely productive and happy in life. Then I learned one of my Mom's best friends is the president of the College Station Down Syndrome chapter. I have been to Buddy Walks she organizes and I have seen how people with Down Syndrome are more good natured than so called normal people can be and love to dance. I have seen a married couple with Downs and I have seen others with the courage to learn to talk and socialize. This is what I have learned from this organization and much more.

I have a nephew born with Down Syndrome. At first I didn't know what to expect, since I had never really had any experience with this diagnosis. As luck would have it, my nephew was born to an amazing woman, Christy Knight. As soon as she learned of the diagnosis, she immersed herself in learning about Down Syndrome, and started the organization. I have seen it grow from a Buddy Walk of about a 100 people, to one of almost a thousand, and growing every year.
This organization has made a difference in not only the person with Downs, but the families also. It is an organization that looks to include everyone, so that even the siblings (or in my case, an Aunt) can be invloved in as much as they want. The organization is always having clinics, field trips, and parties so that the people with Downs, can have experiences, and learn, just like any one else.

The Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley is the most oriented and focused organization that I have had the pleasure of being a part of. This group of people are very dedicated and committed to the awareness and inclusion of people with Down's Syndrome. Always there to help in any way.

The Down Syndrome Assoc. of the Brazos Valley is one of the most informative, organized organizations I have ever had the priviledge to be associated with. The web site is comprehensive with links that are beneficial.

I think the Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley is an wonderful
organization. My nephew was born with Down Syndrome and my Brother and Sister in Law strive to make his life just like anybody elses. I admire my sister in law more than anybody I know because she works tirelessly to make sure Colton and all his friends have a normal life by making the public aware of how special and giving these children can be. Also they can grow up and lead very productive lives. I have got to go to a couple of their Buddy Walks and my heart was filled with all the love I saw that day. In the world we live in this is a very special thing.

The Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley was a recommended reference to my family when our child was born with a different set of special needs. The resources and information they had collected and had on their website was a tremendous help in finding what was available to us outside the Early Intervention program.

BEN ERDMAN AND WENDY ERDMAN HAD VOLUNTEERED THE FITNESS WALK WE ALLSO VOLUNTEERED TO HLEP SELL THE CALENDARS,
ALL SO WE VOLUNTEERED AT THE BUDDY WALK EVERY YEAR,

BEN WAS ONCE A BOARD MEMBER HIT HIT FOR NEXT ELECTION
WE ALSO HOST BOARD MEETINGS AT OUR HOUSE WHEN BEN WAS ON THE BOARD. WE ALLSO WHENT TO CONFERENCE MEETINGS

WE ALSO HELPED IN A GARAGE SALE AT MANDY HOUSE

My nephew is Colton Kniht & he was born with Downs Syndrome. The role of the Down Syndrome group of Bryan-College Station has provided Colton as well as all of the members with wonderful opportunites such as camp, social interaction functions, education for parents, kids, families and the general public. This orgainization is teaching not only the ones with downs but the families as well, about healthy eating, how important exercise is, social interaction, how to deal with "stares" and questions and most of all, frienships that will last a lifetime. The group has worked hard to involve and educate everyone in the community. It has provided a wonderful teaching tool to the volunteer groups in & around the Bryan-College Station area. The group also is very active with teaching wrtiting, everyday life skills, and how to be productive citizens. This group is awsome.

The Down Syndrome Associate of Brazos Valley is a valuable resource for families as well as the public. Thank you for being here providing information for everyone!

I have had a wonderful expierence with DSABV in so many ways. There has been Buddy walk for the past 7 years whitch I have been a part of from start to finish. there is FADS (fun for adults with down syndrome) or any other dissability, bingo night whitch I have been the caller. Partys and dances galore that the kids and adults REALLY enjoy, the list goes on and on.

This organization plays a very vital part in our community . My grandaughtr has been involved more than she would be without their
efforts . I continue to support her and others to become more involved and aware of how we as parents , grandparents ,and friends can support our children to become the most they can be .

The Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley has helped to make the quality of my son's life a lot better in this community. After participating in events for a few months and attending the Buddy Walk, I knew I had to give back to continue enjoying the benefits, and joined the Board of Directors. Since then it has been a lot of work, but the rewards are so worth the time and energy we put into it, not only for my son, but for all the adults and youngsters with Down syndrome who I encounter. With our connections in the community, we are continually finding ways to create programs that help our kids and adults with independence. Being on the board is not always a piece of cake, but what volunteer board is easy? I want to continue giving to receive, and to watch our community change.

I am teacher in College Station and work with students with Down Syndrome. This association is a GREAT resource for parents, children, families, and even teachers! The group provides classes in various areas to help everyone it serves. I am constantly impressed with the organization and effort this groups put out to educate the community!

I LOVE this group of hardworking moms. My son, Dillon has DS and I was so lost at first but with all the help and support of this close knit group I will never feel alone again. My son has come so far and we have so much more to look forward too in our lives!!!

I volunteered for the handwriting without tears program and it was such a great experience. The kids are awesome and their parents are very supportive. DSABV also serves as an excellent community resource for children who have down syndrome and the organization constantly advocates for children who have special needs. I would volunteer for them anytime!

I volunteer for Handwriting Without Tears and I feel so blessed to be able to do this. Phyllis is a great leader for the kids and takes each kid into heart. The DSABV program has been absolutely incredible to these kids and shows their true compassion for what they do.

i have a nephew with down syndrome & without the organzation here & the help of all the wonderful volunteers & my sister who help start the organization parents would have to go out of our community to have their kids join in the fun of all the activities the down syndrome organzation & the wonderful oppertuities it brings to the community to see the kids smile

I volunteered to exercise with the kids at the park every Saturday afternoon. The kids had lots of fun and I had lots of fun too.

This experience made me to see first hand the challenges the parents and the kids face and I learnt quite a lot.

I volunteered with DSABV last year in the "Handwriting Without Tears" program, which aimed to assist children with Down Syndrome who were struggling with reading, letters and numbers, and handwriting in school. Each volunteer was assigned one student, who we worked with each week, so we were able to keep a consistent schedule and could tailor our activities to fit the needs of each child.

The instructor of the course was incredible--she brought folders for the volunteers which held a variety of activities we could use to help our student. We were able to vary our activities depending on what each individual child was interested in, and what helped them learn.

The children ranged in age from about 5-18, and they all seemed the enjoy the things we did with them, which included songs, games, and learning activities. If nothing else, the program allowed volunteers to get first-hand experience around children with disabilities, and it gave the children more practice doing the things they do in school on a regular basis.

DSABV also has many profit shares throughout the year with various organizations, as well as hosts Buddy Walks and various other awareness-building outings.

My husband and I participate in Buddy Walk every year. The Down Syndrome Support Group of Bryan - College Station does a wonderful job on this event and each year brings improvements. The event is meant to foster fellowship and understanding in an enjoyable environment.

I am a Early CHildhood Specialist working with Down Syndrome children and families. Before I even see the child already after birth, the Down Syndrome support Group is contacting the family and most of the time referring the family to our services. I have taken some famiies to the first meeting and they feel welcome. My clients are Spanish speakers and they have a few families that will contact them and translate for them also.

Volunteering for DSBV has been a great experience. I keep going back every year. They always have a good turnout and many people are involved. It shows just through their events that they are making a difference. They are organized and strive to accomplish their goals.

The Down Syndrome Support Group of Bryan College Station (DSABV has been exceptional in many areas of service: Support for families from infants to adults with DS, community awareness, social activities, financial assistance for special camps, etc. As a mother of a child with Down Syndrome, the emotional support, educational opportunities for both child and parent, respite opportunities for families, sibling support, camp stipend assistance, sponsored social activities and parent support have been instrumental in maximizing the potential of my child. Additionally, the work of this group to enhance awareness of those with Down Syndrome and their high potential through their annual fund raiser, Buddy Walk, has been highly effective. Many students and families from the community participate in this event and are able to see first hand how capable people with Down Syndrome are. The slogan "We're more alike than different" is demonstrated concretely through the many activities this groups (DSABV) offers. The varied age group's needs are also taken into account with such classes for the younger children as handwriting (Handwriting without tears), to classes / games for slightly older to teach nutrition to those afflicted, to workshops for parents to teach our challenged teens about sex and safety, to formal dinner/dances to provide opportunities to learn about essential social skills as well as have a 'normal' social event (much like prom) where there is freedom to express themselves without judgement. The DSABV keeps me informed of legal issues arising and are extremely supportive in my establishing educational objectives for ARD's. They have arranged for experts to teach us about estate planning and the laws affecting our children. Last year I was able to travel to Orlando Florida to the National Down Syndrome Convention because of the support this group provided me. During this convention, I saw for the first time adults with Down Syndrome who were leaders, speakers at the Convention, living independently, and fully confident in expressing themselves and adapting to demands of life without assistance! My hopes were hightened for my 13 year old! All of these activities, experiences, services, opportunities are made possible because of the work and fund-raising that the BSABV does throughout the year; however, the funds do not reach as far as the list of desired opportunities. Often times, their are additional costs associated with children with Down Syndrome, esp. medical. My son is ill more frequently than most children, he has a heart defect and has routine MRI's, and heart testing, he wears bifocals and we special order frames that fit his face, etc. These added costs take away funds for 'extras' like the DSABV provides. Lastly, the time it takes to participate in mulitiple fund-raising activities is often difficult to committ to because of the extra time needed to spend on homework, review, and teaching opportunities. Your funding this organization would be enormously helpful in its being able to assist famililes with children with Down Syndrome. Please consider this a most worthwhile organization to support. It will go a long way in helping many families!

This group is a great resource for the community. They are new parent packets to parents that have a child born with Down syndrome. They also offer support, information, and help to people with Down syndrome and their parents. They provided educational programs, social events, send children/adults with Down syndrome to camp. My child has been abl to go to camp each year because of this group and attend many educational programs that they put on.