2009 CDSC Buddy Walk!

September 26, 2009 on 6:16 pm | In Down syndrome, Photos, Family, Friends, CDSC, Buddy Walk | 1 Comment

Today was the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress’s Annual Buddy Walk at Hammonasette Beach State Park. Over 1,400 people showed up and we raised over $88,000!! I’m so proud to be part of such a wonderful organization!!!


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I made the newspaper!

September 26, 2009 on 5:27 pm | In Down syndrome, Articles, CDSC, Buddy Walk | No Comments

I made the paper about the CDSC’s Buddy Walk that was held today!
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Walk raises funds, awareness of Down syndrome
Saturday, September 26, 2009

By Amanda Pinto, Register Staff

MADISON — The Jensen family and their friends will be out in force at Hammonasset Beach State Park today, donning “Team Janie” T-shirts as they walk the boardwalk to raise money and awareness.

Jane Jensen, 8, who like many children at the event has Down syndrome, will take part and play.

The Jensens will be among more than 1,000 people expected to gather for the fifth annual Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress’ Buddy Walk, a fundraiser that includes food, music and activities. As of preregistration, $75,000 has already been raised, said Jane’s mother, Amy Jensen, who founded the event on the Shoreline. The walk helps fund the Down Syndrome Adult Assessment Program at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, Jensen said. The program provides a one-month opportunity for patients with Down syndrome to receive a “full psycho-social medial overview,” said Dr. Gerard Kerins, who is the head of geriatrics at St. Raphael’s, and runs the program.

Jensen said the Buddy Walk is important not only for the fundraising, but because it attracts many people who do not have Down syndrome, who can learn about it.

“(Kids with Down syndrome) still dance and laugh and play and want to have a good time and I think it takes away some of that mystery that can create fear and stereotypes,” Jensen said of the day. “It’s a neat thing to feel that maybe you’ve opened somebody’s mind and heart a little bit, and I think they take that away with them, because they keep coming back.”

Pam Wilson, Jensen’s mother and Jane’s grandmother, said she has seen more families without children who have Down syndrome attend the event in recent years.

The Buddy Walk, which will also have a disc jockey, moon bounce and face painting, will help kick off national Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. Master of ceremonies will be Sonia Baghdady, anchor for News Channel 8 WTNH.

The day also helps CDSC fund its activities throughout the year, Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress co-President Elect Jessica Heeran said. The Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress reaches out to families who have children with Down syndrome — adopting families when babies with Down syndrome are born — and provides them with resources and information, Heeran said.

Initially, a Down syndrome diagnosis can come as a shock, said Lori Murphy, a nurse who lives in Madison. Murphy’s son, Brian, 15, has Down syndrome.

“I know I was really, really sad when I had him, I was sad with the diagnosis,” Murphy said. “You have to mourn this perfect child that you’re not having, but then you realize, he is perfect, it’s just in a different way, and he’s really the light of our lives.”

Kerins said his year-old program — which receives significant funding from the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress — is always booked, and he would like to expand it.

Jensen said she’d like to see the program expanded to include children, and hopes another sizeable donation from this year’s event will help. Wilson, of Guilford, said 1,100 people have registered for the Buddy Walk, and that people can register in person today.

Kim Mastriano-Guile, who is the CDSC’s director for New Haven County and will be among the walkers today, said relatives from as far as Florida will attend, as they come together for her son, Jake, 4, who has Down syndrome.

“Even just having Jake is a blessing for us, this kind of epitomizes it, this one day when we can all get together and celebrate him,” she said.

Walk registration begins at 11:30 a.m. today. The walk will begin at 1 p.m.

Amanda Pinto can be reached at apinto@nhregister.com or 789-5734.

2nd Annual Cans 4 Corey!

January 11, 2009 on 12:45 pm | In Charity, CDSC, Buddy Walk | No Comments

Once again, my dear friend Cecily is hosting Cans 4 Corey to help raise money for the CDSC! If you’re in Connecticut, I hope to see you there!!! Start saving your soda cans today! Here’s my post from last year!


Cans 4 Corey

Please help raise funds for the
Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress!

2nd Annual Can & Bottle Drive
March 28, 2009 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
M&M Redemption Center
200 Church St
Wallingford, CT 06492

“Team Corey” is raising funds and awareness for the CDSC’s
5th Annual Buddy Walk at Hammonasset Beach State Park on
September 26, 2009.

All proceeds will sponsor the Buddy Walk and the CDSC.

Come out and donate your cans & bottles!

Buddy Walk 2008!

September 27, 2008 on 9:18 pm | In Down syndrome, Photos, CDSC, Buddy Walk | 6 Comments

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Buddy Walk here we come!

September 27, 2008 on 7:33 am | In CDSC, Buddy Walk, Visits from Ohio! | No Comments

I just realized that I’ve not posted anything all week! Anyways, my mom is in town from Ohio for our Buddy Walk and I’m getting ready to leave early since I’m on the BW committee. Our team is in charge of the merchandise booth this year. It’s suppose to rain but we’re not going to let a little rain dampen our spirts today!

I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures!!

GO TEAM JOEY HEERAN!!!

2008 Team Joey Heeran

August 22, 2008 on 9:05 am | In CDSC, Buddy Walk | 3 Comments

Dear Friends and Family

It’s that time again! Time for the Fourth Annual CSDC Buddy Walk on September 27th at Hammonassette Beach State Park. Last year, many of our friends and family walked in support of our son Joey. In our second year, Team Heeran was over 40 people strong and together we raised $1,600.00! Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the Walk begins at 1:00 p.m. There will be free food, raffles, and entertainment

We are committed to raising awareness for Down syndrome as well as educating folks that a complete and happy life is possible for Joey and other people with Down syndrome.

The CDSC’s newest project is a prenatal diagnosis outreach committee that Jessica is chairing. Any family that contacts the CDSC that receives a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome will be paired up with a family in their area who also received a prenatal diagnosis for guidance and support. The CDSC will also be updating their website with up to date information about prenatal diagnosis and going to local hospitals to talk to the specialists about this new committee. Jessica also joined the CDSC’s board of directors and keeps herself very busy planning Parents’ Night Outs and playgroups.

Please help us by sponsoring or joining our team. Please RSVP at raisingjoey@gmail.com and be sure to let us know how many people are coming with you so we can make sure you have an official Team Heeran t-shirt to wear the day of the walk! If you are unable to join us, but still want to contribute, you can make a donation to the Buddy Walk in any amount.  This year you can donate online at the CDSC’s website,  once there you’ll see the “Buddy Walk Team/Family” tab and look for Team Heeran. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.

Very Truly Yours,

Patrick & Jessica Heeran

Benefit Ride & Concert 4 Corey

June 11, 2008 on 4:16 pm | In Down syndrome, Charity, CDSC, Buddy Walk | No Comments

Joey’s best buddy Corey, well, his mom and I are both on the Buddy Walk committee for the CDSC. Cecily is always find new and brillant ideas on ways to help sponsor the walk. In March, she put together Cans For Corey. And now, she’s putting on Benefit Ride & Concert 4 Corey on July 20 from noon to 4:oopm featuring the Whiskey River Band. Tickets are $25 for adults and $8 for kids. ALL PROCEEDS from this event are going to sponsor the CDSC’s Buddy Walk which is going to be held on September 27.

So, if you’re a motorcycle rider, love Southern Rock, or if you just want to come out and have a good time, join us at Peckham Park in Middlefield, Connecticut on July 20th!

You can click on Corey for more details!

Benefit Ride & Concert 4 Corey

How cool is this?!

May 13, 2008 on 3:03 pm | In Down syndrome, Buddy Walk, Movies | No Comments

From the NDSS 

———————————————————

Dear All,

NDSS is excited to announce a new partnership with Regal Cinemas.

In 6,900 screens across America, several well-known public figures will speak about acceptance and inclusion for people with Down syndrome, highlighting our National Buddy Walk program and October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

The 30-second film will run from September 26-October 9, 2008 in all Regal Cinemas across the country.

Confirmed to speak in the film:

Meredith Vieira, Co-Host of NBCʼs The Today Show
Liam Neeson, Actor
John C. McGinley, Actor and NDSS Buddy Walk Ambassador
Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals
Chris Burke, as well as other self-advocates

For a listing of Regal Cinema locations, please click here.

Stay tuned for more information.

Warmly,

Sarah Schleider
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
National Down Syndrome Society- NDSS
666 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10012
212-763-4369

Cans For Corey

March 29, 2008 on 2:26 pm | In Down syndrome, Charity, CDSC, Buddy Walk | 6 Comments

Cans for Corey was held today and it was a HUGE success! We raised $1000 for the CDSC’s Buddy Walk just by collecting cans & bottles! Can you believe it?? $1000 in recycling! And the Boy Scouts even showed up to help! Not too shabby!

Cans For Corey

March 11, 2008 on 2:17 pm | In Charity, CDSC, Buddy Walk | No Comments

To all my Connecticut readers and even any readers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island if you’re willing to make the drive, one of my dear friends is hosting a Can & Bottle Drive to help raise funds to sponsor the CDSC’s 2008 Buddy Walk, Saturday, March 29 from 9-1:00. If you’re interested, I made a separate page with more information, head on over for more details!

Cans For Corey

Cans For Corey

Buddy Walk 2007!

September 30, 2007 on 12:07 pm | In Photos, Joey, Montage, Buddy Walk | 5 Comments

Yesterday was our Buddy Walk here in CT and it was the perfect day! Of course, I wasn’t able to walk the actual walk but I made it there!!! Team Joey ended up raising over $1400 and was almost 40 people strong!! I want to thank everyone who donated and also a HUGE thanks to all of our friends and family who were able to join us yesterday!!


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Quick update

September 15, 2007 on 5:59 pm | In Joey, Buddy Walk, Eating Solids, Pregnancy- Leah | 3 Comments

Not much to update on today… still pregnant. No more contractions 5 minutes apart but I have been having more uncomfortable ones the past couple days and more back pain. So we’ll see what happens. I did treat myself this afternoon to a pedicure so now at least I’ll have pretty feet for when I’m in the hospital, lol!

I forgot to post yesterday that it was his 18 month birthday! Can you believe my baby is already 18 months old?! It just seems like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital! I do have to say though that he is slowly getting better eating more solid foods. The little guy LOVES pasta! It doesn’t matter if it’s mac & cheese or spaghetti, he loves it all! We haven’t tried alfredo sauce with him yet but I’m sure he’ll like it too.

Today we recieved a couple more donations for our Buddy Walk team. We’ve raised $965!! My goal is $1200 but I’m very happy with what we’ve recieved! I’m leaving online donations for Team Joey open until Monday so if you still want to donate, you have until Monday. Thank you to everyone to has given us a donation. Every dollar you’ve given is going to such a wonderful cause and we’re proud to be part of it!

Time is running out!

September 10, 2007 on 2:18 pm | In Down syndrome, CDSC, Buddy Walk | 2 Comments

OK people! Time is running out for you to get your donations in for Team Joey! If you can’t donate to the CDSC’s Buddy Walk, please try to donate to the local DS organization closest to you! The donations all go for a good cause!!

Team Joey info!

So far, Team Joey has raised $415 of our $1200 goal and time is running out very quickly!

Sinuses, oatmeal, buddy walk & more

August 27, 2007 on 3:16 pm | In Joey, Buddy Walk, Eating Solids, Pregnancy- Leah | 10 Comments

Minus me coming down with a sinus infection thanks to this crazy weather that can’t make up it’s mind what it wants to do, we had a very nice weekend. Thankfully today, I’m starting to feel much better, still stuffy, but feeling better.

Yesterday was my sister in law’s birthday. We spent the day over at my in-laws house. Joey spent most of the afternoon entertaining everyone and giving kisses & high fives to his aunts. Did I mention that he’s starting to give high fives?! That’s my boy!!

Joey even accepted another new food! Getting this child to eat “big people” food has been a struggle. His dislike of different textures has been unbelievable but thankfully he finally seems to be doing MUCH better. Yesterday and today he ate oatmeal for us for the first time. When I had tried it in the past, he flipped out when I would give him a spoonful of it and now he likes it! I’m so happy, no more baby cereal!

I’ve been so busy trying to wrap up my portion of things to do for our Buddy Walk committee. I’m in charge of t-shirts and all the signs for the walk. Whoever thought so much would go into planning something like this? I finally got together all of our sponsor logos to go on the t-shirts and I’ve done everything I can do with the signs for now. We have a committee meeting tonight so hopefully I can finish up even more. I want to get as much of my work for the buddy walk done as possible in case Leah decides to make an early appearance. Also, don’t forget if you would like to join Team Joey or make a donation to our team, you can! Visit my Team Joey page for details!!

Wednesday I have my final ultrasound to see how much Leah weighs. I’m very excited to see approximately how much she actually weighs. Last week at my OB appointment, my doctor guessed she was around 5 1/2 pounds. By the looks of me, she’s that much or more! Speaking of weight. Just a quick little rant…

Yesterday, no names mentioned… a guest over at my inlaw’s house kept on asking me if I was sure I wasn’t having twins instead of just one. This person didn’t ask me this just once but multiple times! When I was pregnant with Joey, I barely gained any weight. I was always nauseated and didn’t eat a whole lot. With Leah, I’m always hungry and since I’m home with Joey, I’m not as active as I would like to be so I’ve gained A LOT of weight. Well, yesterday, it got to the point, I finally had to snap and say, “no I’m not having twins, I’m just fat! I weigh ___! Where as with Joey, I only made it to___.” Of course I think I shocked the heck out of this person by saying that, but MAN, it felt good to say it!

Well, I guess that’s it for now!!

Team Joey info!

August 21, 2007 on 8:12 pm | In CDSC, Buddy Walk | 2 Comments

Our buddy walk is fast approaching (September 29), so for anyone in the area who is interested in joining our team or who would like to make a donation, feel free to check out the information posted here, or click on the “Team Joey” button I made today!
 

Buddy Walk

October 1, 2006 on 3:43 pm | In Down syndrome, Family, CDSC, Buddy Walk | 10 Comments

Our Buddy Walk yesterday was a HUGE success! We had the perfect weather, Joey was such an angel, and we raised $895 for our team. We’ve been recuperating all day!! My friend who is stationed in Groton even got a weekend leave and was able to be there with us. It was all together a wonderful day! Here’s some pictures…


Patrick & Uncle Martin


Aunt Eileen, Aunt Margaret & Aunt Maureen


Our view during the walk


Team Heeran!


Mommy, Daddy & Joey!!!


Dancing to the “good bye” song

Joey’s TV debut!

September 25, 2006 on 1:24 pm | In Down syndrome, Joey, Buddy Walk | 9 Comments

For your viewing pleasure… Joey’s TV debut!! Once you get onto the written story, clink on side link for the actual video. I can’t stand to see myself on film so I’m not actully on the segment. I let our fellow Buddy Walk committee member, Amy, hold Joey. Enjoy!!

preparing for the buddy walk

September 18, 2006 on 8:50 pm | In Joey, Joey's Helmet, Buddy Walk | 7 Comments

I’ve been slowing getting things together for our Buddy Walk on September 30. We’ve got our t-shirts and personalized buttons with our pictures with Joey. We’ve already made it to our goal of $500 and the money is stil coming in! Since this is our first year in the buddy walk, I didn’t want to set our goal too high. But we made it! I’m so excited… I guess didn’t expect people to be so generous, but they have been and I really appreciate it.


This is the picture we decided to go with on our t-shirts for Team Heeran.

Tommorow, Joey and I have an appointment to go to Craniotechnologies for a consultation for Joey to get a helmet. Unfortunatly, Joey’s head never rounded out and has plagiocephaly even with all the belly time and using blanket rolls to have him lay on his other side rather than the flat side. Poor little guy’s back right half of his head is rather oddly shaped. Our insurance says they cover a helmet, or else I’m not sure if we can afford it, they’re close to $2000. Wish us luck!!!!

My son, a star!

September 15, 2006 on 2:14 pm | In Joey, Buddy Walk | 4 Comments

Patrick and I are on the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress’s Buddy Walk committee and amid all the planning and craziness we were just asked if Joey could be used for our local ABC news station’s buddy walk segment! Joey is going to be on TV! It’s going to be taped on September 25 at 12:15 so I will be sure to post a link to the news story as soon as it is available online!! Well at least I have an excuse to go shopping… this means I have to go out and buy him a new outfit :)

I just came across this website, T-21 Club and I …

July 30, 2006 on 9:56 pm | In Parenting, Joey, Buddy Walk | 2 Comments

I just came across this website, T-21 Club and I want to buy everything off of it! I’ve been wanting something different to get certain family members and I think I found it!

I don’t think I have much else to update on. I’m going to be busy helping to plan the CDSC’s Buddy Walk on September 30. Pat and I joined the committee and are doing what we can to help. It’s only the CDSC’s second walk, but we’re expecting around 400 people. It’s been nice helping to plan something as important to DS awareness as the Buddy Walk. I’m looking forward to get more involved as time goes on. It’s hard right now with Joey only being 4 1/2 months old, but once things get more settled down, it’ll be easier (I hope).

I’ve been thinking about before Joey was born, how boring our lives were and how lonely I was. We got married and I moved up here to Connecticut with Patrick and knew no one besides Pat’s family. I still don’t know many people, but having Joey has actully helped me to make friends… if he didn’t have T-21, I wouldn’t be meeting the wonderful families that I have, not to mention all of you other Moms that I’ve met on here.

Back to the Buddy Walk, I’ve been trying to come up with ideas for our Team Name. I don’t want to do “Team Joey”, there’s going to be other Joeys there so I need something different. Does anyone have any ideas?

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