“DADS” SUPPORT GROUP!!!

of West Michigan

“Inspire, Understand, and Support Your Child”

"Fathering . . . is the single most creative, complicated, fulfilling, frustrating, engrossing, enriching, depleting endeavor of a man's adult life . . . A father may embrace his children, but until he embraces his own unique, irreplaceable value to them as a parent, he does not have as much in his arms as he thinks."

- Excerpted from The Nurturing Father, by Kyle Pruett

We are all fathers of sons and daughters who have special needs. We have a common understanding of each other’s issues and concerns, yet there are few opportunities for us to voice our concerns about raising, caring and living with a child with a disability. The Association believes there is a need for dads to have a place to fellowship with other fathers of children with special needs.

Our Mission

To assist and support, through fellowship and action, the fathers and families of individuals with Down syndrome

Our Goals

• To create a network of fathers willing to develop a program based on the needs of men themselves

• To foster effective communication between dads, enabling discussion on any topic of concern

• To enhance a father's knowledge and resources about children and individuals with Down syndrome

• To enhance personal advocacy skills

• To heighten a family's ability in coping with the unique challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome

• To provide a safe atmosphere of support where men can openly share

• To enhance a man's inherent nurturing and care-taking skills

• To have fun; to build camaraderie and friendships among fathers and families of children with Down syndrome

• To act as a focal point for other support groups for consultation

• To encourage and promote research into a father's true role within his family and establish best practice by professionals who are in contact with them

Our meetings will include consideration and exploration of relevant issues, followed by informal discussion. When appropriate, we will invite speakers - consultants, pediatricians, teachers, speech therapists, etc.

For more information on “Dads Can”, please complete and mail the “Dads Can” application or call DSAWM at (616) 956-3488 or (866) 665-7451 (toll free).

Membership in “Dads Can” is included in your annual membership dues paid to the DSAWM. For an annual fee of $20.00 fathers of children without Down syndrome are welcome to join this group. Access to other therapeutic programs and funding offered by the DSAWM is available only parents and families of children with Down syndrome who are members of the association.