DSAWM

Empowering Individuals. Supporting Communities.

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February 16, 2022

Cute and Confident!

The DSAWM staff sat down a few weeks ago to interview our new Self Advocate Intern Eric Willinger. Tell us about yourself, Eric. I’m so cute! Haha, and confident!  Yes! […]

February 16, 2022

A Great Place to Work

by Freddy Cook My Name is Freddy Cook and I work for Special Olympics Michigan Area 11 at the new Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports and Inclusion Center. I go […]

January 17, 2022

Never Give Up

by CJ VanSkiver “Never give up,” is something I say to myself all the time. It means that the only way you can fail is if you stop trying. I […]

August 23, 2021

Connecting Communities

Earlier this month, the leadership of the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation (DSAWMF) announced the Connecting Communities campaign, an $850,000 fundraising effort to move their headquarters to the […]

August 23, 2021

Pandemic Perspective

by Kate Cole In just a few short days, my life was changed by COVID-19. Many of my routine activities were stopped and shut down. It felt like my life […]

August 10, 2021

Two Punches on the Disability Punch Card

by Amy Wigger Your son is autistic. I let out a sigh of relief, at the same time feeling like someone had knocked the wind out of me with so […]

February 10, 2021

Staff Spotlight: Jennifer DeVault

2020 was a crazy year full of disappointments, but also MAGIC! We have moved the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan into a very exciting space with other likeminded organizations, […]

February 9, 2021

My Story of Grief and Transformation

Lara Kitts A couple of years ago I began a journey of getting to know my soul and healing a lot of wounds. In that process, I realized that we, […]

February 5, 2021

Endless Possibilities Await

2020 presented Down syndrome affiliates across the world with many challenges to overcome, and the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) was no exception. Our organization serves 350 families […]

February 4, 2021

We Have to Make the Best of This

Molly VandeWater Like all of us, DSAWM Intern and Self-Advocate Molly has been greatly impacted by the covid-19 pandemic. Molly is social butterfly. If she’s not filming videos or being […]

November 12, 2020

The Soon-To-Be Newlyweds

by Cody & Lisa Cody: We met 4 years ago at Noah’s Landing in Florida, a special needs housing community. We knew we liked each other because of the same […]

November 10, 2020

Welcome to the Board

Chloe Bayer My name is Chloe Bayer and I work as a Benefits and Information and Referral Specialist at Disability Advocates of Kent County and have worked for various other […]

November 2, 2020

My Sister Jeanie

by Toni Masullo When I was about seven years old, my Aunt Jeanie moved into my home after my grandparents could no longer care for her on their own due […]

August 10, 2020

Best Birthday Ever!

by Molly VandeWater DSAWM intern and self-advocate Molly celebrated her 32nd birthday on July 21st. From blueberry picking with her CLS worker to enjoying a Frozen 2-themed cake with friends, […]

February 12, 2020

Elvis and the 21st Chromosome

by Erin Doyle Toburen Elvis arrived in blue suede shoes, aviators, and a jumpsuit shortly before the end of my freshman year of college. Already the parents of four children […]

February 12, 2020

Living His Dream

by Liam Doyle Elvis may have left the building, but Liam is keeping the King’s legend alive with heart and style. At just 16 years old, Liam has already traveled […]

November 6, 2019

A Letter from the President

by Brad Rivard I’ve become fond of the phrase “Frustration and anxiety live in the space between reality and expectation”. For Rachael and I, we really started to feel that […]

July 29, 2019

Summer Camp Fun

by Maria Leestma Artists Creating Together Camp People from ACT got ready for summer at art camp at Meijer Gardens. They brought yarn, wire, watercolor paint, paint brushes, rocks, crayons, […]

July 29, 2019

Celebrating an Extra Chromosome

by Ruth Lee Dear Fellow Travelers My road to Independence is currently under construction. The work can be messy, noisy, irritating, and inconvenient. Ride with me. Expect speed bumps, pot […]

November 7, 2018

God Answered My Prayers in a Coffee Shop

Lori Tepastte, Grand Rapids On February 9, 2016, I sat in the waiting room with my husband and our immediate family at a local hospital waiting for the arrival of […]

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  • About
  • Our Programs & Services
  • Calendar
  • DSAWM Foundation
  • Resources
  • Get Involved
  • Contact