Jumping In With Both Feet
Written by Katie VanOeverenFebruary 2023 For the second time, I jumped in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. I’m a Special Olympic athlete and I support my friends and my teams […]
Making The First Call
Written by Victoria HartFebruary 2023 Learning that your baby has Down syndrome is an overwhelming and emotional experience for most parents. That’s why the “first call” is so important. In […]
Jenna Lee: Youth Ambassador
Written by Ruth LeeFebruary 2023 Jenna Lee, member of the DSAWM Self-Advocacy Board, has spent the past year training as a Youth Ambassador through the Center on Youth Voice, Youth […]
Celebrating “Designer Genes”
Written by Taya GeglioFebruary 2023 My name is Taya. I am currently a junior at Jenison High School. I am on both the sideline and competitive cheer team at school. […]
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! […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
