Dawn McKenna - Down Syndrome Research Foundation
Posted by Gloria Staudt
on May 16, 2016
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Photo Credit: Wendy Scott
Guest Speaker - Dawn McKenna, Executive Director of Down Syndrome Research Foundation(DSRF). 16 years ago Dawn left her corporate job to do more fulfilling work dedicated to helping individuals with Down Syndrome reach their full potential at the Down Syndrome Foundation headquartered on Sperling Avenue in Burnaby - from working in a trailer to a 12,000 square foot building in 2002. Dawn, sponsored into Rotary by Gloria, was a hardworking dedicated Rotary board member as treasurer for several years until she left due to job priorities.
The Non Profit Organization
DSRF is an independent world leader in research and education in Down syndrome, and has become a catalyst for leading researchers, educators and clinicians focused on Down syndrome. They celebrated their 20th anniversary last year. They empower individuals with Down syndrome to reach their full potential throughout life by pioneering and providing educational programs and services, grounded in foundational research. Working with researchers, professionals and families, we are a bridge between research and practice. They offer individualized programs and services, conferences and workshops. Their programs are continually evolving as they gain new understanding through their ongoing research. They offer a wide variety of educational opportunities to children and young adults with Down syndrome, including ground-breaking reading and communications programs, speech therapy, music in motion, summer school and transitions programs which prepare students to live full and fulfilling lives.
About Down Syndrome - what it is
Down Syndrome is a genetic condition where individuals are born with an extra chromosome. This causes cellular changes that lead to health problems, developmental delays and learning disabilities. They have a wide range of abilities, different physical and cognitive development. Reporting to a National or
Their information processing is slower. We receive, sort, store some then act on information fairly quickly. They receive new information which does not get through quickly from what all that is stored and not yet processed. The can do things but it takes a lot longer. At DSRF, they help them to streamline the information they receive through their educational programs teaching them better strategies to achieve being the best they can be.
A few examples of individuals they helped:
Mel - A volunteer at fund raising dinner and other corporate events had experienced being bullied and so was not communicating when she began her DSRF program. Three months later, with greater confidence, she initiated greetings with Dawn and others. She now works 4 days a week at a Health Company and takes the bus on her own.
Edison - At 2 1/2 yrs old after heart surgery and not speaking, a speech pathologist told his parents that he may never talk. Frustrated they took him to DSRF. After 6 months working with their head speech pathologist, he had become a chatterbox. He is now a thriving non stop chatterbox.
Andrew. After high school, he was reserved and had no self confidence. Through DRSF, he expressed an amazing sense of humor. He will be starting a job as a dishwasher.
Matthew, Gloria’s nephew is kind and lovable as is characteristic of those with Down Syndrome also graduated from DSRF. Among what he learned about public transit and handling money. He travels on the bus to and from his volunteer program and other classes and sometimes stops for Starbucks and meals at restaurants on his way home.
Focus:
Their Strategic Plan’s overarching goals are to Increase in 1. Scale ( increasing the number of lives touched by DSRF) and 2. Scope ( to expand their programs) through various objectives. Progress is monitored by the DSRF’s board quarterly.
Funding:
Because they are considered in the category of Education and not Community Service, they do not receive much government funding. 10% is from a gaming grant. 24% from program fees and much is needed through fund raising events and requests made to various organizations and individuals.
Support is welcomed as a volunteer, member, sponsor of events or programs and donations.
www.dsrf.org
Q&A
Lifespan -
In 1929, lifespan was 7 years and today lifespan is 56years.
Employment Opportunities -
Rotarian Ajay Caleb presented a workshop “Rotary at Work: It’s Good For Business” helping individuals with disabilities find meaningful work
Different Kinds -
There are three different types of Down syndrome: Standard Trisomy 21, Translocation, and Mosaicism. Standard Trisomy 21 is when the extra chromosome 21 comes from either the egg or sperm cell.
About Down Syndrome - what it is
Down Syndrome is a genetic condition where individuals are born with an extra chromosome. This causes cellular changes that lead to health problems, developmental delays and learning disabilities. They have a wide range of abilities, different physical and cognitive development. Reporting to a National or
Their information processing is slower. We receive, sort, store some then act on information fairly quickly. They receive new information which does not get through quickly from what all that is stored and not yet processed. The can do things but it takes a lot longer. At DSRF, they help them to streamline the information they receive through their educational programs teaching them better strategies to achieve being the best they can be.
A few examples of individuals they helped:
Mel - A volunteer at fund raising dinner and other corporate events had experienced being bullied and so was not communicating when she began her DSRF program. Three months later, with greater confidence, she initiated greetings with Dawn and others. She now works 4 days a week at a Health Company and takes the bus on her own.
Edison - At 2 1/2 yrs old after heart surgery and not speaking, a speech pathologist told his parents that he may never talk. Frustrated they took him to DSRF. After 6 months working with their head speech pathologist, he had become a chatterbox. He is now a thriving non stop chatterbox.
Andrew. After high school, he was reserved and had no self confidence. Through DRSF, he expressed an amazing sense of humor. He will be starting a job as a dishwasher.
Matthew, Gloria’s nephew is kind and lovable as is characteristic of those with Down Syndrome also graduated from DSRF. Among what he learned about public transit and handling money. He travels on the bus to and from his volunteer program and other classes and sometimes stops for Starbucks and meals at restaurants on his way home.
Focus:
Their Strategic Plan’s overarching goals are to Increase in 1. Scale ( increasing the number of lives touched by DSRF) and 2. Scope ( to expand their programs) through various objectives. Progress is monitored by the DSRF’s board quarterly.
Funding:
Because they are considered in the category of Education and not Community Service, they do not receive much government funding. 10% is from a gaming grant. 24% from program fees and much is needed through fund raising events and requests made to various organizations and individuals.
Support is welcomed as a volunteer, member, sponsor of events or programs and donations.
www.dsrf.org
Q&A
Lifespan -
In 1929, lifespan was 7 years and today lifespan is 56years.
Employment Opportunities -
Rotarian Ajay Caleb presented a workshop “Rotary at Work: It’s Good For Business” helping individuals with disabilities find meaningful work
Different Kinds -
There are three different types of Down syndrome: Standard Trisomy 21, Translocation, and Mosaicism. Standard Trisomy 21 is when the extra chromosome 21 comes from either the egg or sperm cell.