Riverbend Down Syndrome Parent Support Group

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The Riverbend Down Syndrome Parent Support Group is incorporated in Illinois as a not-for-profit corporation and a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with Employer Identification Number: 14-1982424. As a a community group of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, we provide support and information to parents of children with Down syndrome in Southwestern Illinois. Our aim is to support each other and enrich the lives of our children so they may reach their fullest potential to lead an independent life within the community.

The copyrighted information provided on this web site [http://www.riverbendds.org] is for personal and non-commercial use.

Our group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 4^th Monday of each month at LeClaire Christian Church, 1914 Esic Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Map

Monday, March 22^nd Parent support meeting
Saturday, March 20^th Fund raiser event: 4^th Annual Scotch Doubles Bowling Tournament, Tri County Bowl–Jerseyville, IL

Rethinking 'Retarded': Should It Leave The Lexicon?

A Different Kind of Perfect

E. Duff Wrobbel, with his daughter Holly.

E. Duff Wrobbel, with his daughter Holly at the St. Louis Down Syndrome Buddy Walk in 2008.

October 15, 2009 — "Retarded" used to be a garden-variety insult, but it may be the next candidate for prime-time bleeping.
E. Duff Wrobbel never gave the word much thought – until his daughter was born with Down syndrome. When she was just a baby, Wrobbel was driving with her when another car cut them off.
"And I actually said that word," says Wrobbel, who is a professor of speech communications. "And then I stopped my car and got teary. And I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe I just said that.'"
Now, Wrobbel has joined other activists who campaign against the word "retard." To them, it's not a hilarious put-down; it's hate speech. (The word has been retired by medical and social service organizations, which prefer the term "intellectual disabilities" instead.)
More: Read the entire article by Neda Ulaby and the NPR transcript.

A Different Kind of Perfect: The Story of Parents' Choices and a Special Child's Blessings

A Different Kind of Perfect: The Story of Parents' Choices and a Special Child's Blessings is George Lane's first book. Its book cover has appeared on the cover of Publisher's Weekly magazine, and was a finalist in the Parenting/Family category of USA Book News' National Best Books 2008 Awards
In endorsing the book, Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia says, "A Different Kind of Perfect presents the compelling memoir of a family's journey through suffering and sacrifice as they seek to remain faithful to the Church's teaching on the inviolable dignity of all human life. The resolution of the journey presents a resilient defense of the gift of the child. This work demonstrates in a personal and touching manner that the path to the Civilization of Love will emerge only through the Culture of Life."
A Different Kind of Perfect, writes Joseph Gaskin, parent of lead plaintiff, Lydia Gaskin, in the Pennsylvania federal class action inclusive education settlement agreement, Gaskin v. Commonwealth, "is a book that will inspire a wide audience to look past the differences in others and find the gift that is within each one of us. As a nation, we ended the discriminatory practice of separate schools based on race. It is now time to end the discriminatory practice of separate schools and classrooms based on disability. It is a time to meet the needs of all children in their neighborhood schools, regular classrooms, with supports and services."