First of all, I want to thank the Board members for the confidence they have put in me and for choosing me for this important role. I am honored. I assure you that I will try my best to keep up with all the issues of this great organization and fulfill all your expectations.
My name, as some of you know, is Javier Valera. I am originally from Spain. I came to the United States in 2004 to teach Spanish as a second language and I stayed! I have a wonderful family of 6 (including me and my dog). I have three kids, Carlos, 15, Daniel 10 and Carolina 8.
We found out that Daniel had Down syndrome during my wife's pregnancy. It was difficult and confusing at the beginning. We did not know anything. We started getting involved with other groups and became members of DSNMC, but we did not participate in any events for several years, until we started to attend the Buddy Walk. Years passed and one day Kathy Myers called me to ask for help with outreach to the Latino families. I was so excited. I love calling new families, offering support and inviting them to our meetings. Finally, three years ago we started the Latino group, which now has more than 60 families, and has become an important reference for new Latino families in the area.
I am very, very excited about my new role as president and look forward to working with the DSNMC Board of Directors, members, staff and all the wonderful people that make DSNMC possible. My goals for the organization are to make it bigger by reaching more families who can benefit from our resources and collective knowledge. I would love to see DSNMC participate in more programs that benefit our children, such as the MCPS Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), as well as assisting in advocacy efforts for legislation, such as the ABLE Act, that enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.
But, I cannot and I do not want to do it myself, and for this reason, I want to make the Board more active. I want to involve our great group of self-advocates (from ArtStream) from in making decisions to volunteer at our events, so we can be the base for them to grow personally and professionally. I also want to involve our members. I want to invite you to attend our Winter Dance & Buddy Walk Celebration on February 11th, our annual membership meetings and allow "open" meetings of the Board of Directors. I believe DSNMC is made of great and very special people. Together, we can make it even better.
I wish you all the best and I hope to see you soon!
Javier Valera
President of the DSNMC
BUDDY WALK SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
L to R: (clockwise), Bob Lannan, Maura Lannan, Bobby Lannan, Peggy Lannan and Richard "Ritchie" Lannan
About Lannan Legal PLLC: Lannan Legal PLLC provides legal advice and representation to hospitality companies nationwide. Before founding this firm, Bob Lannan practiced law at Marriott International, Inc. and Hilton Worldwide, Inc. The firm’s clients include hotel owners and management companies, restaurant owners, event planners, suppliers to hospitality companies, transportation companies and others in the hospitality industry, as well as other industries. Bob is the founder and a Co-Chair of the annual Hotel & Lodging Legal Summit at Georgetown University Law Center, and is also a member of the faculty of Georgetown University’s Global Hospitality Leadership master’s degree program.
Why Lannan Legal PLLC supports DSNMC: Lannan Legal PLLC is proud to support DSNMC. The firm’s Principal, Bob Lannan, is the father of Richard Lannan, who has Down syndrome. The Lannan family has received wonderful support from DSNMC, and wants to ensure that all local families touched by Down syndrome receive similar support. Lannan Legal supports DSNMC's work to help these families and to raise awareness in the broader community of people with Down syndrome, their needs and the gifts they have to offer.
BUDDY WALK® ON WASHINGTON, April 4-5 &
#DSWORKS EMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE, April 3
Please join DSNMC for the 2017 Buddy Walk® on Washington (BWW) . The Buddy Walk® on Washington is an annual two-day advocacy event sponsored by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). The Buddy Walk® on Washington brings the Down syndrome community together to advocate for public policies that impact the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families. Advocates come face to face with Members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill to advance education, research and healthcare for people with Down syndrome. The conference will be held on April 4-5, 2017, at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, and on Capitol Hill. Participants are also encouraged to attend the first annual NDSS #DSWORKS Employment Conference on April 3, 2017.
DSNMC will pay the registration fees for any member who attends BWW or #DSWORKS.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER and use the code DSNMC17 at checkout. This code will reduce the fee by 100%. The registration deadline is March 27, 2017. Please contact Deirdre Kelly at admin@dsnmc.org if you have questions.
To celebrate the spirit of Buddy Walk, DSNMC is combining the annual Winter Dance with a Buddy Walk Celebration. All DSNMC members, and non-members who had planned to attend Buddy Walk, are welcome to join us on Saturday, February 11th. We have selected a new location for this year's dance that will allow us to accommodate a larger group of guests. We are closing in on 350 attendees!
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2017
Time: 5-9 PM
The Academy of the Holy Cross
4920 Strathmore Avenue - Kensington, MD 20895
A DJ, music, photo booth, and food from Mamma Lucia will be provided for this festive and casual event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear presentations from our self advocates and meet with some of our exhibitors and sponsors in a designated resource area. This is a FREE event, but registration is required. Click here to reserve your spot today!
UPCOMING EVENTS THROUGH JUNE 30* *Please refer to the DSNMC website calendar for details regarding event locations, times and any registration information. The calendar will be updated as details become available, including information about future ArtStream Workshops. Details about events are shared on the DSNMC listserv and Facebook Page closer to the date of the event. If you would like to be added to the listserv, please send a request to admin@dsnmc.org.
FEBRUARY 1
Tools for Schools Workshop - 7:30 to 9:00 PM
"The IEP Process" - Click for Event Flyer
FEBRUARY 11
Winter Dance & Buddy Walk Celebration - 5 to 9 PM
FEBRUARY 25
"Talk Yoga" Play Groups
Ages 2-5, 9 AM
Ages 6-8, 10 AM Location to be confirmed - email Dawn Piper for details
MARCH 8
DSNMC Board of Directors - 7:30 PM
Gwendolyn Coffield Center
MARCH 18
Grupo Latino Meeting - 1 to 3 PM
Potomac Community Center
MARCH 21
World Down Syndrome Day Celebration Details TBD
MARCH 25
Play Group Meet Up - Details TBD
Silver Spring Library
APRIL 3-5
#DSWORKS Employment Conference
&
Buddy Walk on Washington
APRIL 22
Earth Day Celebration & Egg Hunt
Cabin John Park - Time TBD
MAY 20
Grupo Latino Meeting - 1 to 3 PM
Potomac Community Center
