World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) was declared a global awareness day by the United Nations in 2012. The date for WDSD is always on March 21st, 3/21- just like the triplicate of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome. This years’ theme for WDSD is WITH US NOT FOR US, signifying refocusing on “A human rights-based approach (that) views people with disabilities as having the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else, working WITH others to improve their lives.”
The summer of 2016 my life trajectory took a wild left turn that my husband and I were not expecting. We received the news from our OB after our 20+week anatomy scan that our little expected baby girl, had a very unexpected diagnosis of Down syndrome. My name is Melissa Davidson, and I am the proud mother of a spunky, bright, beautiful girl, named Daisy. It has been my privilege to bring this celebration to RVU since 2017, as I am able to be her advocate at a medical school who’s very Core Values speak to Compassion and Diversity. My mission has been taming the DOOM AND GLOOM very real, very depressing, diagnosis stories other parents have received and instead I am hoping to inspire new physicians and medical personnel to know Down syndrome is OK, it’s not bad and actually, pretty life affirming at times. While our diagnosis story was hard to hear, my doctor was full of support and positivity- things a LOT of medical professionals skip over when giving difficult news. This year our event will feature a parent panel, where we encourage you to ask us questions about the diagnosis, about growing up with Down syndrome and navigating our not special, but different, health journeys.
Melissa Davidson
Office of Testing Personnel, RVU Employee 13 years, Mom to Daisy 6 years
Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network- Parenting an Only Child Group Moderator 3 years
Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association First Call Family for Prenatal and Secular support 5 years
RVU WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY EVENTS
Parents Panel
3/21
12-1 PM
Auditorium 2 & Zoom
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) was declared a global awareness day by the United Nations in 2012. The date for WDSD is always on March 21st, 3/21- just like the triplicate of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome. This years’ theme for WDSD is WITH US NOT FOR US, signifying refocusing on “A human rights-based approach (that) views people with disabilities as having the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else, working WITH others to improve their lives.”
Parents from Colorado and Utah will be joining on zoom to discuss their experiences receiving difficult diagnoses. Attendees can join in-person or via zoom.
Read Melissa Davidson’s story for World Down Syndrome Day.
Rock Your Socks!
8 AM – 3 PM
Wear your brightest, mismatched socks to show your support for World Down Syndrome Day.
To enter the contest, take a photo of yourself wearing your most vivid socks and submit it by 3 PM on 3/21.
The person with the highest rating on each campus will win a $25 gift card!
CO: $25 gift card to Brewabilitly
MT: $25- gift card to City Brew
UT: $25 gift card to Farmstead
Submit your photo!
Movie Night: The Peanut Butter Falcon
Sponsored by the Neurodiversity Club, The PsychSIGN Club & Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
6 – 8 PM
Auditorium 2
50 tickets per campus
After running away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a pro wrestler, a man who has Down syndrome befriends an outlaw who becomes his coach and ally.
Stay after the movie for a discussion led by the Neurodiversity Club in Colorado and the PsychSIGN Club in Utah.
A calendar invite will be sent to you once you RSVP.
Movie Night: The Peanut Butter Falcon
Sponsored by the Neurodiversity Club, The PsychSIGN Club & Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Montana
3:30 – 5:30 PM
North Auditorium
50 tickets per campus
After running away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a pro wrestler, a man who has Down syndrome befriends an outlaw who becomes his coach and ally.
Stay after the movie for a discussion led by the Neurodiversity Club in Colorado and the PsychSIGN Club in Utah.
A calendar invite will be sent to you once you RSVP.
Jeans Day in Support of Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association
All Day
Employees can donate $1 to wear jeans. Students can donate too!
Melisa Davidson (CO), Lynne Stephenson (UT), and Vanessa Lund (MT) will be collecting cash donations.
Melissa Davidson will be collecting Venmo donations for all campuses.
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