At the MDSC's 24th Annual Conference, Boston Globe columnist Beverly Beckham was awarded the prestigious MDSC Media Award. The MDSC Media Award was established seven years ago to recognize with honor a person or company which disseminates up-to-date information about Down syndrome.  Past MDSC Media Award recipients include Iry Shappell, founder of Woodbine House Publishers, Cynthia Kidder of Band of Angels Press, K.C. Myers of the Cape Cod Times, Gene Lavanchy of FOX-25 Morning News, and last year, Amy Marcus of the Wall Street Journal.

A Canton resident and prolific New England writer and columnist, Beckham currently writes a weekly column on life and family, which appears on Sundays in the Boston Globe. Ms. Beckham is also grandmother to Lucy, a three-year-old girl with Down syndrome. Since Lucy's arrival, Ms. Beckham has made significant investments in her print column and podcasts to educate readers about Down syndrome.

 "Beverly has been invaluable to the Down syndrome community given her dedication to share the most personal aspects of her life as a grandmother to a child with Down syndrome, said Suzanne B. Shea, president of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. "Her columns provide a poignant and honest look inside a world that not everyone understands, and she skillfully showcases how that life can be rewarding in many ways. We are very proud to honor Beverly with this award." 

View the MDSC's Video Tribute to Beverly Beckham. 

Click below for a sampling of Beverly Beckham's pieces on Down syndrome:

"Lucy's Learning.  But are doctors? "  Boston Globe, February 4, 2007.

"Baby Steps Came on Her Own Schedule ."  Boston Globe, March 28, 2006. 

"Life Deals a Tough Hand. "  Boston Globe, March 26, 2006.

"Prenatal test adds to painful debate. "  Boston Globe, November 20, 2005.

"Accommodating special needs is a team effort. "  Boston Globe, November 5, 2004.

"Perfect baby syndrome run amok. "  Boston Globe, June 25, 2004.

"From Lucy, a fulfilling year. "  Boston Globe, June 18, 2004.

"State's illogic fails Tracey. "  Boston Globe, May 26, 2004.   

Beverly Beckham was also interviewed for a PBS special report on Down syndrome.