Events
Adult Conference
In April 2018, the MDSC hosted the 2nd Growing Up with Down Syndrome: Living a Longer, Healthier and More Meaningful Life conference geared specifically for adults with Down syndrome, their loved ones and providers. The event, organized in collaboration with the Mass General Hospital Down Syndrome Program, took place at Bentley University. The conference represents a significant step in the MDSC’s commitment to strategically address the needs of all our families throughout the lifespan. The conference included a full day of programming for self-advocates including networking and saving & spending activities led by our partners at the Boston office of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and a variety of workshops led by members of the MDSC Self Advocate Advisory Council. For parents, adult siblings, and others within the support network of our loved ones with Down syndrome, the day included a keynote and breakout session delivered by Dr. Dennis McGuire, a Down syndrome behavioral expert with more than 30 years of experience in the fields of mental health and developmental disabilities. He is the former Director of Psychosocial Services for the Adult Down Syndrome Center of Lutheran General Hospital in suburban Chicago, the largest clinic for adults with Down syndrome in the United States. He helped establish the center, which serves over 4,000 unique adult patients with Down syndrome each year. Dr. McGuire keynotes at events around the world and is the co-author of two prominent books about promoting wellbeing in adults with Down syndrome:
Other workshops included:
It was wonderufl to see so many of our longtime families coming together to learn about issues related directly to adults with Down syndrome and to celebrate these incredible members our community! |