Dear Joshua,

What a remarkable day of connection, learning, and community we had together celebrating MDSC's 41st Annual "On My Way" Conference! The energy at the DCU Center was palpable as we gathered to recognize important achievements, share resources, and strengthen our mutual commitment building a brighter future for all people with Down syndrome.

With over 500 people in attendance, this signature event, which dates back to the earliest days of MDSC four decades ago, remains deeply meaningful for our community in 2025. 

We were proud to offer a wealth of information for everyone—, parents and caregivers, self-advocates, brothers and sisters, grandparents, healthcare professionals, educators, community partners and others. Beyond the nearly two dozen expert sessions covering everything related to Down syndrome throughout the lifespan, attendees enjoyed a range of special performances and, of course, our annual awards ceremony.

This year's "On My Way" theme perfectly captured the journey we're all on—both individually and collectively. As we shared at the conference, our loved ones with Down syndrome are constantly on their way to learning new skills, opening eyes, and making the world a better place just by being themselves. Likewise, MDSC continues to be on our way to improving the world for each of our loved ones and building a future where ALL people with Down syndrome have every opportunity to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Please enjoy our official On My Way Video Montage, unveiled at the conference that shows YOUR loved ones On Their Way to ALL of life's rich adventures! 

And we hope you will read more below about all the wonderful details of another special day in the history of MDSC.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Lauren Beckham Falcone, emcee

Under the expert emceeing of WROR's Lauren Beckham Falcone, our Annual Conference Awards Luncheon struck a balance of information, inspiration, and hope. Drawing on the experience of her daughter Lucy, who turns 22 in June, Lauren explained, "Lucy teaches us every day what being On Your Way truly means. She approaches each opportunity with such joy and determination that you can't help but see the world differently through her eyes."

The Beckham Falcone Family

State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues

A champion for disability rights as long as he’s been in the legislature, nearly 30 years, State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, attended our conference for his first time. The senator was introduced by self-advocate Micaiah Elow, who called out his instrumental support for two landmark pieces of legislation that became law — the Higher Education Bill and ABA Therapy Bill. Senator Rodrigues was then presented an original painting by Self Advocate Advisory Council member Michael Avakian. In his remarks, Senator Rodrigues reiterated his unwavering commitment to being a leader in the State House to ensure that people with disabilities are given opportunities to live full, rich lives in their communities. As Micaiah said, "When I speak I hope people will listen. Sen. Rodrigues always listens."

DDS Commissioner Sarah Peterson, who has led the department since August 2024 was just this week officially appointed into the position. In her remarks, she highlighted the importance of MDSC's conference and our vital community impact. Commissioner Peterson shared DDS's mission to create, in partnership with others, innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with IDD to participate fully in their communities as well as important DDS initiatives. She celebrated the longstanding partnership between DDS and MDSC, particularly noting our collaboration over the past seven months on MDSC's lifespan initiative. Commissioner Peterson expressed enthusiasm for continuing to work closely with MDSC in the years ahead.

We were honored to also be joined by special guests in attendance including DDS Deputy Assistant Commissioner Victor Hernandez, State Representative Sean Garballey, DDS Acting Deputy Commissioner Tim Cahill, and former Massachusetts Secretary of Health & Human Services Philip W. Johnston.

We were also grateful to have the teams from two of the state's world-class Down syndrome clinics — the Down Syndrome programs at Boston Children's Hospital and Mass General Hospital — join us.

And so many other renowned physicians, researchers, educators, organization leaders, and expert family members and self-advocates who shared their expertise with us.

Carey Daly, Keynote Speaker

A Cape Cod community leader and athlete, Carey Daly delivered an uplifting keynote address. After being introduced by last year's keynote speaker Isaiah Lombardo (right), Carey said he was "excited to be here today to share about my amazing life," including running the Falmouth Road Race on Team MDSC and serving as a Self Advocate Ambassador at the MDSC Buddy Walk by the Sea. Carey also told a story of resilience about having his hours cut as a technician at the Bike Zone because of Covid. "I found a second job working at a big store and learned a lot of new skills. After a year and a half, I left because it wasn’t the right fit. Lucky for me, The Bike Zone has opened a new store, and with my new skills, I’m back at the Bike Zone working my dream job." Carey concluded: "I want you all to dream big, stand up for yourself, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You are On Your Way to a bright future!"

United Dance Company

We were absolutely thrilled to present an inaugural performance by the United Dance Company, founded in 2022 by United Dance, to provide an avenue for dancers of all abilities to share their artistic talents in productions focusing on new, family-friendly works. The troupe, which included Faye Jones, Hannah Kendrick, Juliet Brown, and Casey O’Donnell, performed “The Letter”, a special ballet choreographed by Gianni Di Marco that celebrates the unique differences that unite us all. When taking the stage, each of the dancers had a voice over that shared their connection to the Down syndrome and dance communities. “Having Down syndrome has its ups and downs, the down part is my post nasal drip,” Faye Jones said. “But the ups is that I have a community like this one, and dancing with people who have Down syndrome has been a part of my career and being fabulous.”

Jane Lane, recipient of the Allen C. Crocker Award of Excellence “

MDSC Board Chair Stacy Lindborg, Crocker Award winner Jane Lane, and Board Vice Chair Jonathan Tabasky

We were proud to honor Jane Lane, MDSC's Government Affairs consultant, with the 2025 Allen C. Crocker Award of Excellence, MDSC's most prestigious honor, named after the pioneering advocate who worked tirelessly to open doors for people with Down syndrome across multiple disciplines.

Working hand in hand with MDSC’s policy team, Jane helped us achieve remarkable legislative success, passing groundbreaking bills — the Down Syndrome Information Act (2012), National Background Check Bill (2014), Organ Transplant Nondiscrimination Bill (2016), the Higher Education Bill (2022), and the ABA Bill (2023) — which have significantly improved the lives of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities.

"What has made Jane so impactful is her profound belief in MDSC's mission," said Board Chair Stacy Lindborg. "She is not only sharp, strategic and studious; she is also caring, compassionate and invested in our community — a true advocate for individuals with Down syndrome."

As MDSC Board Vice Chair Jonathan Tabasky said, "The results have been nothing short of astounding. Jane has consistently helped us achieve our vision of making tangible policy changes, leading to the passage of an incredible string of landmark bills."

Jane is the Managing Director of Philip W. Johnston Associates, and we were pleased to have Philip Johnston, the former MA HHS Secretary who has served in senior positions in the Massachusetts legislature and the United States government, join us to honor Jane. Her storied career as a journalist, campaign spokesperson, and communication director, working closely with Philip over the past few decades, has impacted countless lives.

Jane has become a true friend, someone we can always count on, and a passionate advocate for our community. We cannot thank her enough for her leadership and support for our organization and our loved ones with Down syndrome over many years.

Philip W. Johnston, Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Maureen Gallagher, Rosie and Richard Donahue

Jordan Caira, recipient of the Philip Donahue Employee of the Year Award

Named after Philip Donahue (right), who retired in 2022 after 27 years of loyal service to Market Basket and sadly passed away last fall, MDSC's Employee of the Year Award was presented by Philip's beloved brother Richard Donahue Jr., representing the Richard and Nancy Donahue Foundation. This year's award went to AMC Cinema veteran employee Jordan Caira of Framingham.

"When I read about this year's winner of the Philip Donahue Employee of the Year Award," Richard said, "it was a joy to be reminded of my brother's employment journey. Jordan, like my brother, has a magnetic personality that attracts the absolute best people." Speaking about her dedication as an employee, Richard added: "As a worker, Jordan proves her mettle every single shift... Like the grocery industry, the theatre industry is notorious for sky-high turnover. Not Jordan. This July, she will celebrate her 10-year work anniversary, and she still loves going to work each and every four-hour shift during the evening rush, three times a week." He concluded: "Jordan is an employee any employer would dream of — reliable, dedicated, positive, affable and loyal to the end. The Richard and Nancy Donahue Foundation continues to be instrumental in supporting MDSC's Your Next Star Employment Program, bringing Philip's vision of meaningful employment to life for many individuals with Down syndrome.

Watch Jordan's employment story on the Philip Donahue Your Next Star Employment Center

Sue Lawson Cann, Clare Gillan Huang, and Francisco Zamudio, recipients of Board Service Leadership Awards

Three Board members — Sue Lawson Cann, Clare Gillan Huang, and Francisco Zamudio — were recognized with Board Service Leadership Awards for their combined 18 years of critical oversight, strategic planning, and governance that have been instrumental in advancing MDSC’s work and expanding our impact.

As a former Business Development Director and Relationship Manager at BI WORLDWIDE, Sue Cann excelled at bridging MDSC with corporate and foundation leaders, inspiring them to engage deeply with our mission. Her service on the Board Development Committee helped expand our organizational reach and impact. Sue has been a lead Buddy Walk Team Captain, always lending a helping hand wherever she can.

As a Professor of Practice in the Academic Division of Operations and Information Management at Babson College, Clare Gillan Huang has been instrumental in forging a collaborative partnership between MDSC and the college. She wrote a case study about the MDSC and engaged her students in understanding the inner workings of a successful non-profit organization. As a member of our Board Development Committee, she’s guided the MDSC asking all the right questions and helping us to think strategically about how we can grow and sustain our organization.

Francisco Zamudio, a biochemist professional, who served on the Governance Committee, proved to be an effective community connector and advocate, a role he honed well before joining the board as a key leader for Familias Latinas Unidas por el Sindrome de Down, a support group for Latino families, and a founding member of MDSC's Diversity Outreach Task Force. Francisco has been a guiding light helping the MDSC to become an inclusive welcoming community for all. 

We thank each of them for their service, leadership and dedication to the MDSC!

Throughout the day, we were proud to offer a comprehensive program featuring more than a dozen sessions led by experts and leaders covering the entire Down syndrome journey. Presentations ranged from navigating new parenthood to supporting aging loved ones with Down syndrome, while also addressing crucial topics like health equity, women's wellness, and groundbreaking developments in Alzheimer's research.

The Jr. Ballroom came alive with creativity and excitement during our Self Advocate Track, offering participants a truly immersive artistic experience. The day began with "On My Way to Make Music", a lively music workshop where volunteers played instruments while others clapped along, followed by collaborative songwriting and discussions about how music soothes our minds and bodies. During "On My Way to Perform", the energy continued with theatrical games including "Stage Pictures," where participants recreated images with their bodies, and emotion-based acting challenges that sparked laughter and connection. Attendees then learned choreography to an upbeat musical number, showcasing their newfound performance skills. The creative journey culminated with "On My Way to Create a Masterpiece", where participants expressed their feelings and interests through various artistic materials during a personalized collage-making session. As the day wound down, DJ Dan transformed the space into an exuberant dance party where everybody let off steam before wrapping up a day of community building, expression and joy!

The MDSC Annual Conference is always a dynamic event that offers much more than just general session workshops and the Awards Luncheon. Before this year’s conference even began, we hosted a Diversity Breakfast to bring together families from diverse backgrounds. Throughout the day, our Brothers & Sisters Track provided an opportunity for siblings of individuals with Down syndrome to connect and share experiences about the unique joys and challenges they face. Our Education Workshops offered valuable insights into best practices for supporting students with Down syndrome in inclusive classrooms and highlighted the benefits of inclusion for all learners. Additionally, our Grandparents and New Parents Specialty Workshops created a welcoming space for these groups to connect, share their stories, and gain guidance from experts. To cap off the event, we invited attendees to unwind and socialize at a post-conference Networking Reception, offering a chance to continue building connections and reflect on the day’s experiences.

Thank you to everyone who made our 41st Annual Conference such a success.

I want to extend a special thanks to the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services for their support and to our amazing Conference Sponsors: the National Down Syndrome Society, LuMind IDSC Foundation, Sequoia Financial Group & the Nadworny Family, The Alana Down Syndrome Center at MIT, PwC, Seven Hills Foundation, Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, Fletcher Tilton Attorneys at Law, HumanKind Casting, Eastern Bank Foundation, Advocates Inc, and Wellesley Toyota. 

Thanks as well to all the speakers, exhibitors, volunteers, Board & Honorary Board members, management team, and conference attendees who made the day so meaningful for everyone!

Finally, I want to thank everyone for helping make the MDSC what it is today, whether or not you attended the conference. As I mentioned on stage on Saturday, given today’s political and societal landscape, it is imperative that we remind ourselves of all the incredible advances we have achieved. Furthermore, we must work together through our collective strength and resolve to ensure that progress in the areas of health, education & research are protected, and we continue to make critical advances that improve lives. 

On that note, we’re excited to share that we’ll be joining Down syndrome leaders from across the nation on Capitol Hill on April 28-30th at the annual National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Advocacy Conference. With self-advocates leading the charge, we will be walking the halls at Capitol Hill to share our stories with legislators helping them to understand what’s at stake for individuals with Down syndrome when they make funding and policy decisions.

With significant changes being proposed in federal disability policy and funding, MDSC remains firmly committed to standing by your side as we navigate these new challenges ahead. The disability rights movement has consistently proven one undeniable truth — that when our community speaks up, in unison, meaningful change happens.

At MDSC, we remain firmly committed to all of you as we lead the way in promoting full acceptance and inclusion for all people with Down syndrome and their families for many years to come!

Warm Regards,