September Parent Support Meeting

Deaest Sharing Families,

I can't wait for you to meet my friend, Jeffrey LeClair who will be presenting at our upcoming Sharing Down Syndrome parent meeting.

He will answer any questions you may have about making sure your child with Down syndrome is well cared for. Respite will be provided and should be notated when registering if you plan to use the service.

Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before the presentation. Building security does not leave the door unlocked. A Sharing staff member will help you enter the building.

Please call with any questions at 480-926-6500.

With love,

Gina Johnson (aka David's Mom)

Thank you, Mayo Clinic! 

On July 15, 2024, my friends, Barb Wilkins & son Eric Gardner, Kay and Parker Bradshaw, Carol Tingey, Kelly Leavitt, and David and I presented about Down syndrome to 64 medical students at Mayo Clinic. I also felt impressed to ask David’s friend, Amity Hayward, to tell about her brother Dayton (see YouTube: Dayton’s Leg), who has CP. Afterward, many students thanked us, including this dear medical student, Javin Patel, who told us about his beloved sister, who also has CP. I could feel the love he feels for his dear big sister. 

I am grateful that our kids with any disability touch the lives of those who love them. They also make us all better people.

Javin Patel and big sister in India

big sister today

Amity Hayward, Javin Patel, and Parker Bradshaw

Gina's Blog

From My Heart to Yours,

Love, David's Mom

Dearest Beloved Friends,

If you want to know what love looks like, it is this. This is my dear friend,

Hadija Mmbucwa, holding her son, David, the day I met her 18 years ago. In so

many ways Hadija reminds me of the young Jewish girl, Anne Frank, who lived in Amsterdam during World War II. Anne is best known for her diary, which she kept while her family was hiding from the Nazis in a secret annex behind

a bookcase in her father’s office building. Despite the constant fear and danger, they faced, Anne’s diary is full of hope, humor, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of life. Sadly, eventually, she and her family were arrested by the Gestapo and she died in a concentration camp in 1945. Hadija reminds me of her because Anne once wrote, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a

single moment before starting to improve the world.” I want to tell you Hadija’s story...

Continue reading Gina's blog!

It's the Season for Giving!

Our hearts are full of the tremendous grants generosity Sharing has recently received. Thank you Thunderbirds Charities, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, and Tempe Diablos Charities for believing in our mission to champion and celebrate all people with Down syndrome throughout their lifespan.

The 2025 Sharing Down Syndrom Walk is scheduled for Saturday, March 29th, 2025.

It's not too soon to allocate your tax credit donation to Sharing to help ensure we can continue to serve the Down syndrome community we love so much!

Upcoming Events

Join us for Parent Education Night with Salt River Pima Adaptive Recreation as we help spread insight into Down syndrome. Be sure to stop by the Sharing Down Syndrome resource table!

Every year Sharing looks forward to partnering with the Chandler Police Department and the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix for Pizza with Police. This is a memorable event and we highly recommend all families attend. Chandler Police make it a fun-filled afternoon. Be sure to stop by our booth to say 'hello!' Stay tuned - registration opens soon!

Hurry! Registration open through September 9th!

Launched in 2021, the I GOT THIS Golf Camp delivers a baseline of instruction and experiences that encourage further interest in golf. The program is open to those aged 13+ with intellectual disabilities, along with a Playing Partner. The curriculum is designed to take an Athlete from learning basic skills to being able to play with family and friends. 

The Camps revolve around the interaction between our Instructors, the Athletes and Playing Partners. Each Athlete is required to bring a Playing Partner. The Playing Partner is critical for an Athlete's success as they will be the person who encourages and facilitates practice and play between lessons and beyond the Camp. I GOT THIS Golf Camp approaches each Playing Partner as an assistant coach and should be an adult parent or a responsible individual who is a constant in the Athlete’s life. If a Playing Partner is not available, please contact Executive Director Tracy Hupko at Tracy@igotthis.foundation. I GOT THIS Golf Camp before registering.

For more information follow this link and check out the attached flyer. 

Helpful Resources

Families are invited to take advantage of Lauren's Institute Traveling Clinic.