WDSD 2022 was such a huge success! The internet finally flooded with positivity and joy. There were many things posted all over the internet so I grabbed a few pics and added them here. I am still trying to catch up on it all. What an incredible day to be a part of and witness. So many of you celebrated the individuals with Down Syndrome so so well. It was LOUD and PROUD!  Thank you so much to every single person that supported the WDSD mission of educating and advocating for inclusion across all platforms. It really is incredible to see what we can all do together and to witn ..read more

WDSD is quickly approaching! We have seen the socks, and the cool tee shirts, the pictures of all the people with Down syndrome, and their amazing accomplishments. What we often forget about the ROCK YOUR SOCKS campaign is that we are supposed to EDUCATE our classes/families/friends/co-workers/employees/community members/teachers/bosses/grandmothers...EVERYONE about what living with Down syndrome is. Not only do we explain that WDSD is on the 21st Day of the 3rd month to represent the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome BUT also how people with that extra chromosome are often ..read more

  We are beyond grateful to have been announced the NFL Canada's FAN OF THE YEAR!!! We are completely humbled by the nomination and feel extremely blessed to have been chosen by a panel of judges to be the FIRST PLACE prize winners, receiving a prize of $30,000!!!! Honestly, we are so happy to serve in our community that this was the last thing we ever expected or dreamed of. We are just happy to be active community members helping us all to grow together as a more inclusive place for all people. Since you're here - Here's how the story unfolds, as well as all the media links to the inter ..read more

  World Down Syndrome Day - A day to celebrate the contributions made by those with Down syndrome that are in our lives, and communities. WDSD is on March 21st or - 3.21 - to signify the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome that people with Down syndrome have. Many of you celebrated in your homes this year by wearing your CHF socks (or any mismatched socks), took pics and shared on your social media. Some of you made donations to charities that are near and dear to your heart. I know CHF received many donations on 3.21 and we are so very grateful. We are always so humbled by community suppo ..read more

Think about a time where you felt you truly belonged. Think about your role in that space. Did you feel safe? Accepted? Respected? Were you able to contribute? Were you celebrated for exactly who you are in that moment and not the potential of what you might one day be. But just for you, Just as you are?  Inclusion has been a buzz word for at least a decade. But sometimes we don’t know how to do it properly. It’s not enough to allow someone who is different into a space and call it good. It’s also not about allowing someone into a space and trying to make them “be more like the group.” It ..read more

Please feel free to print this poster about WDSD right from the page here. Use it to hang around your homes, schools, offices, gyms...EVERYWHERE! March 21st  3.21 It has been quite a year of social distancing, isolating, and virtual everything. Last year, for WDSD it was challenging to get out there in the community to celebrate. Schools, workplaces, gyms, stores, EVERYTHING was closed. We did the best we could via brand new virtual platforms to honour and educate those we know and love with Down syndrome. Nothing can stop us with social media at our fingertips!! 2021 is still a year of ..read more

Seeing as we were all told to social distance for WDSD, we all had to celebrate from our homes. Thank goodness for social media and the ability to connect that way.  Thank you so much to those of you who rocked your socks and posted a pic tagging us and using the hashtag #chfwdsd I will share just a few pics here to show that community support means the world to us! We can't change the narrative and the negative stigma around Down syndrome or disability alone. WE NEED YOU! We need you to educate, share, support, and acknowledge the abilities of ALL people in our world. Thank you ..read more

They say, "The show must go on" - well - THE SHOW WENT ON! We had originally intended to have an event at All Level CrossFit and celebrate WDSD with our fitness community, but the universe had other plans. All Level is the gym where our Adaptive Athletes participate in a fully inclusionary setting twice a week. Please for more information or if you want to some and check out one of the Adaptive Athlete Sessions!  John, the owner of the gym, wanted to do something special to honour WDSD and all of our athletes with Down syndrome on WDSD. He created a custom workout where all the numbers ar ..read more

About a week before WDSD, I was super lucky to be able to visit 3 kindergarten classes and a WE leadership program at a local elementary school. Since then things have changed drastically. So much so that we are now in self isolation in order to protect ourselves from a nasty virus going around right now. Which makes these few visits super special to me now.  One of my all time favourite things to do is be in the classroom (probably why I am a teacher LOL). Being a teacher is amazing but there is something very different about coming in and talking to young kids about really grown u ..read more

Had a blast at Capaz Cafe for their open house in honour of World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). WDSD is actually on March 21st every year. We celebrate on the 21st day of the 3rd month to honour the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome that leads to Down syndrome. However, we thought we would get into the spirit early this year.  *above photo curtesy of Snapd Capaz Cafe is a new business that just recently opened at the end of 2019. It is run by the loveliest of them all, Lucy. Her vision for this cafe is to empower people with disabilities by highlighting their capabilities, and showing our ..read more