Thank you for your interest in the spotlight section of our site. This area will update as items of interest are brought to our attention.

Information contained in this section do not neccessarily represent the opinions or beliefs of the Central Iowa Up With down family support group or its members and is provided a a resource only.

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Here is a little about Best Buddies from their website:


About Best Buddies

Best Buddies ® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.

Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,300 middle school, high school, and college campuses across the country and internationally. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States. We have accredited international programs on six continents with additional country programs under active development. Our six formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e -Buddies® and Jobs – will positively impact more than 350,000 individuals this year. Best Buddies also is systematically implementing our 2010 initiative that will witness the organization's continued significant growth, both domestically and overseas. Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute services to the community that equate to more than $70 million USD.

Even though Best Buddies has advanced tremendously in our short existence, many areas of the country and many regions of the world still lack programs to help people with intellectual disabilities become part of mainstream society. Our goal is to continue expanding nationwide and at the local community level, while more broadly engaging the global community through our programs.



Our Vision
People with intellectual disabilities are often excluded from society because of their differences. Best Buddies is determined to end social isolation for people with intellectual disabilities by establishing meaningful, lasting one-to-one friendships with their non-disabled peers. These friendships help increase self-esteem, confidence and the abilities of people with and without intellectual disabilities.Best Buddies envisions a world where people with intellectual disabilities are so successfully integrated into our schools, our workplaces and our general communities that our current efforts and services will be unnecessary. Until that vision becomes a reality, we will continue to educate middle school, high school and college students, community members, corporations, and employers about the emotional, functional and natural needs and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
Our Mission
The mission of Best Buddies is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Our Goals
By 2010, Best Buddies will continue to build on its successful volunteer base in all 50 States, further expand its accredited international programs to 50 countries and annually engage more than 500,000 people worldwide.


There are 7 area high schools with Best Buddies chapters: Hoover HS, North HS, Dowling HS, Johnston HS, Roosevelt HS, Valley HS, Waukee HS.  Chapters at SE Polk HS and Indianola HS are under development.  There are currently no middle school chapters in IA.

Here is a link that will take you to the Best Buddies website.

Click here: Donate $50 or more and receive a free T-shirt! - Best Buddies International

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Group members Michelle and McKenna O'Mera made the cover of Kids Directory for the month of December as part of a feature article about the Songs and Signs musical program. Some group members are attending the music classes as part of typical peers class, while others are attending an Up With down specific class.. This is a free publication available at various locations around central Iowa, with information about local events, and activities for children. To learn more about Songs and Signs, contact Megan Christofferson. For more about the Kids Directory, go to yheir web site http://www.dsmkidsdirectory.com/.

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You’re invited …

FRIENDS BUDDY CRUISE

FRIENDS-Support, a Florida based Down syndrome support group will be hosting the first ever cruise to raise awareness for Down syndrome. We are teaming up with Royal Caribbean for an exciting 3 night cruise to the Bahamas! We would love for you to join us on this one of a kind adventure.

Sail date:         October 17, 2008

Ship:                  Royal Caribbean’s ~Sovereign of the Seas

Itinerary:        Port Canaveral Fl

 Nassau Bahamas

Coco Cay Royal Caribbean’s private island

Port Canaveral

*** Passports are needed for this cruise.

There is plenty of activities for the whole family and even care for children 3 and up so parents can have some Mom and Dad time.

For more information, details, or to reserve please click on the following link: http://www.cruisesforu.com/ccs/20857

Still have questions? Feel free to e-mail: joinus@buddycruise.com

We look forward to meeting you and your families.

Pamela Arnoldson

Theresa Mastella

Directors/ FRIENDS-Support

DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES And
PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO WEST
Los Angeles California.
The Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) and Performing Arts Studio West (PASW) are pleased to announce actor Nicholas Weiland, born with Down syndrome, will be guest starring on the 300th Episode of the Emmy Award winning drama "ER" on Thursday, December 6th on NBC. Nicholas plays Lowell, who was given up at birth by his father,  played by Peter Fonda. Now, with the help of the doctors in the ER he is given the chance to reunite with the father he never knew. "ER"  Executive producer David Zabel says that this young actor "broke everybody's heart" at the episode run-through and that "[Nicholas] was just fantastic."

Like many adult and child actors with Down syndrome, Nicholas has been
training, taking his career very seriously. His first role was in 1994 in the television film "Children of the Dark." He has attended PASW since October 2006. PASW is a day program in Inglewood, California for adults with developmental disabilities who want to pursue a career in the performing arts and media/entertainment. Nicholas will also appear on the  December 10th episode of TNT's "Saving Grace" as Georgie, along with several actors who have Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.

Nicholas is part of a talented group of actors with Down syndrome who have
been working in the industry for some time. Chris Burke, a series regular on the 1989-1993 television show "Life Goes On" first broke down barriers and showed the industry the abilities of actors with Down syndrome in prime time when he played the Thatcher's son Corky. Andrea Friedman who played Corky's love interest in the 90's has since been nominated for an Emmy for her guest star work on "Law and Order: SVU."
Jason Kingsley first counted with Kermit on "Sesame Street" in the early 80's and went on to guest star on episodes of "Fall Guy" and "Touched by an Angel." Blair 
Williamson who also had a role on "ER" in the late 90"s has since been brutally 
murdered on "CSI" and received a nose job on "Nip/Tuck."

Parents say that drama training and employment opportunities in the entertainment industry provide life skills that go with their children into all aspects of their lives, both as children and adults. Many programs are growing across the U.S. providing training in the entertainment arts to children and adults with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.

Television and film that portrays individuals with Down syndrome and other  developmental disabilities provides a role model of inclusion to society making it a better world for individuals with disabilities.

In response to producers' calls for talent received by the Down Syndrome
Association of Los Angeles, they have started a casting liaison service Heart & Halo Talent that includes children and adults with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities across the U.S. and Canada.

 Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles: http://www.dsala.org/

 Heart & Halo Talent: http://www.dsala.org/hh_talent.htm

 Performing Arts Studio West: http://www.pastudiowest.com/

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“The Child King”, a holiday feature motion picture starring Peter Johnson, a teenage actor born with Down syndrome, has been released on DVD.   The movie will be sold exclusively via the Internet at www.thechildking.com

“The Child King” tells the story of Jeremy West (Johnson) who takes his skeptical younger brother, Jarret, on a magical journey to the North Pole to prove Santa Claus is real.   The film has been lauded as “inspirational” by Special Olympics International, “heartwarming” by Best Buddies International and “a new holiday classic” by the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles.

Additionally, the picture has been endorsed by Exceptional Parent Magazine and the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media which evaluates and approves programs for families based on appeal, content and developmental benefits.  

“The Child King” features a holiday soundtrack with popular recording artists such as Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Jessica Simpson, Randy Travis and Vince Gill.

All producer’s profits from DVD sales are being donated to the non-profit Child King Foundation.  The foundation administers funds and disburses grants to organizations, charities and individuals that assist those with intellectual disabilities.  

 For more information visit www.thechildking.com or www.childkingfoundation.org.