May 16, 2007...2:43 pm
CdLS Awareness Day: A time to come together
CdLS Awareness Day was celebrated around the country this past Saturday. From California to Maine to Florida, families set up CdLS displays outside stores, hung fliers in coffee shops and did a range of activities to spread awareness of CdLS. One dad even set up a DVD player on the counter of the busy gas station where he works and played the Find One Child video over and over.
Here in Connecticut, we held our first-ever Awareness Day Picnic. More than 120 friends and families from New England and New York gathered at a local park on the picture-perfect spring day. US Rep. Chris Murphy, who has been a champion for people with disabilities at the state level and is serving his first term in Congress, stopped by to say hello and meet some of his constituents.
For some families, the gathering was their very first encounter with other children with CdLS. From my perspective, it was amazing to watch their comfort level change throughout the day from nervous and scared, to relaxed and laughing. That’s what the Foundation is all about – bringing families together so they know they are never alone. And it’s so gratifying to see that in action.—MM
PS – Be sure to check out some of the great news articles featuring families and CdLS Awareness Day.
US Rep. Chris Murphy with Mary Beth Bruder of UCONN (center) and Julie Mairano, the Foundation’s executive director, at the Awareness Day picnic in Connecticut.
Foundation staffers (l-r) me, Janette and Lynn at the CT picnic. (And no, we did not plan to dress alike.)
Enjoying the playground at the CT picnic.
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