The Road We've Shared

By: Stephanie Holland

This year the annual NDSC convention was held in sunny Phoenix, Arizona.  The 100+ degree weather made things outside of the conference venue a bit sticky, but inside everything was “cool.”  If I had to sum up my own experience this year I would use these three words: collaboration, friendship, and hope.

As you can see from the picture above, our table in the exhibit hall did triple duty this year – Jennifer Smolka was gracious enough to
share her spot for 321 eLearning with The Road and Marianne from Joey’s Ups with Downs. We all w
ork together throughout the year on webinars and the 321 eConference, and at the NDSC gathering we got to work side by side.

Jennifer, Marianne, Mardra, and I got to be all together in person for the first time!

Lots of little people enjoyed the trailer for the animated short film that will be released soon.

Speaking of meeting our online friends in person, two of our regulars here on The Road, Dev from Raise Expectations and Sam’s Top Secret Journal, and Sean, from Who’s The Slow Learner fame met and became friends! We spotted Sean being followed by a professional camera crew. Can’t wait to see what happens with that!

Dev agreed to be our first confirmed speaker for next year’s 321 eConference. She’s going to tell us what happens when she starts college and how she makes the transition from high school. We can’t wait!

Next to us in the exhibit hall there was a commotion. The ladies from IDSC know how to have fun!

I spent most of my time in the exhibit hall, but I did get to attend the Research & Medical Care Round table hosted by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation on Alzheimer’s Disease and Down Syndrome – What Parents and Caregivers Should Know.

Besides all of the collaborating and friends meeting up, there were two events that filled me with hope. The first was the screening of “Ethan’s Law – The Movie.“

Every time I see a new iteration of the film I’m more impressed with Director Edward Rhodes’ work. This version had parts of the interviews with two of the eye witnesses to Ethan’s death. Patti and Rhodes answered questions after the screening and gave the attendees ideas about how to reach out to their own local law enforcement agencies.I truly believe that when this film is ready to be presented to the general public it will not only educate viewers, it will empower them to become agents of change themselves.

The biggest highlight in my opinion came after the opening plenary speech by supermodel Beverly Johnson.

This picture of Marcus and Global spokesperson Beverly Johnson is priceless. You may remember that Ms. Johnson is the only person to publicly discuss the drastic health disparities between Caucasians and people of color who have Down syndrome.Throughout the conference, I used every chance I got to talk about the issue and raise awareness.  This picture represents the hope for the future as we work to find out why these statistics exist and what we can do about changing them.

I’d like to publicly thank the NDSC for all their hard work. Organizing an event this size is not easy – but they make it look like it is. From speakers to volunteers, attendees to exhibitors, we all love the chance to get together and visit once a year.Next year – Orlando, Florida!

And, if you attended the conference and would like to share your experience we’d love to hear from you!