Lilly’s Voice Inc, is a nonprofit that provides communication devices (AAC) to children in need.
Launched by two cousins in 2021, Lilly’s Voice Inc has provided more than 290 AAC devices to nonspeaking (or limitedly speaking) children, in addition to providing training and support for their parents and caregivers. Communication is a human right that has been denied to many. Lilly’s Voice is on a mission to help as many children as possible, as quickly as possible, because everyone deserves a Voice!!!
More information and background: www.LillysVoice.org
Follow Lilly's Voice on Facebook and Instagram
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March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day and there are so many practical and fun ways to spread awareness! Here are some of my favorites:
1. Invite your friends to watch the new movie Champions (releases on March 10th)
2. Give your child's teacher fun and informative handouts and coloring pages all about Down syndrome. Get them for FREE here.
3. Ask your child's class or your local library if you can come and read aloud a book like Eli, Included.
4. Donate to an organization like Global Down Syndrome Foundation or Ruby's Rainbow or DSDN and then share on social media and encourage your friends to do so.
5. Wear a fun shirt that will start conversations.
6. Drop off current, up to date, factual pamphlets at your doctors offices. You can get fantastic ones from Lettercase.
7. Advocate at work - ask your employer to hire someone with Down syndrome. This is a fantastic link to give to your employer full of great information.
8. Support a business owned by an individual with Down syndrome or businesses that hire people with Down syndrome. Here are just a couple: Howdy's Homemade Ice Cream, Bitty and Beau's Coffee
Hopefully one day soon, awareness will no longer be needed because we will have acceptance and celebration! Now go shout their worth!
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The mission of the Black Down Syndrome Association (BDSA) is to connect Black families in the Down Syndrome community with resources to improve their lives in a more meaningful way by addressing the many inequalities present that increase barriers to access, support, and education. We strive to fill the gap for the families we serve.
#advocatemothersunite
I've carefully selected small shops that are owned by an individual with a disability, or sell inclusive toys or other products that somehow support individuals with a disability. I hope you love them as much as I do!
Happy Shopping!
1. The Butterfly Pig
The Butterfly Pig is a woman and nurse-owned business focusing on promoting inclusion, diversity, and self-love through play. With a large selection of diverse dolls, The Butterfly Pig also designs and creates medical devices for dolls and stuffed animals to match children and bring more representation to the toy world!
2. The Spotlight Project
The Spotlight Project is a bracelet company that employs individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability. Our goal is to raise employment for people in this population while shining a light on their talents. Our hope is that by placing people with disabilities at the forefront of our brand, that we may inspire other companies to do the same.
3. Sandal Gap Studio
Sandal Gap Studio exists to share the beauty of inclusivity through art. We intentionally expose society to the disability community in a comfortable environment where art is used as the common language among the verbal and non-verbal.
Born from two sisters’ combined passions - one for art and the other for inclusion. It all started with a simple, yet powerful dream. Our daughter, Ace, made a request - let’s create a place where people of all abilities can come together in complete unity. A place where everyone is equal. A place where questions could be asked and people can get comfortable with different. As you can guess, we were all on board! Our daughter, Sevy Marie, is a fifteen year old internationally collected artist with Down syndrome. Her art journey is really how all of this began. Through Sevy’s art, our eyes were opened to the power of art as a vehicle for unity, inclusion and equality.
Put simply, we are a non-profit organization that promotes inclusion through art. We’re an art studio for artists of all abilities. A place where people can come together and build life-changing relationships.
4. So Happy To Learn Annual Subscription
So Happy to Learn is a unique and innovative learning program. Mrs.Brown shares her curriculum and wisdom so on line families can teach their learners to become readers, writers, artist, understand math but most of all become the happy and capable learners they are meant to be!
5. Littlest Warrior
Your's Truly :) The inspiration behind my shop is my son Eli who has Down syndrome. We donate 10% of sales each month to a family adopting a child with a disability, to a family in need of help with medical bills, or to a foundation. We have embroidered patches, stickers and Advocate Like a Mother enamel pins that make great stocking stuffers! Our tees, mugs, hats, posters and totes all make awesome gifts. And don't forget about Eli, Included. A children's book to teach typical kids about Down syndrome.
From Ruby’s Mom:
Ruby was born 17 weeks premature and after her traumatic birth Ruby was diagnosed with HIE. She suffered severe global brain damage and now has a several diagnoses including quadriplegic cerebral palsy, developmental, cognitive delays, visual impairment, G-tube and a tracheostomy.
Due to her severe brain injury Ruby legs grew into a split position. Doctor Henry Chambers orthopedic surgeon at Radys Children stated that in his 24 years of medicine he had only seen one other case like hers and in August of 2020 he performed a successful surgery that was able to bring Ruby’s legs down. We as a family refuse to let all these diagnoses limit her. We will continue to advocate and move mountains for her.
About Bailey Built from owner Tyler Bailey:
I first met, my wife, Dara while she was attending college. Life with a disability, different challenges, wheelchairs, and the struggle for proper healthcare was all new to me. As time went on, SMA brought new struggles and obstacles. Despite these never-ending challenges, she pushed. Her strength and stamina are what draw me to her. Her passion for life is infectious and encouraged me to find new ways to help enable her to do anything she wanted. We built gizmos, gadgets, and eventually full-on wheelchairs. I will never stop doing whatever it takes to make sure she has the same shot at anything as someone without SMA.
We have been together for 10 years. We now own and operate a custom wheelchair fabricating shop. We have been able to build custom power wheelchairs for all kinds of different people all over the world. Most would attribute our shop’s success to my fabrication skills, the machinery, equipment, and technology used. I, however, do not. Its because of her. She’s the reason. She will never stop and never give up. So, neither will I.
#HIE #SMA #baileybuilt #littlestwarriordonates #advocatelikeamother
Love Me Love My Face is a foundation dedicated to raising awareness of Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) & Craniofacial Conditions, supporting families & educating individuals & the public, funding surgeries & equipment & providing emotional support to those effected.
#lovemelovemyface
Patti + Ricky is the Adaptive Fashion Marketplace for adults and kids with disabilities, chronic conditions, patients, seniors, and caregivers.Shopping does not typically include or embrace differences and individuals with disabilities. Patti + Ricky changes this with an inclusive shopping experience for all.
Allison loves all things kitchen! She strives to make the very BEST homemade dog treats. Her recipes include only natural human grade ingredients. Allison was born with Down syndrome and Tracheoesophogeal Fistula (TEF, which is when the breathing tube and eating tube are not formed correctly). Doggy Delights is a perfect business for Allison because she spends time in the kitchen mixing up her own treat recipes. She knows how important healthy food is for both people and pets. Her treats are sold frozen or freeze dried so no preservatives are needed. Promoting her business and selling the treats gets her out into the community meeting people and their dogs. She is an entrepreneur with Down syndrome, but she just wants you to know her as the best dog treat chef ever!
Happy November!
This month we are donating 10% of sales to Ekisa Ministries
#littlestwarriordonates
Ekisa Ministries supports children with disabilities in Uganda so they can thrive in families and communities. We envision a world where every child grows up in a family, celebrated and loved, no matter his or her disability.