Sam's Holiday Traditions

This February we introduced one of our friends Sam Rogers, who had won the Northman award at his high school, Shawnee Mission North. Fast forward to today, and Sam has moved on to even more fun and exciting achievements in his life since his high school graduation. Though he misses SMN and the wonderful, accepting atmosphere there, he has begun a new chapter of education at the Shawnee Mission Post-High Transition Program which is based out of the Shawnee Mission South High School.

Sam joined SM’s 3 year post-transition program which focuses on a variety of subjects all geared toward independent living, from keeping a checkbook to practicing professional writing. He also works at the Chuck E. Cheese every afternoon through the program to gain valuable work experience. He is eligible to attend this amazing post-high program for 3 years till he graduates at 21.

But that’s not all Sam has been up to! He is also attending Johnson County Community College’s CLEAR program. The College Learning Experiences, Activities and Resources, or CLEAR, is a program that provides adults with developmental disabilities experiences in continuing education in several different 7-week courses of their choice. At JCCC, Sam took a class on decision making and problem solving and a class on financial management. About his classes, Sam said,”I like going to JCCC and taking college classes. They are the best!!  I get to see other friends that went to other high schools at college.”

When Sam isn’t in class, he participates with the Down Syndrome Guild’s adult group, where he can attend activities and events with the friends he’s made over the years. He also still loves attending SM North football and basketball games with his family!

As much as he loves his programs and classes, Sam is ready for Christmas break! He says he’s looking forward to hanging out with his sister and brother-in-law, Jennifer and Brock, every day during break since they are both teachers and won’t be in session. One of the holiday traditions Sam loves is making pumpkin flavored puppy chow and bringing it to his granny’s every Christmas Eve. Sam and his family also have fun watching Christmas movies every year as well as doing their advent calendars to countdown the days till Christmas. This year, they have two; one on their fridge and one with treats for their dogs!

Christmas is one of Sam’s favorite times of the years. “I love everything about Christmas, all the decorations and driving around looking at Christmas lights on people's houses. This year I helped Mom put up a small tree in my room with Marvel and Star Wars ornaments on it!! I love it. I also have a [Shawnee Mission] North tree too that is red and black.  I also helped her put up our big tree and helped put ornaments on it too.”

We’re so happy to have an awesome kid like Sam as part of our family at FDFDS, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for him!

In Honor of #WorldDownSyndrome Day, Pass Along These Myths and Facts about #DownSyndrome

We want to take a moment, actually an entire day, to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day! We're a little early. The big day is tomorrow, and we want to share our excitement with you.

How will YOU celebrate World Down Syndrome Day tomorrow? Ditch the myths. Squeeze the loved ones in your life who have DS. Celebrate them! That’s what today is for :)

Down Syndrome Awareness. Beyond raising money for the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City and Children’s Mercy Hospital, we want to start changing the way people see #DownSyndrome. 

If you're reading this you've probably heard and rejected Down Syndrome myths a million times, but that's exactly why it's up to wonderful people like you to spread the word, to raise awareness about what #DownSyndrome actually means.

So, let's get started!

For a while now we have been tweeting and retweeting Down Syndrome Myths and Facts, and today is the perfect day to get them all in one place.

So tweet, share, and love on these little lovely reminders about Down Syndrome.

Myth: People with #DownSyndrome are always happy.

Fact: People with #DS have a wide range of emotions like everyone else. They're hurt by unkind behavior and respond to positive expressions of friendship.

Myth: People with #DownSyndrome can't have romantic relationships. 

Fact: Many people with #DS date and marry. 

Myth: Adults with #DownSyndrome are unemployable. 

Fact: Adults of all ages with #DS are happily employed. We know many here in Kansas City, alone. :)

Myth: Down Syndrome is a rare disorder.

Fact: #DS is the most commonly occurring genetic disorder.

One last thing, Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

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Our Friend Sam Rogers Takes Northman Crown at Shawnee Mission North

"Mom, I won, I won!  I won Northman!  Best night ever!  I love North!"” Sam reacted when seniors at Shawnee Mission North named him Northman, a coveted title by any high schooler’s standards.

Sam’s mother Kelly Rogers was just as excited when sam called to tell her the news, “I was thrilled and cried when Sam was nominated and was in the top 20 nominated young men.”

When Sam’s friends nominated him, he was so excited, but that only made him want to win more. For Kelly, Sam had already won, “In my eyes, Sam ‘won’ just by being nominated. I was thrilled that the seniors at North thought so much of Sam that they would nominate him and vote for him for Northman.”

Similar to Homecoming or Prom King at other Schools, Northman begins with the Top 20 nominations. Those are narrowed down to 10, the top 3, and finally the winner.

When SMN announced the Top 3 nominees at a basketball game, Sam was ecstatic, and everybody but Sam seemed to know that he had the competition in the bag.

At a school assembly Shawnee Mission North seniors voted Sam to victory as Northman, officially. Sam’s reaction? Pure joy. See for yourself. The moment before Sam was announced the winner his fellow nominees were anticipated his reaction, pointing, looking, etc.

Sam's sister, a teacher, found out about Sam's nomination from the Down Syndrome Guild's Facebook, while she was at school. "I think she screamed! She was so excited!" Kelly remarks.

College life may be around the corner, but Sam is not in a hurry to move on from high school. He’s loved his experience at SMN. Kelly can see why, “He truly loves going to school at North.  The student body there is so accepting of people's differences and always has been.  Sam has really been embraced there by the other students.  There are some of the most amazing, kind,caring and compassionate young people at North. It has really been a joy to experience. It has been a wonderful community for Sam.”

Outside of school he likes to play video games, watch Disney Channel. One of his favorite people in the whole world is his brother in law, Brock. Kelly says, “The two of them play video games and do all kinds of stuff together. He likes to play basketball, play outside, normal kid stuff.”

In the future Sam plans to attend a technical school that provides job skills and life skills. He’ll be eligible until he’s 21, so his mother plans for him to study there until then. Sam’s looking forward to going to college after that, but for now he’s enjoying his reign as Northman.

Congrats Sam!

Congrats Sam!

Save the Date, 12th Annual Wine Tasting & Auction Underway

We laughed. We auctioned. We drank wine last year at the 11th Annual Wine Auction at Shook Hardy & Bacon, one of our best years yet. In April, we plan to have all the fun, see some new faces, and enjoy wine once again.

Some of our favorite moments from last year.

Chris and Carissa were dressed to the nines. 

Everyone wanted a photo op.

Dean & Deluca catered, and we ate every last bite. 

We laughed. 

We saw some friendly faces and learned about their loved ones. 

Thanks to the support of the First Downs for Down Syndrome Community and the Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City, we enjoyed a simply incredible evening. We were also able to raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City and for the annual prom.

Save the Date now.
Thursday April 16, 2015. 6-9pm
Shook, Hardy, & Bacon Law Firm
2555 Grand

If you attended the Annual Wine Auction last year, then you know you won't want to miss it this April. If you've never been able to make it, 2015 is your year to join the Kansas City City Chiefs and hundreds of your favorite Kansas City friends of the Down Syndrome community.

For tickets and a list of the wonderful sponsors who make this happen, go here.

Cheers, and see you in April!

Holiday Concert Series Featuring Oleta Adams, Chris Mann & The Kansas City Symphony

It's that time of year again: baking cookies, buying gifts, and throwing parties are just a small bunch of activities on your to-do list this season. Take a break from all the hard work the holidays can bring to just relax and celebrate the season. The Kauffman Center and First Downs for Down Syndrome bring you one such event to get you in the holiday spirit.


Known for his success on The Voice, Chris Mann will work his vocal magic at the 4th Annual Holiday Concert Series. Along with Mann, soulful vocalist Oleta Adams will come together with the Kansas City Symphony tonight to perform Holiday classics in honor of First Downs for Down Syndrome. Don't miss this unique combination of artists in support of a worthy cause.

See you tonight, and Happy Holidays!

Candid KC Photo Booth Works Their Magic at Arrowhead with First Downs

Thanks to you guys last Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium brought in thousands of people from around Kansas and Missouri. We raised over $400,000 and we spread Down Syndrome Awareness and love all day long. Complete with face paint, a moon bounce, plenty of food and KC Wolf the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk was one of our most successful and fun events yet.

We could not have hosted such a uniquely different event without all of you, the loving supporters of Down Syndrome. To see all our candids from the event, see the full Step Up for Down Syndrome album on our Facebook.

Our friends from Candid KC Photo Booth also did their thing as they do at a prop filled photo booth. Kids, families, and just plain adults all wanted in on the photo booth action. How could you not? Candid KC supplied oversized sunglasses, signs, mustaches and even a crown (#TakeTheCrown) for everyone getting their photo-op to hold up! The photos? Hilarious, adorable, worth a thousand + words.

Like them on Facebook to tag you and your friends in their photos. Even book 'em for your next event! Their enthusiasm and plain silliness makes every event special, but don't take it from us; the prints don't lie!

To check out all the photos and click here, and don't forget to like them on Facebook!
We are already ready for our close-up again, Candid KC Photo Booth! Thank you for coming out and supporting First Downs!