Down Syndrome International
London, UK
Down Syndrome International (DSi) is delighted to belatedly announce the recipients of the 2010 World Down Syndrome Day Awards and we apologise for the considerable delay.
2010 is the first year of the World Down Syndrome Day Awards, which are presented to individuals or organisations whose voluntary, professional or scientific activities have strengthened and enriched the lives of people with Down syndrome or contributed to scientific advancement related to Down syndrome.
This year’s recipients are as follows:
• DR DENNIS MCGUIRE AND DR BRIAN CHICOINE (USA) –
Awarded: World Down Syndrome Day Scientific Awards
Nominated by: Down Syndrome International
Dennis McGuire and Brian Chicoine are the directors of the Adult Down Syndrome Center of Lutheran General Hospital, Illinois, USA, and are co-authors of the widely acclaimed publication “Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome” (Woodbine House Inc. 2006).
Dr McGuire, a trained social worker, and Dr Chicoine, a physician, have led the Center since its opening in 1992, supported by the National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS), Advocate Medical Group and Advocate Lutheran Hospital. Today the Center is open full time and to date has served over 3,000 patients aged 12 to 83, offering primary healthcare, annual evaluations and regular follow-ups for specific medical and psychological issues. Patients visit the Center from across the US and their approach aims to address all the issues that promote physical and mental health in adults with Down syndrome.
• DENISA STŘIHAVKOVÁ (CZECH REPUBLIC) –
Awarded: World Down Syndrome Day Voluntary Award
Nominated by: DownSyndrome CZ, Czech Republic
A 29 year old woman with Down syndrome, Denisa Střihavková is the author of several non-fictional and fictional books and short stories published in the Czech Republic and Europe, including one which has been translated into English. Denisa is very well known to the public in her home country, and is an outstanding advocate for people with Down syndrome.
• JIŘÍ ŠEDÝ (CZECH REPUBLIC) –
Awarded: World Down Syndrome Day Voluntary Award
Nominated by: DownSyndrome CZ, Czech Republic
A young man with Down syndrome, Jiří Šedý is the author of several books and is a well known artist in the Czech Republic. Jiří also teaches painting techniques to people with Down syndrome and is an outstanding role model and advocate for people with Down syndrome.
• JAROSLAW PIENIAK (POLAND) –
Awarded: World Down Syndrome Day Voluntary Award
Nominated by: European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA)
Jaroslaw Pieniak is a parent, Co-Founder of Zespoldowna.info, and someone who has done a substantial amount of work in his home town of Wroclaw and throughout Poland to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome, in a relatively short time.
His achievements since 2006, when his son Jan was born, include organising workshops and seminars for parents, therapists and teachers, opening new kindergartens for children with Down syndrome, convincing authorities to accept children with Down syndrome into mainstream kindergartens, contacting parents and organisations throughout Poland, Europe and the world, organising an international conference in 2008, which was the first conference of its kind in Poland, and considerable efforts to raise awareness of Down syndrome through political lobbying and awareness campaigns on TV, radio and other media.
All of this has been achieved in a country where little financial support has been available from government authorities, and negative attitudes have existed towards children and adults with disabilities.
• LAUFCLUB 21 (GERMANY) –
Awarded: World Down Syndrome Day Voluntary Award
Nominated by: European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA)
Laufclub 21 is an inclusive running and sports club for adults with Down syndrome, founded in 2007 and run by Anita Kinle in Fürth, Germany. Anita and her husband were originally inspired by UK runner and DSi Ambassador Simon Beresford, who was the first person with Down syndrome to run the London Marathon.
Laufclub 21 started with 16 athletes and today have trained 30 marathon runners. They offer regular training at many locations in Germany, led by experienced coaches, with training methods designed according to the competency of the individual athletes. They have sprinters, middle distance runners and endurance athletes and can accommodate anyone who is 16 years or older.
They have not only brought a new perspective and self-confidence to a group of young adults with Down syndrome, they have also dramatically changed the popular image of people with Down syndrome in Germany and the achievements of the “marathonis” has attracted substantial media attention.
On World Down Syndrome Day in 2010, Laufclub 21 took on an exceptional challenge when they successfully ran an “ultra” marathon in relay teams along the 156 kilometre (97 mile) boundary of the Berlin Wall. This represented a remarkable achievement and attracted interest and support from the general public in Germany.
• PEETJIE ENGELS (NETHERLANDS) –
Awarded: World Down Syndrome Day Voluntary Award
Nominated by: DownSyndrome CZ, Czech Republic
A young woman with Down syndrome, who drives her own special car among other achievements.
• PABLO PINEDA (SPAIN) –
Awarded: World Down Syndrome Day Voluntary Award
Nominated by: DownSyndrome CZ, Czech Republic
Pablo Pineda is a 35 year old teacher and actor who has Down syndrome. Pablo holds a diploma in teaching and a degree in Educational Psychology, and was the first recorded person with Down syndrome in Europe to obtain a university degree.
Pablo recently played the lead role in the internationally acclaimed film “Yo Tambien”, inspired by his life, in which he plays a university graduate with Down syndrome who falls in love with a colleague. Pablo was awarded the Silver Shell at the 2009 San Sebastián Film Festival for his performance.
Pablo’s passion though is teaching and this is where he sees his career developing in the future.
• YTA STRIKWERDA (NETHERLANDS) –
Awarded: World Down Syndrome Day Voluntary Award
Nominated by: European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA)
Yta Strikwerda is a well known lady from the Netherlands who has Down syndrome. Yta works for an organisation which promotes the self-advocacy of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Being already well known in her field of work, Yta became a national hero when she appeared on television and put a famous and popular Dutch TV personality in his place, telling him how she wanted him to behave while she was appearing as a guest on his show! Yta’s appearance became the Dutch TV moment of the year in 2008, and she appeared on the show again at the end of 2009.
Many people in The Netherlands were impressed by Yta’s determination and she has contributed substantially to raising awareness of Down syndrome in her country.
DSi would like to express our admiration for the remarkable achievements of the Award recipients, who have done so much and continue to help improve the lives of people with Down syndrome and raise awareness of the condition in their own countries and internationally. We are delighted to present these Awards and hope to support their work in any way we can into the future.
DSi will be seeking nominations for the 2011 World Down Syndrome Day Awards shortly and will announce the recipients of Awards on World Down Syndrome Day - 21 March 2011.
