Hey ya’ll!! I’ve got a great set of foam climbing blocks for anyone who wants them…first call first serve. The set I have is the “3 piece builder set”

http://www.baplaysets.com/shopping/itemdetailcategory.asp?itemID=CF710-109&itemTable=ChildrensFactory

It was great for Riley when he was trying to learn to crawl up stairs, walk up stairs, etc.

I also have a weighted vest. We never used the weights, just the pressure.

Riley has out grown these things and more and wants his friends at DSGO to benefit from them as he did.

If you want them call me 417-732-4424, 417-300-3686 or email me at mindy @onestringer.com

I’ll bring them to you if you want.

I’ve got a bunch of other stuff too, so if you are looking for anything let me know…

Our second annual Family Picnic will be held on Saturday, May 3rd at 11:30am at Phelps Grove Park in Springfield. Great food, fun prizes, and a live band! There will be amazing raffle prizes too. The picnic will mainly be held under the pavillion but in case of severe weather, the location will be change to the ARC of the Ozarks which is located on Pythian, next to DCO (Developmental Center of the Ozarks).

Stop by the Walmart in Branson West on Saturday, April 5th and help support DSGO! There will be lots of great homemade treats for sale. Come early, before they’re all gone!

Save the date! Our annual Family Picnic will be held at Phelps Grove Park on Saturday, May 3rd, from 11:30am - 2:30pm. We will have lots of food and a live bluegrass band! Plus, we have AMAZING raffle prizes! Come join the fun!

We were inspired by the new hit tv show, “Oprah’s Big Give”, which airs on Sunday nights at 7pm on KSPR Springfield 33. It is a great show where contestants compete to help change lives around the country. They hold fund raisers and reach out to everyday Americans to make their lives better.

So, we are having a Big Give viewing party on the night of the final episode (Sunday, April 20th, 6:30pm, at Logan’s Roadhouse in Springfield). Please join us for dinner and fun! Invite your friends, family, co-workers, therapists, teachers, etc! We are asking each family to donate $10. The cost of dinner is on your own, but the fun is free! Help support DSGO!

We are currently talking to some area businesses about getting corporate donations as well and we hope to have some media coverage. You might be on TV! Plus, we have registered this event online at oprah.com and they are picking some parties to feature on the Oprah show. Wouldn’t that be great???

Mark your calendars and email Elena to RSVP (Please let me know how many are coming, so that we can save you a good viewing spot!).

Come and join the BIG GIVE!!!

(p.s. if you’d like to help out or RSVP for this event, please contact me by April 15th: elena@thaemlitz.com)

It came up at the March board meeting that there is some interest in Targeted Nutritional Intervention, Nutriven-D and Dr. Leichtman. My son Joseph, now 8, has used Nutrivene-D and has seen Dr. Leichtman. I have also heard him speak about the metabolic differences in individuals with DS. I can answer some of your questions or refer you to sources where you can get more information.

FREE NIGHT a respite night for parents with Special Needs Children March 8th from 4-7:30 PM See attached poster for more information.

Free Night Brochure

If you are traveling to St. Louis or Kansas City for medical appointments you can register for travel reimbursement at Children’s Miracle Network. You can also stay over night for free in St. Louis at Haven House www.havenhousestl.org.

Children between the ages of 10 to 17 years may, if they qualify, have the rare opportunity to participate in this pivotal study that will be conducted by Dr. Ralph Richter and his research team. Dr. Richter, a practicing neurologist in Tulsa, is well known nationwide for his vast expertise in the field of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study is scheduled to start enrollment this month. Information can be obtained at Tulsa Clinical Research, phone numbers 877-798-7425 or 918-743-2349.
Ralph W. Richter, M.D., Primary Investigator
Tulsa Clinical Research, LLC – Information

We would like to thank Diana Patten, SPOE Director for region 8. Diana gave us an over view of the Missouri First Steps program along with an explanation of the recent changes that have gone into effect as of January 1, 2008.

As of January 1, 2008 each county within Region 8 has an evaluation team that will evaluate any new child entering the program. The evaluating therapist will now be able to team treat the child if their schedule allows. If their schedule does not allow, then the parent will be able to go to the matrix and choose another therapist. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session regarding the amount of services being given to newborns. Diana assured us that the program is still ‘family driven’ and if the family and the team believe that the child will benefit from a specific therapy then that therapy should be approved.

Thank you again Diana for all the work that you do to provide families a priceless service.