COVID-19 restrictions forced a subdued first-anniversary celebration for the Vancouver Island Down Syndrome Society (VIDSS) on Nov. 3, 2020.

The founding members of the fledgling Comox Valley-based non-profit society are hopeful the new year brings with it an expansion of the groupB次元官网网址檚 reach.

B次元官网网址淚t started with the three of us mothers. We had a vision that we wanted to facilitate more support for families on the Island,B次元官网网址� said Michelle Hicker, the president and co-founder of VIDSS. B次元官网网址淲e are kind of a point of contact for anybody with a child or a newborn baby with Down syndrome. Even if itB次元官网网址檚 a pre-natal diagnosisB次元官网网址� where do they go for information? Who can they look for, for support? ThatB次元官网网址檚 where we come in.B次元官网网址�

The founding board team consists of Hicker, Natasha Newton (secretary), and Jessica Darroch (treasurer).

The board is hoping to expand the VIDSS reach across Vancouver Island, and is in search of directors in other communities - particularly Duncan, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Campbell River, and the North Island. Anyone interested in becoming involved in such a capacity is asked to email the society at info@vidss.ca

B次元官网网址淚 figure if we go Island-wide, we would have a little more clout than if we just stay in the Comox Valley,B次元官网网址� said Hicker. B次元官网网址淏ecause the lack of support for families is not just a local issue. There is a lack of support everywhere on the Island.B次元官网网址�

The objectives of VIDSS include peer support for parents and caregivers, as well as developing support services, projects, educational and employment opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

Long-term goals include addressing the shortcomings in the education system for students with Down syndrome. Hicker recognized a gap in the system when speaking to a life skills program teacher at Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School in Courtenay.

B次元官网网址淚 had asked her what I could do to prepare my son, Danny, for the program, and she said one of the biggest challenges that she has is that the kids coming from elementary school are not prepared for that program,B次元官网网址� said Hicker. B次元官网网址淭hey arenB次元官网网址檛 at that particular level of learning yet, and I am seeing that with Danny now - behaviour-wise, academic-wise, pretty much everything.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the developments we would like to see is to start that life skills program at a much younger age. Our goal is to have a life skills program in at least one elementary school in every district on the Island.B次元官网网址�

Hicker said they were just getting things rolling when COVID put a halt to the societyB次元官网网址檚 progression.

B次元官网网址淲e had our first fundraiser, a spring plant sale, in March (of 2020),B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淸It was] an extremely successful event with orders from as far south as Nanaimo and north to Port McNeill.B次元官网网址�

Shortly thereafter, COVID restrictions kicked in.

B次元官网网址淲e had several events organized in the summer and fall, however then COVID reared its ugly head and needless to say, some of the events never actually made it to fruition,B次元官网网址� said Hicker.

Fortunately, the plant sale was an order process, with delivery to homes, meaning the same fundraiser can take place this year.

B次元官网网址淲e intend to hold another spring plant fundraiser this year with the hopes of reaching even more communities on the Island,B次元官网网址� said Hicker.

The plants include hanging baskets, succulents, tomato starters, vegetable trays, and other items for the garden. For more information about the spring plant sale, go to

The pandemic has created a slew of other challenges.

B次元官网网址淚t has been challenging to maintain important social and sports activities for our special needs groups (Island-wide),B次元官网网址� said Hicker. B次元官网网址淭here is less, and in some cases, no support available now for our Down syndrome community with many facilities shutting their doors.

B次元官网网址淔or some groups it is vital to maintain some level of continuity of service (while adhering to COVID safety protocols), such as one-on-one coaching at recreation facilities. When services return in full, priority should be put on re-establishing access to community-based supports that are developmentally beneficial and necessary for the special needs community.B次元官网网址�

There are 45,000 Canadians living with Down syndrome, according to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.

For more information, or for membership with the Vancouver Island Down Syndrome Society, visit or check out the societyB次元官网网址檚

terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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