John Davies
Avocado Egg Rolls- Virtual Cooking Class

Ingredients: 1 1/2 California Avocados, diced 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 1/4 cup red onion, diced 2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, diced 1/2 lime, juiced 1/2 tsp Kosher salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/8 tsp garlic powder 4 full-size egg roll wrappers canola oil spray Avocado Dip Ingredients (optional!): 2 Tbsp light sour […]
Advocacy Alert: Take Action

TAKE ACTION ACTION ALERT: ASK CONGRESS TO FULLY FUND THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), originally passed in 1975, guarantees all students with disabilities the right to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Along with the rights to students and families conferred by IDEA, […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Julie
Board Spotlight – Meet Shelby

Hello everyone! My name is Shelby Young. I was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky along with my two sisters Lauren and Bailee who both happen to have Down Syndrome. I am the middle child, so I had a unique experience growing up and had the opportunity to see how services and supportive opportunities for those […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Sarah

I was born and raised in Louisville with my 2 older brothers (Jason and Josh – yes I am the baby and the only girl). My father was a Home Builder and my Mother was a Registered Nurse and homemaker. I attended St. Bartholomew for elementary and middle school. Graduated with Honors from Assumptions High […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Wes
Board Spotlight – Meet Laura
Board Spotlight – Meet Darla

My first connection with DSL was 20 years ago when my daughter Ellie was born. At that time, DSL was very small, operating in a tiny office. Our first Buddy Walk there was about 150 people present. We watched DSL grow into the renovated old house on Bardstown Road and now to our beautiful campus. […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Eric

Work: Insuramax, Insurance Agent/Partner From: Louisville High School: Ballard (1999 State Soccer Champions and Ranked #1 in the country) College: University of Kentucky Hobbies: Golf, Tennis, Family, Soccer Community: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Wesley Manor, Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky, and YPAL. Wife: Lindsay Family: Harper (11), Molly Frances (8) and Wells (6) Dog: Annie […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Jayme

Everyday is a gift and no matter the situation you have the power to brighten someone’s days with a simple smile and hello. Jayme Perez has been in sales and marketing for over 20 years. She has a digital marketing background previously working for major newspaper companies and TV stations. Jayme is currently a Sponsorship Sales […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Harish

Came to U.S. for Graduate studies from India fifty years ago Worked at AT&T Bell Labs in Atlanta in the field of Optical Fiber Reliability for 26 years Taught MBA and DBA at Argosy University for 16 years Our daughter Priya encouraged us to move to Louisville and introduced us to DSL After visiting […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Chris

I am currently running a healthcare RCM company that provides services to Federally Qualified Health Centers and Behavioral Health organizations. Many of our clients are serving underserved communities and almost all are non-profit organizations. I have been married to my wife Ange for 29 years this coming February. We have 2 sons Conner (25) and Evan […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Matthew

DSL Board Treasurer Born and raised in Louisville (PRP area) 6 siblings 3 Brothers (Sean, Jason, Mark) 3 Sisters (Andrea, Elizabeth, Rose) Elizabeth passed away in August 2017 9 nieces & nephews Eagle Scout Butler High School c/o 2011 Ran track & cross-county all 4 years Bellarmine University c/o 2015 Major: Criminal Justice & Sociology […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Susan

I have a 30-year-old son with Down syndrome and have been involved with this group before it was established as Down Syndrome of Louisville. Back then all we had was Jean Bryson and the Early Intervention Program which served individuals with Ds from birth to 5 years of age. Jefferson County provided her with a […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Danny

DSL Board President “Everything will come. It will come slowly, but it will come fully.” – Steve Swan, September 2015. I’m from Frankfort, Madisonville, and Louisville, Kentucky. I’m also from Boston, MA. I was born or grew up in some way in each of those places. But I really finished growing up when I met […]
Board Spotlight – Meet Ed

DSL Board President Spouse: Susan , Children: Katherine & David Virgo – 6th sign of the zodiac. “Virgos, more than any other zodiac sign, were born to serve, and it gives them (me) great joy. They are also tailor-made for the job since common Virgo traits are being industrious, methodical, and efficient. The sense of […]
Roasted Grape Crostini

DSL Chef Level: Easy (stove or air fryer) Ingredients: The Roasted Grapes 3 cups seedless red grapes washed 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil plus more as needed 1/4 tsp kosher salt plus more for serving 2 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary The Crostini 2 slices sourdough bread or hearty bread of your choosing 1/2 cup […]
Chicken Divan- Virtual Cooking Class

DSL Chef Level: Intermediate (stove) Ingredients: 3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (canned is fine!) 2 bags of frozen broccoli (fresh is fine!) 8oz chicken broth 2 cans cream of chicken soup Shredded cheese ⅔ cup mayo ½ stick butter Box of stovetop savory herb stuffing Directions: Preheat oven to 350 Shred chicken and set […]
One Pan Peanut Chicken- Virtual Cooking Class

DSL Chef Level: Intermediate (Oven and stove) Ingredients: 8oz gnocchi 2lbs skinless chicken thighs or breasts thinly sliced 4 tbsp honey 4 tbsp vegetable oil 4 tbsp Thai green curry paste (add little at a time, all curries are different) 4 tbsp peanut butter 1 tsp salt 2 heads of broccoli, cut into florets 1 […]
Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps- Virtual Cooking Class

DSL Chef Level: Easy 4 large tortillas 8 oz. deli sliced chicken breast 8 strips thick cut bacon, cooked crisp 2 cups lettuce leaves 1/2 cup diced tomatoes 4 tbsp ranch dressing Avocado Instructions Lay tortilla out on plate, top with 1/2 cup lettuce leaves in center of tortilla. Top with 2 tbsp diced tomatoes, […]
May Super Supporter – Susan Hovekamp

We want to say a BIG thank you to Susan Hovekamp for sharing her time and talents with us by teaching yoga at almost all of member programming! Susan regularly teaches yoga to our School-Age members at Saturday School and has served our ADA community and Teen Club by teaching virtually and in-person on […]
A Few Career Solutions Highlights from 2022

We are so proud of our Career Solutions Team who work tirelessly to find new employment opportunities for our members and provide support and encouragement to those already out working in our community! Check out a few of their success highlights below: Jonathan Boiney, who has worked for the La Grange Police Department since 2017, was […]
Pop-Up Programming Success

With the generous support of the NASCAR Foundation, Down Syndrome of Louisville began providing Pop-Up Programming in areas around Louisville in February and it has been a positive experience for all involved. Many of our members cannot make it to our campus for classes due to distance- but they have welcomed having opportunities that they […]
Down Syndrome of Louisville Announces its 30th Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament

Nonprofit to host unFOREgettable event on June 12-13 to benefit its mission Presented by Zoeller Pump Company Louisville, Ky. (May 9, 2022) – Down Syndrome of Louisville (DSL) will host its 30th annual Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament, presented by Zoeller Pump Company, on June 12-13 at Audubon Country Club. All funds raised from the event will […]
DSL’s Own David DeSanctis in Hallmark Movie Out June 12

Hallmark to Debut Romance Centered on Lead Character With Down Syndrome (Exclusive) By Philiana Ng 10:56 AM PDT, April 13, 2022 Link to original article Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will premiere a new romance centered on a lead character with Down syndrome, ET can exclusively reveal. Color My World With Love, which recently wrapped production, follows […]
DSL Members Selected to Participate in Kentucky Derby Festival Fashion Show

Down Syndrome of Louisville Members Selected to Participate in Kentucky Derby Festival Spring Fashion Show Bridget Matsen and Madeline Franklin will be walking the runway on Thursday, March 31 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 30, 2022) – Two Down Syndrome of Louisville members will participate in the 2022 Kentucky Derby Festival (KDF) Spring Fashion Show Presented by Macy’s […]
WDSD Spotlights – Meet some of our ADA Members
WDSD Spotlight – Meet Jenny
WDSD Spotlight – Meet Addison

Addison is a 16-year-old 8th grader at Christian Academy of Louisville where he plays percussion in their Marching Band and runs on the Track Team! He loves ALL kinds of music from Fred Astaire & Broadway to 80’s rock and Skillet! When not competing in Marching Band Competitions or Track Meets, you might find […]