We want to give a BIG shoutout to Ellie Fizer who will soon be heading off to Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC (Myrtle Beach area) to study the Arts, Independent Living, and Job Skills! Camilla, Ellie’s mom, shares, “Coastal Carolina University offers a wonderful program for individuals with special needs called the LIFE program. We are very excited for her to attend… The staff is wonderful and provides the supervision that makes John and me comfortable, but allows Ellie to experience a typical college life. It is a beautiful campus and a wonderful size that Ellie can navigate and be safe.”
Each semester Ellie will take two typical college courses as well as classes to help her independent living and job skills. Ellie says she is most excited about being on her own, going to athletic games, and meeting friends. “Ellie wanted to know if she “had” to come at Christmas – we immediately said YES!!”, Camilla laughed.
Ellie has already attended their four-day orientation and stayed on campus with other freshmen in the program. “She absolutely loved this time to meet her cohort along with her new roommate and dorm mentor,” says mom. Until she heads off on August 12th, Ellie is working on her room decorations and has decided on a grey and white cheetah print theme. Way to go Ellie! We are so proud of and excited for you!
UPDATE: Ellie made it to Coastal Carolina University at the end of August is making her dreams come true! We are so proud of you, Ellie!
DSL Families, We are launching NEW DSL Volunteer Committees and we are excited to have our families participate. Please scroll through these photos to see the new committees forming and if you are interested in any of them fill out the form below. These committees will meet 4-6 times a year (some in-person/Some virtual) but […]
Three members of the Adult Developmental Academy got to go to Frankfort to participate in the Sunny Pages program. They also got to make an informational video about World Down Syndrome Day, and the Rock Your Socks movement. Sam, Joe, and Connor got to be honorary pages on the Senate floor for the day. They […]
A star-studded event was hosted in New York City and it was a night of celebration to raise funds to support the Down syndrome community. This impactful evening will honor trailblazer and Life Goes On actor, Chris Burke, and others who have helped expand representation for our community in film and television. Follow […]
Cameron Fontes DSL Staff—Executive Assistant DSL has been part of my family’s life since my brother Bailey was born in August 2002. I didn’t know what Down syndrome was at the time, I was just irritated that whoever was in charge at the hospital wouldn’t let my brother come home right away. I thought his […]
Dwight Newton Reason for Being Part of DSL: Since I was 9 years old I have had the amazing experience of spending time with and around individuals who help me understand compassion and caring. These are not natural traits of mine. When I was 9 I got introduced to a class at the Stewart Home […]
Jennifer Schinke Kendrick “[She] was not about to leave the game and go over and stand against the wall where a loser would stand. She intended to participate, wherever Mermaids fit into the scheme of things. Without giving up dignity or identity. She took it for granted that there was a place for Mermaids and […]
Chad Hennessey I’m a lifelong Louisvillian (aside from my 4.5 years in Bowling Green attending Western Kentucky University). I’m a proud partner at Insuramax, a locally owned independent insurance agency. I’ve been at Insuramax since August of 2000. My wife Cindy and I are high school sweethearts and will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this […]
Anna started work at Forest Springs Health Campus on February 21st! She has already made an amazing impression on coworkers and management. Anna’s nurturing and caregiving nature will be an asset like no other, and her ability to socialize and make others comfortable is going to offer endless benefits. Want to learn more about DSL’s […]
DSL leadership spent this past week/weekend at the annual Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action Leadership Conference in Dallas! The conference is an opportunity to learn and grow by sharing best practices with other Down Syndrome Associations across the country. DSAIA’s Accreditation program helps organizations achieve excellence in nonprofit management and honors best practices. The DSAIA […]
Please welcome the latest member of the Down Syndrome of Louisville team, Suzanne Johnson! Suzanne joins DSL as a new Academy Teacher. Suzanne was born and raised in Louisville. She is a former elementary school teacher who found DSL at the perfect time in her career. “I couldn’t be happier to be working in such […]
Sacred Heart Academy & Trinity High School Supporting DSL!
Sacred Heart Academy and Trinity High School held their 13th Annual Rock the Heart charity lacrosse game in the fall. This year, both teams chose to raise money for Down Syndrome of Louisville due to personal connections they have with our organization. Morgan Keesaer, who plays for Sacred Heart, has a younger sister who has […]
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