THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 4, 1995 TAG: 9506020212
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
There's something pediatricians, speech therapists, physical therapists, school bus drivers, school nurses, special education teachers, administrators and cardiologists have in common.
They all work with children who have Down syndrome.
To honor their involvement, the Tidewater Down Syndrome Association held a reception recently at Regent University's skylit library atrium. The association honors such people, said vice president Mary Wilt, because they go ``above and beyond anything we should expect of them.''
``We want them to know we really appreciate what they do,'' Wilt said.
A large poster she designed greeted guests entering the reception. It was a drawing of an extra chromosome, along with the catchy phrase ``Friends Don't Count Chromosomes.'' Wilt made the poster after a brainstorming session with other association members.
``People usually say `Oh, those poor kids,' '' said Wilt. ``We don't want people to pity them.''
A new video slide show produced by the association was the highlight of the night. Association president Joan Blind introduced the video as members and guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
``This brand new video features our children, who are always unpredictable but always beautiful in our eyes,'' she said as the tape rolled. Elton John's song ``You Will Always Be Beautiful in My Eyes`` played as background music to the pictures of Down syndrome children at home, at school and at play. Several people wiped away tears or sniffled while watching.
``As you can tell, we're real proud of our children,'' Blind said as the tape ended and everyone applauded. More than 200 people attended the event, which grows larger every year. Speech pathologist Marlayne Castelluzzo, who works at Glenwood Elementary, said that the Professional Appreciation Night is very important for people like her.
``This is unprecedented, for a group to honor professionals across the board,'' said Castelluzzo. ``When you work with children who have Down syndrome, one professional doesn't take notoriety over another. It's a team effort. We really feel honored by this.'' MEMO: The Tidewater Down Syndrome Association meets on the third Thursday of
every month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Neuro-developmental Center at
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk. For more
information on the group, call 479-3713.
by CNB