D.A.D.S.
What is D.A.D.S. (Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome)?
Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome, or D.A.D.S., is a committee within DSAGR composed of fathers of children who happen to have Down syndrome. The first chapter of D.A.D.S. was established in 2002 by Joe Meares, the father of a teen daughter with Down syndrome.
The purpose of D.A.D.S. is simple...to assist and support, through fellowship and action, the fathers and families of individuals with Down syndrome.
We hesitate to call ourselves a "support group", even though we do, in many ways, support each other. We prefer to think of D.A.D.S. as an "action group." You won't find us in a church basement drinking warm coffee and whining about having children with Down syndrome. Instead, you'll find us out in the community coaching our kid's sports teams, participating in our children's IEPs, volunteering at local Down syndrome fundraising events, and even sponsoring fundraising events of our own.
We host regular meetings where our members come together to share insights and experiences. Having a child with special needs often affects how we approach those responsibilities. We invite expert speakers to discuss medical, educational, financial, social, and many other issues that affect our children's lives. And of course, we share stories and experiences that are unique to fathers of children with Down syndrome.
Meetings:
Contact:
Sean Ryan, D.A.D.S. Co-Director
