News

March 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Carol Carrithers, Vice President
Marketing and Communications
101 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
502-589-8615, ex. 1209
502-245-5782 (h)
ccarrith@sevencounties.org

March is Developmental Disabilities/
Mental Retardation Month in Louisville
Come help us celebrate the "ability" in developmental disabilities

A calendar of community activities in the Louisville area
coordinated by Seven Counties Services and the Council on Mental Retardation

Pre-Developmental Disabilities
Month events

Down Syndrome of Louisville hosted its 10th Annual Awards and Celebration Night in late February. This event honors an outstanding individual with Down syndrome along with community leaders who promote the mission to provide opportunities for all people with Down syndrome to reach their full potential. The night featured entertainment by Michael Bush and the DSL Allstar Band. Michael is a young man with Down syndrome. Recognized with awards were:

Citizens Award Kristin Stewart
Garry Gupton Community Award Salem United Church, Rev. Doug Fowler
Mary Carter Award Shelly Durbin, Doss High School
Corporate Support Award Camilla Fizer, Advance Ready Mix
Joseph O. Thomas Volunteer Award Dana Greenwell
Employer of the Year UPS and Louisville Diversified
President's Award Dave Monsour, Monsour Builders

Other Activities and Events

Friday, March 10
10 a.m.
Mattingly Center Theatre Shakespeare Festival
At and sponsored by the Mattingly Center, Inc. 1520 Baxter Ave., Louisville.
The Mattingly Center participants will present a production of selected scenes from Shakespearean plays, including: The Merry Wives of Windsor, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew,, and A Midsummer Night's Dreams Free and open to the public. Contact: 451-6200 Carmel Rhodes ext 204 or Donna Tooill ext. 107

Wednesday March 22
6- 10 p.m.,
4th Semi-Annual Girls' Night Out
2006 Spring Fashion Show and Dinner
Avalon, 1314 Bardstown Road
This event is sponsored by Commonwealth Wine and Spirits to benefit Down Syndrome of Louisville, Inc.
The evening includes dinner prepared by Avalon Chef Mat Schalenko, and spring fashions provided by local boutiques, Luna, Blink, Clodhoppers, & Circe. Joseph's Salon will provide hair styling and make-up. 102.3 The Max's Katrina Blair will emcee the event. Door prizes. Proceeds go to Down Syndrome of Louisville's various education and support programs for families. Cost: $45.Reservations required (this event fills up quickly) Contact Avalon (502) 454-5336

Thursday-Friday, March 23-24
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Art Fantasies
St. Mary's Center, 11700 Old Main St., Middletown
A display of art by adults with special needs and local artists sponsored by St. Mary's Center. Refreshments. Free, open to the public.

Thursday, March 23
3-6 p.m.
Open House at Seven Counties Services' Developmental Services Division
3717 Taylorsville Road
Refreshments, audio-visual presentations, and poster sessions available throughout the building, with special appreciations presented at 5 p.m. to parent leaders/advocates.

6:30 p.m.
Milton Tyree, from the University of Kentucky's Human Development Institute, will present "Guides to Successful Community Employment"
Down Syndrome of Louisville's Life Long Learning Center, 4604 Bardstown Road, Louisville
Sponsored by Down Syndrome of Louisville, Inc. Parents, teens and adults with developmental delays are encouraged to attend this interactive program. RSVP 495-5088 by March 22

Friday, March 31
6-10 p.m.
FAT Friday
Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.
The Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop will include a Developmental Disabilities Awareness stop, sponsored by Seven Counties Services and other partners. Free parking, and the space is accessible. Live music and
art work displayed and for sale by citizens with disabilities. Free and open to the public

Developmental Disabilities/Mental Retardation Month 2006

About developmental disabilities, which include mental retardation and Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and cerebral palsy

Mental retardation (MR)

Mental retardation is a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him or herself, and social skills. These limitations will cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical child. Persons with mental retardation may take longer learning to speak, walk, and take care of their personal needs, such as dressing or eating. They are likely to have trouble learning in school; however, they can and will learn, though it may take them longer. Mental retardation can be caused by genetic conditions, problems during pregnancy and at birth, and other health problems. Mental retardation is not a disease, nor is it a mental illness. As many as three out of every 100 people in the country has mental retardation.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury, which can be a developmental disability, is an injury to the brain caused by the head being hit with something or shaken violently. This injury can change how the person acts, moves, thinks, and learns. The term "TBI" is not used for a person who is born with a brain injury, or for injuries that occur during birth. More than one million children receive brain injuries each year, and more than 30,000 of these children have lifelong disabilities as a result of the injury.

Cerebral palsy (CP)

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common conditions seen by pediatric neurologists; however, there is no absolute definition of CP. Many clinicians agree that CP is an abnormality of motor function (as opposed to mental function) that is acquired at an early age, usually less than a year in age, and is due to a brain lesion that is non-progressive. Despite the diversity of risks/causes of CP (including such factors as abnormalities in utero, birth asphyxia, prematurity, etc.), many CP cases remain without a defined cause. CP affects approximately one to three out of every 1,000 children born.