Imagine the Possibilities
Karen Gaffney spoke at the TDSN banquet on Sunday,
March 14, 2004 at the Embassy Suites in Cary. She was engaging, inspiring,
entertaining and extremely encouraging towards her audience of parents and
professionals supporting children with Down syndrome.
TDSN also recognized several individuals and organizations who
have enriched the lives of our children, members of the community who have not
been "blinded" by disability but focused instead on ability and helped
a person with Down syndrome imagine and reach towards their goals.
In addition to our award recipiants, TDSN also recognized the following
individuals for the overwhelming support they have provided to children with
Down syndrome.
 | Dr. Thomas Layton from NCCU |
| Chapel Hill Co-operative Pre-school and
Marguerite Stimpson (principal) |
| Marie Perry from the Frankie Lemmon School |
| Peg Haynes from Green Hope Elementary |
| Bythe Crissman from Duke University Medical
Center |
| Joanne Deans from White Plains Children’s
Center |
| Amy Reynolds from Total Communications |
| Frank Knott from Riverwood Elementary School |
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Jackie Jourdan
Special Recognition
Honors
Jackie Jourdan is the principal at
Lincoln Heights Magnet Elementary School. As a principal she sets the bar
for creating a school environment where every child feels welcome.
Ms. Jourdan has created a welcoming, caring community where she has made
it a priority that all children are accepted and appreciated for their
individuality. |
 |
Janet Mason
Special Recognition Honors
Janet Mason is a therapeutic riding
instructor at Chapel Ridge Farms. Ms. Mason has created programs tailored
to meet the needs of all the children who participate in the riding
program. Through her enthusiasm, she has made the children feel incredibly
special during their lessons. |
 |
Laura McClees
Distinguished Service
Awards
Laura McClees, currently a student at
Meredith College, is a PA worker provided through Alpha Omega Healthcare
who has developed a very special relationship with a young boy with Down
syndrome. Laura is an amazing young woman who got involved in this young
man’s life when she was only a teenager. She has provided love,
encouragement and support . |
| (picture not available) |
Jeannie Ammons
Distinguished Service Award.
Jeannie has served on the TDSN board for a
number of years. As a board member, Jeannie contributed in some way to
every TDSN event we have held. As a speech pathologist professional,
she has provided support and encouragement to every child under her care.
T |
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The Knier Foundation
Benefactor Award
Elizabeth and Chris Knier accepted the
award on behalf of the Knier Foundation |
 |
White Plains United
Methodist Church
Benefactor Award
Rev. Morrison accepted the
award on behalf of White Plains United Methodist Church.
|
Over 170 people showed up to celebrate the evening. Donna Beckman,
Denise Lloyd and the banquet committee did a wonderful job planning the
event. Thanks also to Cary Travel for supplying airline tickets that were
raffled during the evening, to Brittany Williams for her amazing performance of
"The Power of the Dream" and thanks to the Junior League of Raleigh
for their volunteer support during the event.
More information about our keynote speaker:
Karen Gaffney earned a high school diploma from St. Mary's Academy and went
on to attain an A.S. degree and a Teacher's Aide Certificate from the Portland
Community College. On July 23, 2001, Karen, a member of a six-person relay team,
set out from Shakespeare Beach in Dover, England, and swam toward the coast of
France and into the official record books of the English Channel Swimming
Association. Fourteen hours later, the team reached the coast of France and
Karen became the first person with Down syndrome to have completed a relay swim
across the English Channel.
Currently serving as president of the non-profit organization, the Karen Gaffney
Foundation, Karen travels internationally and is a frequent speaker
at conferences and workshops. The Foundation, established in 1998, is dedicated
to championing the journey to full inclusion for people with Down syndrome and
other disabilities. Karen, along with the Foundation, has produced two
videos. One targeting new parents and the other towards educators. A third
video, Imagine the Possibilities, is a documentary telling the story Team
Gaffney's relay swim across the English Channel, an
amazing story of teamwork and community inclusion.
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Triangle Down Syndrome Network
