We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the East Texas Down Syndrome Group. We are a nonprofit organization made up primarily of self-advocates, parents and grandparents of people with Down syndrome, and other interested persons. We formed in 2002 with the help of ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) when ECI saw the need for such a group in our community. As of August 2008, we have approximately 100 families in our group (including an affiliated subgroup in Nacogdoches "DownInNac"--see the link to the left), all commonly linked in one way or another to someone with Down syndrome.

Our Mission

The East Texas Down Syndrome Group provides information, education, and moral support to families in East Texas. Our biggest activity of the year is a “Buddy Walk” affiliated with the National Down Syndrome Society. This is a fundraiser for our group. The purpose of the walk is to get our families and the community involved to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. There are many activities throughout the year that allow our families to get together and share our experiences with each other and build friendships. There are bi-monthly meetings to discuss ideas for fellowship, education opportunities for our members, guest speakers or training opportunities, a Spring Fling Family Picnic, a New Member Coffee, and play-dates for toddlers, youth and teen outings, & special gatherings for our adults.

The East Texas Down Syndrome Group is able to support our families in many ways throughout the year including:

·   Providing emergency family assistance

·   Sponsoring representatives to a national Down syndrome conference each summer

·   Distributing new parent packages

·   Publishing a monthly newsletter, Earthbound Angels, which has proven to be ETDSG’s best means of communication

·   Sponsoring members attending educational seminars (primarily held in Dallas)

·   Maintaining a library to provide a wide array of books on current topics related to Down syndrome

We would like to personally invite you to become a member of our group, which has no membership fee. If you would like to find out more information about our group, Down syndrome in general, or any other related resource, please contact us at info@etdsg.org.

If you, or someone you know, are facing the possibility of having a baby with Down syndrome, please don’t hesitate to contact us... we are here to give you support, encouragement, and hope!!