Let's Celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and a chance to spread awareness, advocacy and inclusion throughout the community. During the month of October, WCA is proud to celebrate our clients with Down Syndrome and make people aware of their abilities and accomplishments.
 
According to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)one in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down Syndrome the most common chromosomal condition.

Many of our amazing clients here at WCA have Down Syndrome. We are more than proud to introduce you to one of these talented artists, Walter May.  He stands up to express his pride and support of his own condition and shares his interesting accomplishments and passion for WCA. 

Walter May was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He shared a very interesting experience when he said, “When I was a baby I almost died because my throat closed up on me, with all the prayers from my family and friends I am happy that I am alive.” His hobbies include collecting and recycling pop cans, watching soap operas and playing with the Buddy Up Tennis program at the Kettering Tennis Center. He heard about We Care Arts through Terry Schalnat, our Executive Director, when she came to Belmont High School to teach an art class and he decided to start coming here in 1992 after graduating from high school. Walter’s favorite things here are friends and painting, which is his favorite art medium. He says that painting makes him feel good inside and he likes painting larger wooden projects where he can take his time and really concentrate.