Notice Board
In the early hours of morning on Thursday the 7th of February, someone set fire to the store room below the DSAQ office. Luckily for us an ambulance driver was on his way home and noticed the flames and smoke and called the fire department. If he had not noticed the smoke and stopped, the whole office would have been destroyed. So we would like to say a massive thank you to the kind ambulance driver who saved our office.
BUDDY WALK SUNDAY OCTOBER 12th 2008
MY LIFE MY VOICE
The launch of ‘My Life My Voice’ – the song & music video will be an occasion of huge excitement for all who have been associated with its production – the children & young adults with Down syndrome, their parents & families, the Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Creative Industry, Brisbane City Council & Sweet Freedom Inc.
The project is unique in that the song has been written by people with Down syndrome to give others a little window into their world. Through many workshops, sing-a-longs and discussions, a style of music kind of ‘bubbled up’ out of the participants. Quotes, favourite expressions, na na nas (for those in the group who are currently ‘non-verbal’) as well as some extremely poignant & insightful comments were structured into the lyrics. The resultant song is not one that asks for pity or assistance. It has not been composed to engage tears from its listeners.
It is up-tempo, centre-stage and proud.
Why wouldn’t it be? The performers are lovers of life who are singing of what they value – the lyrics are theirs.
The mums, dads, brothers, sisters & friends jammed on keyboards & electric violins, strummed guitars and pounded drums in order to set up a ‘musical bed’ on which our young ones could bounce around, enjoy & showcase themselves.
Recording facilities (including producer & studio engineer) were generously provided by the Creative Industries Department of QUT Kelvin Grove, funding for video production & DVD manufacture was provided by Brisbane City Council while Sweet Freedom Inc guided the collaborative song construction process.
Copies of the DVD will be sent to TV networks as well as being added to the resource kit available to schools, hospitals and other relevant organisations to advance the commitment to an inclusive environment while offering an optimistic perspective for soon-to-be or new parents of babies with Down syndrome.
‘My Life My Voice’ is available for sale to the general public. Profits return to the Down Syndrome Association to enable the continuation of their family support & educative programs.
Copies of the DVD are available from the DSAQ office for $10.00 each plus postage. Contact the office now for copies.
MOVING OFFICES
DSAQ is moving rooms and we need your help! More Information on how you can help here.
UPCOMING EXTERNAL WORKSHOPS
Not being able to speak does not mean you have nothing to say
REMINDER: DSAQ MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFICE
FATHERS GROUPS
We have some members of the association that are interested in starting a dad's group in the Wakerley , Carindale, Wynum area if you are interested in this please contact the office.
Watch DSAQ's 'My Life My Voice' song and video clip now!