Downs Designs Dream Progress and Direction

1. DOWNS DESIGNS DREAMS – 877-390-4851 DOWNSDESIGNSDREAMS.ORG December Issue
DOWNS DESIGNS® & NBZ® JEANS – ADOPT-A-JEAN® FRIDAY PROGRAM 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS SPECIALS
Families from across the country share their
stories with us. Too often, independence
comes at a high price for individuals with
special needs and their families. Downs
Designs Dreams provides clothing that allows
those with special needs to dress
independently and confidently. Every Friday,
we donate our designer jeans to some of
these families. We call it our Adopt-A-Jean®
Friday project. Our jeans offer a clothing
solution that fits properly, is sensory friendly,
and fashionable. Our jeans are easy to
manipulate with their custom features. As a
non-profit, we are on a mission to increase
the number of individuals and families we
serve on a weekly basis. Did you know you
can help those around you with this
program?
Cerebral Palsy
Jade writes: "Gavin was born in 2008 with
numerous health issues including several
birth defects. His main diagnoses are Opitz-
Kaveggia syndrome (FG syndrome), Cerebral
Palsy, Sensory Processing Disorder and he is
visually impaired. He is a hilarious 7-year-old
who is in 2nd grade at the Oklahoma School
for the Blind. He loves Boy Scouts, adapted
wrestling and his brothers. He struggles every
day but never gives up. He always has a grin
and a joke for everyone he meets and is the
friendliest person. Gavin is our big blessing in
our family." "My son struggles with fine
motor and sensory issues. Also due to his
syndrome he has a hypotonia belly that
makes finding pants that fit very hard. He
struggles to button big buttons and jean
buttons are impossible for him to do. He also
has severe sensory issues that makes buttons
irritating to him and he can't tolerate them.
He has not worn jeans since he was infant
due to button issues. He is stuck wearing
sweat pants or athletic pants and at 7 he
notices. He gets very upset because he can't
wear jeans to school like the other boys in his
class because he just wants to belong. These
jeans would allow him to be like his peers and
for once forget a few of his struggles and just
belong. It would make my little boy smile.
Autism
Brandilyn writes: My 6 year old son has been
diagnosed with Moderate Autism, SPD and a
Global Developmental Delay. I would love for
him to be able to wear a pair of denim jeans
that look just like everyone else.
"Due to his delay, Zo is not able to fully dress
himself and we rely on sweatpants since he
lacks the skills to button or zip clothing. I
would love for him to be able to wear a pair
of denim jeans that look just like everyone
else. Thank you for your consideration!!"
Veterans
Betty writes: "I would like to see my brother
in a pair of jeans that look like real blue jeans.
He is a vet from the Nam war. He is now
blessed with Agent Orange, has respiratory
problems, walks with walker and his hands
are deformed, etc. He is home bound unless
we take him to the V.A. for testing. He would
like a pair of blue jeans for such outings. So
hard to find them in the stores with mock fly
and elastic pull up waist."
Down syndrome
Leah writes: "I have 6 kids with Down
syndrome, 5 of them are adopted. My oldest,
19 year old Angela, has owned several pairs
of Downs Designs. My next two, Axel 15 and
Abel 12, are able to manage buttons and
fasteners, and so far can wear standard jean
sizes. However my youngest three kids,
Asher, Amos and Audrey, all 11 years old.
None of them are able to manage zippers or
snaps, and being 11 years old we try to give
them as much independence as possible, but
it’s getting more difficult to find elastic waist
clothes that 1) fit and 2) are stylish. "Allow
them to be more independent in their daily
lives, and fit in with their peers."
Parkinson’s Lou Gehrig’s
Muscular Dystrophy Stroke
Many More
Click: Adopt-A-Jean® Submission
Teaming Up To Help Veterans on
#GivingTuesday
Jenniffer & Co. & Downs Designs Dreams teamed up to
provide dressing solutions for veterans at the Louis
Stokes Cleveland VA Center. Downs Designs Dreams is
looking to aid more veterans and veteran groups.
Support-A-Veteran/ Adopt-A-Jean® Program
Shelley Peterman Schwarz:
Holiday Gift Ideas
Author Shelley Peterman Schwarz offers tips for
how to live better with aging, disability or chronic
illness. Check out her column inside the
Wisconsin State Journal to see what she
mentions as her favorite holiday gift idea this
year! Her website MakingLifeEasier.com also aids
those with disabilities.
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