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Mile High Down Syndrome Association
Parents,
who felt a need to associate more closely with other parents of children
with Down syndrome, formed the Mile
High Down Syndrome Association in 1981. The association provides support,
information, and referral services to over 4,000 callers each year.
It is the
mission of Mile High Down Syndrome Association to assure inclusion and
enhance independence of people with Down syndrome.
The vision
of MHDSA is a society where all members are valued for their uniqueness,
respected for their contribution and assured the opportunity and choice
to create their own path to fulfillment and success.
MHDSA works
with the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute on research projects, which focus
on enhancing the health and cognitive strengths of individuals with Down
syndrome. The association is affiliated with the National Down Syndrome
Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society.
Additional
supporting organizations include MCPN,
the Sie Foundation, The
Denver Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Education Fund,
and the Galen and Ada Belle Spencer Foundation. |
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Eleanor Roosevelt Institute
The Eleanor
Roosevelt Institute (ERI) was founded more than 40 years ago on the
belief that biomedical and genetic research are the most effective, long-term
approaches to the eventual conquest of human disease. ERI's mission is
to seek an in-depth understanding of the process of life and through this
understanding work towards unlocking the mysteries of human health and
disease.
ERI participated
in decoding the 21st chromosome, as part of the Human Genome Project.
Down syndrome, one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities in humans,
occurs when an error in cell division called non-disjunction results in
an embryo with three number 21 chromosomes instead of two. The 21st chromosome
is also associated with Alzheimer's and ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). ERI's
current research includes a trial aimed at reducing cognitive decline
in individuals with Down syndrome over the age of 50 and studies on sensory
integration and motor coordination in persons with Down syndrome.
In 2003,
ERI joined forces with the University of Denver. The University of Denver
has strong research and teaching programs in biological sciences and biochemistry.
This merger will boost Colorado's prominence as a center for biomedical
research. DU also has a nationally recognized cognitive neurosciences
program that combines the disciplines of psychology and biology.
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