Down Syndrome Association of Sudbury

06/09/2026

Thank you Paul Lefebvre for recognizing Carlo and Rachael's advocacy and leadership on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome and their families for both Down Syndrome Association of Ontario - DSAO and Down Syndrome Association of Sudbury

While we are incredibly proud of the opportunity to represent Greater Sudbury, Canada, and the Down syndrome community on the international stage, our work has always been rooted here at home. Every conversation at the United Nations ultimately comes back to one goal: improving the lives of people with Down syndrome in our own communities.

We are grateful for the support we have received from municipal leaders and look forward to continuing those conversations at City Council on June 23. Together, we have an opportunity to move beyond awareness and create meaningful change—challenging stereotypes, increasing opportunities, and building a community where people with Down syndrome are recognized for their strengths, contributions, and value.

Inclusion is not just about being present; it's about belonging, being heard, and having the opportunity to participate fully in community life.

Thank you for helping shine a light on this important work. We hope this recognition inspires our community to continue working together to create a more inclusive Greater Sudbury for everyone.

Congratulations to Carlo and Rachael DiCarlo on their remarkable advocacy and leadership on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

As the only Canadian delegates invited to participate in United Nations events in both Geneva and New York City, Carlo and Rachael proudly represented Greater Sudbury, Ontario and Canada on the global stage, helping advance important conversations about inclusion, belonging and addressing loneliness within the Down syndrome community.

Their dedication continues to make a difference both locally and internationally, and I look forward to welcoming them to Council on June 23 as they share their experience with our community.

Their work doesn't stop there. In September 2027, Carlo and Rachael will once again champion inclusion as part of a larger delegation from Greater Sudbury travelling to Buenos Aires.

Thank you, Carlo and Rachael, for your passion, leadership and commitment to building a more inclusive world. You make Greater Sudbury proud.

Down Syndrome Association of Sudbury
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Félicitations à Carlo et Rachael DiCarlo pour leur engagement et leur leadership remarquables en faveur des personnes atteintes du trisomie 21 et de leurs familles.

En tant que seuls délégués canadiens invités à participer aux événements des Nations Unies à Genève et à New York, Carlo et Rachael ont fièrement représenté le Grand Sudbury, l’Ontario et le Canada sur la scène internationale, contribuant ainsi à faire avancer des discussions importantes sur l’inclusion, le sentiment d’appartenance et la lutte contre la solitude au sein de la communauté des personnes atteintes du trisomie 21.

Leur dévouement continue de faire la différence tant au niveau local qu’international, et j’ai hâte de les accueillir au Conseil le 23 juin pour qu’ils puissent partager leur expérience avec notre communauté.

Leur travail ne s’arrête pas là. En septembre 2027, Carlo et Rachael défendront une nouvelle fois l’inclusion au sein d’une délégation plus large de la région du Grand Sudbury qui se rendra à Buenos Aires.

Merci, Carlo et Rachael, pour ta passion, ton leadership et ton engagement à bâtir un monde plus inclusif. Tu fais la fierté du Grand Sudbury.

06/08/2026

⛳ Who's ready to hit the links for a great cause?! ⛳

The Down Syndrome Association of Sudbury is thrilled to announce that registration is now OPEN for our Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament!

Join us on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Cedar Green Golf Club for an unforgettable day of golf, community, prizes, and fun—all while supporting local individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

🏌️ Gather your foursome
💙 Support an incredible cause
🏆 Compete for prizes and bragging rights
🤝 Connect with community members and local businesses
⛳ Help us launch what we hope will become an annual tradition

Every registration helps DSAS continue providing programs, advocacy, resources, and opportunities for connection for individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout our community.

📅 Saturday, August 15, 2026
📍 Cedar Green Golf Club

🔗 Register today:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBJEkwx9GoHwK3dCDFhxpD_OJdU14L0NvPjlj4PVnxPS8jWQ/viewform

Please help us spread the word by liking, sharing, and tagging your golf buddies below! ⛳💙

06/06/2026

Today reminded us why these smaller gatherings matter so much.

Our goal for this playdate wasn't simply to fill a room—it was to create space for connection. Connection between families, between children, and between parents who understand the unique joys, challenges, and experiences that come with raising a child with Down syndrome.

We were so fortunate to meet one of our newest DSAS families today and spend time sharing stories, experiences, and encouragement. Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen in the smallest gatherings.

While we were so immersed in conversation and connection that we forgot to take many photos, the few we captured of Jon and Moana remind us of the importance of creating friendships—not only for our children, but also supportive, lasting friendships among parents who are walking a similar journey.

A heartfelt thank you to Little World Play Café for their wonderful hospitality, and to Delta Bingo and Gaming for helping make opportunities like this possible for our families.

Building community doesn't always happen in large crowds. Sometimes it starts with a conversation, a shared experience, and the realization that you're not walking this path alone. 💛💙

06/03/2026

DSAS - there is still time to register.
Let's show our extended Down Syndrome family how Sudbury represents! 💙💛

06/01/2026

🌸 What a day at Spring Fling in Bell Park! 🌸

DSAS was thrilled to be part of this wonderful community event filled with local vendors, delicious food trucks, children's train rides, and plenty of family fun. Of course, one of the biggest highlights was the incredible inflatables from A Maze N Fun that kept smiles on faces all day long!

A heartfelt thank you to A Maze N Fun Inc. for your continued support of DSAS and for helping create memorable experiences for the families we serve. Your generosity and community spirit mean so much to us.

From laughter and play to connecting with friends old and new, it was truly a perfect day in the park. ☀️💙

Take a sneak peek at some of the fun and special moments we captured throughout the day!

💙🎈🌸

05/26/2026

What an incredible day at the All Stars Athletic Meet hosted at the Laurentian track! ☀️🏅

Students from across the Rainbow District School Board came together to celebrate athletics, inclusion, teamwork, and school spirit — and it was truly heartwarming to witness. From cheering crowds to determined athletes giving it their all, the energy throughout the day was amazing.

A huge congratulations to every athlete who participated today. Your enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and smiles made this event so special! 💙

And the beautiful weather was the perfect bonus for such a memorable day.

We would LOVE to see your photos and favourite moments from today — please share them in the comments below! 📸👇

05/24/2026

This moment is heartbreaking because you can hear the fear, uncertainty, and weight that so many parents are handed before they’ve even had a chance to meet their child.

Too often, conversations around a diagnosis begin with worst-case scenarios, statistics, and discussions of termination — instead of compassion, hope, celebration, and support. Every family deserves balanced information and the chance to see the beauty, joy, and possibility that also exists.

We hope that with continued education and advocacy, parents are first met with kindness, congratulations, and a community ready to walk beside them — not fear. 💙💛

05/10/2026

Hello DSAS Families,

Today, on Mother’s Day, the Down Syndrome Association of Sudbury would like to celebrate the incredible moms and female caregivers in our community. 💙💛

Your love, advocacy, patience, strength, and unwavering support make such a meaningful difference every single day. Today, we honour and appreciate all that you do.

To help us celebrate, we invite families to share a favourite photo in the comments below featuring the amazing moms, grandmothers, aunties, sisters, and caregivers in your lives.

We would love to fill our page with the beautiful faces and moments that make our community so special.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at DSAS!

04/14/2026

Well… looks like we dropped the ball (pun 100% intended) and missed posting this gem 🏀😅

On March 29th, our DSAS caregivers had an absolute BALL courtside cheering on the Sudbury Five! It was a total nail-biter right down to the final buzzer.

Sure, our hometown heroes didn’t take the win—but honestly? We still came out on top with an afternoon full of laughs, camaraderie, and great memories 💙

Proof that sometimes the real victory is the fun we have along the way 🙌