Civitan Club of Middletown

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

The Civitan Club of Middletown CT has been a "Holiday on Main" partner with the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce for the past 18+ years. This year we were pleased to have our service partner Altrusa Intnl of Central CT join us.

04/23/2025

The FCIDD is excited to announce recent grant beneficiaries: The Arc Montgomery County, The Arc of Prince George's County, Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum , Occupational Services, Inc. in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; the Fried Center for the Advancement of Potential (https://fcapotential.org/) in Crozet, Virginia; and Children's Assistive Technology Services in Moneta, Virginia. We are grateful to the Civitan Clubs who supported these program grant submissions: Area Civitan , Smith Mountain Lake Civitan Club , Northern Shenandoah Valley Civitan Club , Thomas Jefferson Civitan Club , and Silver Spring Civitans !

03/20/2025

Get the full details in our most recent blog post at https://www.fcidd.org/post/empowering-employment-and-community-connections-at-kindness-cafe
Thanks to our friends at Kindness Cafe + Play Charlottesville and Thomas Jefferson Civitan Club !

03/15/2025

Join us in spreading awareness for National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month! This effort spotlights the lives of those with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement and muscle coordination.

Civitan International and the Civitan International Research Center scientists continue to join together in the name of research for new treatments, developments and breakthroughs related to this and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

03/13/2025

Get the full details in our most recent blog post at
https://www.fcidd.org/post/breaking-barriers-how-east-broad-top-railroad-is-embracing-history-and-inclusion-with-fcidd

We’re grateful to our friends at East Broad Top Railroad and Capital Region Civitan Club - Harrisburg Area PA !

03/07/2025

Get the full details in our most recent blog post at https://www.fcidd.org/post/making-possibilities-happen-at-red-wiggler-community-farm

Thanks to our friends at Red Wiggler Community Farm and Silver Spring Civitans !

02/07/2025

Down syndrome was named after John Langdon Down, a British doctor who, in 1866, was the first to classify this condition. Langdon Down began his career as the chief physician at the Earlswood institution, which cared for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Although he had no prior experience in caring for people with such disabilities, Langdon Down showed a profound interest and empathy for them. At a time when many ignored their value and humanity, he recognized their dignity and was outraged by the inhumane treatment they received. Physical punishment, poor hygiene, and high mortality rates were common in institutions of that era.

Determined to change this reality, Dr. Langdon Down implemented transformative measures. He hired new staff, demanded proper care and strict hygiene, banned physical punishment, and introduced activities such as crafts and hobbies for the patients. Moreover, he photographed his patients with care and sensitivity, portraying them in elegant attire and favorable poses. These images, part of a collection of over 200 photos, supported his clinical descriptions of Down syndrome, detailing physical characteristics and other relevant medical observations.

In 1868, Langdon Down took an even greater step by acquiring a mansion to house people with Down syndrome. He did not treat it as a mere institution but as a space that met the highest standards of comfort and hygiene. Residents received private education and learned activities such as horse riding, gardening, crafting, and other creative practices. To further enrich their lives, the doctor built a small theater attached to the mansion, promoting artistic and social development among the residents.

This mansion, named Normansfield, still stands today in the United Kingdom. It is now known as The Langdon Down Centre and houses the Normansfield Theatre, preserving the legacy of care and respect initiated by John Langdon Down.

It is important to emphasize that the name “Down” has no relation to delays or prognosis associated with the condition. It simply honors a doctor whose sensitivity and dedication marked a new era in the care and recognition of the dignity of people with Down syndrome.

Credits :teoríaoscura

08/17/2024

Please come support us today

11th Annual PACK THE PICKUP
with Proteins and Products for the Pantry

Please help us fill the shelves for Amazing Grace Food Pantry!

Suggested Items:

Pasta (actually has 7 grams of protein per 2oz)
Pasta Sauce
Baby Food/Formula, Diapers
Peanut Butter
Mac & Cheese Mixes
Canned Tuna, Chicken, Meats/Fish
Chili
Canned Ravioli- meat or cheese
Black, Kidney, White Beans - canned or dried
Baked Beans
Chicken or Beef Soups
Powdered or Evaporated Milk
Condiments – mayonnaise, mustard, relish
Hygiene Products - Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Toothpaste /Brushes, Shaving Cream/Razors, etc.
School Supplies - Notebooks, Paper, Pencils, Pens, Back Packs, Crayons, etc.

Thanks to all for participating!