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Summer 2006
We are always looking for items for our newsletter. We welcome your articles about past events, information or ideas
that you would like to share with us.
Serving over 1300 athletes in 15 Regions across Nova Scotia takes talent, skill and determination. With a
dedicated group of volunteers, a Board of Directors of 18, and a full-time staff of three, we are taking SONS to a new level.
Our established mandate for our future and our goal for implementation has allowed us to accomplish significant milestones
- surpassing even our greatest expectations.
What is Special Olympics?
Special Olympics is a non-profit organization dedicated to
providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults
with an intellectual disability.
How is it different from the Paralympics?
Special Olympics and
Paralympics are two separate and distinct organizations. Special Olympics is unique in providing sports opportunities for
individuals with different levels of intellectual disabilities. Paralympics provides sports opportunities for elite athletes
with a physical handicap.
Who can participate?
Special Olympics is open to every intellectually
disabled person, regardless of the level or degree of that person's disability, and whether or not that person also has other
physical disabilities.
What ages are eligible?
Almost every age is eligible for Special Olympics
programming in Nova Scotia from eight to 88. Special Olympics Nova Scotia also has a youth program for children aged four
to 12, which focuses on structured play and introduction to games, teams, competitions and socialization.
What
sports are offered in Nova Scotia?
There is a range of sports offered throughout Nova Scotia. The choices vary
from region to region. The full list of sports includes Aquatics, Athletics, Curling, Nordic Skiing, Figure Skating, Soccer,
Bowling, Snowshoeing, Floor Hockey, Softball, Power Lifting, Speed Skating, Masters Triathlon, and a Youth Program. Please
contact us to find out which sports are available in your region.
How do I register someone to participate?
Just contact a staff person with Special Olympics Nova Scotia or visit the "Our Regions" portion of our
website for a contact in your area. They will give you all of the information you need and can put you in touch with resource
people in your community.
You can reach them at:
Special Olympics Nova Scotia
5516 Spring
Garden Road, Suite 305
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1G6
Phone: (902) 429-2266
Fax: (902) 425-5606
Toll Free: 1-866-299-2019
greekmr@sportnovascotia.ca
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| Buddy Walk 2005 |
NSDSS 1st Annual Buddy Walk
On Saturday, November 5, 2005 the NS Down Syndrome Society held their first annual Buddy Walk
at Shubie Canal Park. It was a beautiful fall afternoon with friends and family enjoying the walk. Chuckles the Clown provided
entertainment to the walkers and Tim Hortons supplied coffee and hot chocolate. Approximately 100 people participated in the
walk - it was a sea of purple awareness bracelets and white shirts making the 2 kilometer walk.
Thanks to all our volunteers, sponsors and participants who made our 1st annual Buddy Walk
a great succes.
Thank You
NSDSS would like to thank all volunteers, sponsors and members for their support during 2005.
Thanks to the hard work and input of everyone we had a great start:
- over 50 families joined NSDSS in 2005,
- we organized several succesful events with the highlight being the Buddy Walk,
- we had a succesful fundraising year,
- several committees were started,
- several awareness projects were started
Tax Time
If you are the caregiver of a person with DS you are eligible to receive a Disability Tax Credit. Contact
your physician to fill out a medical tax form as stated in the information booklet before
applying for these deductions. The form is called T2201; Disability Tax Credit Certificate.
Here is the information for the income tax.
Nova Scotia tax Provincial Worksheet. Section Line 5844
2941.00 Turn over sheet and finish line 5848 this can give you a Nova Scotia Tax reduction
of $7234.00 for line 20 on the Nova Scotia Tax form. Do not also claim line 5844 if you claim 5848. It would be claiming twice.
The first one is if you were a Disabled person living on you own.
Federal tax worksheet. Section line 316 3784.00 and finish line 318. This can give you
a Federal tax reduction of $10270.00 for line 318 on your federal tax form.
Disability Savings Plan
Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN), based in Vancouver, has started an email petition calling on Ottawa
to adopt a disability savings plan that would offer adult children the support they need throughout their lives. To sign the
petition, please visit http://www.petitiononline.com/2603655/petition.html
*FUN (Family United Network)
The Family United Network of Nova Scotia is a loosely knit group of parents who have sons
and daughters with disabilities. FUN NS is just getting started and is part of the Maritime FUN and National
FUN movements. The goal is to network with families and develop a database of members that can connect province-wide. If you
are interested in being part of the provincial family network, please contact Sandra at 902-464-8869 or send an e-mail to
fun-ns@ns.sympatico.ca
"Life Goes On" on DVD!
In May 2006 Warner Bros. has released the complete first season of "Life Goes On" featuring Chris
Burke as "Corky" and is now for sale in stores.
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