Carnival raises disability awareness

Around 150 people with Down syndrome from more than 100 families participated. Most were around 5–8 years old, but the age range of participants extended from newborns to 20-year-olds.

Organized for the fourth year by Princeton Disabilities Awareness, the conference continues its main goal of “organiz[ing] events to bring people with disabilities to campus and have them interact with Princeton students to raise awareness,” PDA president Christine Blauvelt ’12 said. “When you get to interact with people with disabilities, it creates a deeper understanding and appreciation for people.”

The conference was a two-fold program for parents and their children. As children were paired with University students and played together at the Campus Club carnival, parents attended 90-minute panel discussions on raising children with Down syndrome, such as “Social Inclusion,” “Mental Health,” “Health and Well-Being,” and “Financial Planning for Children with Disabilities.”

“The volunteer response has been amazing,” Blauvelt said of this year’s conference, noting that most children were paired with two Princeton students for the games.

“The younger kids, for one, just have a blast,” she added. “They just love hanging out with older kids. They really see the volunteers as mentors.”

Student volunteers also called the experience rewarding.

“It’s a really great program for the parents, for the kids and for us,” Rebecca Lewinson ’14 said as she and the child she was paired with tossed around leaves from a big pile on the Campus Club lawn.

Another student, Cindi Yim ’12, described the day as “really fun.” “Rachel has so much energy!” she said of the girl with whom she was paired.

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Students also sold books, catalogs and artwork that educated the public on Down syndrome and children with disabilities in general. The artwork sold was produced by a 30-year-old man with Down syndrome.

“It’s great because I’ve gotten to interact with people with Down syndrome and at the same time help out by selling books and artwork,” said volunteer Monica Gordillo ’14.

Across campus at the Friend Center, Peta Cohen, a clinical nutritionist and the speaker for “Nutrition for Special Needs: Building a Strong Health Foundation,” offered advice to parents about their children’s diets and how “optimal nutrition plays a central role in the healthy development of all children.”

At the session on “Social Inclusion,” Jeanne D’Haem discussed the importance of friendship inside and outside of school. “Friends play a significant role in both physical and mental health [of children],” she explained.

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Blauvelt said that PDA hopes to continue encouraging interaction between Princeton students and individuals with disabilities by sponsoring smaller events in the spring.