DownStream Fly Fishing

Official DownStream 2010 Report...

2010-06-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

It is with great pleasure that I bring you a few descriptive images from the day. Thanks to Mike Howes from Granite Bay Fly Casters for the most of these images and Shawn Pittard for providing us with a little write-up. The day was a huge success for 20 people with Down syndrome and 70 plus volunteers.

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

20 kids with Down Syndrome put John Wooden’s words, printed on the backs of their tee-shirts, into action at the fourth annual DownStream fly fishing event. For the second year in a row, Mark and Kristen Brown provided full access to the Willow Creek Event Facility on their 40-acre ranch near Browns Valley. 70 volunteers coming from fly fishing clubs, local schools and sponsor employees were on hand to guide the kids through a fun-filled day of learning and doing.

The kids learned how to tie a fly, paint a fish picture, how to cast and to see what fish eat. They also learned how to catch fish, lots of fish. High-fives were everywhere as the kids caught feisty rainbow trout in the ranch’s ponds. After a hearty lunch, complete with ice cream cones, the kids went right back to fly fishing. Fish stories were in the making and more than one young fly-fisher could be heard asking a parent for “One more cast.”

The Appeal-Democrat in Yuba City wrote up a little something: Article

Soon to be fly fishing legend, Tommy Berg with his hand-tied flies.

A huge thanks to all who make this possible,

For more on the fine folks who made this possible, click here.

The fifth annual event has begun brewing, make sure to follow us on Facebook for future events.

Thank you to all my friends, family, students, parents, sponsors and volunteers for making this unique program come alive.

A Mother's Diary: Part 6, Locomotion

2010-06-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Haven't read read part 5, click here.

When Mark was eighteen months old, he discovered the “Jib-Skid.” The world was becoming an interesting place and he had made it clear he was not going to miss any of it. The Jib-Skid was his first independently invented form of locomotion, although it was clear it had either come with this genetic package, or he had seen it somewhere else…. For the record, with months of physical patterning, we had been trying to teach Mark how to crawl on all fours. Patty, the physical therapist and I would crawl around the floor around him and move his arms and legs in a crawl sequence called “patterning” so he could see and “feel” the rhythm. He would sit and watch us with obvious disinterest and would object to this very boring form of entertainment by repeating his one complaint hoot after another until we stopped. Although Patty and I firmed our thighs up, Mark’s opinion of learning to crawl was clearly that it tedious and slow.

The “Jib- Skid” was his chosen mode of transportation. No matter how we describe it delicately, it was a genuine chimpanzee scoot. Mark would sit, shift his upper body weight to his hands and swing his legs under him. As his upper body strength and coordination matched his growing curiosity and motivation to get around independently, there was no nook or cranny safe from his attention.

So there he was with his cute flattened face, button nose, slanty eyes, and his smaller, low-set ears, strong upper body, hooting unintelligible words in public. In addition, Mark had monkey feet. They were very narrow at the heel and wide in the foot. There was that Down syndrome fact # 6; a wide space between the big toe and the rest. I admit in shame, I tried to keep shoes on him all the time to hide those peculiar feet. I took him everywhere, which meant I had to carry him everywhere. To this day my posture lists to the left!

When I could carry him no more, I’d gratefully put him into stroller or a grocery cart and try to do errands and shop. He’d hoot and howl and make the sign for “Down”. If I was getting groceries, he would systematically throw out groceries in the cart within his reach. Oh, yes, I gave in and just sat him on the floor. Sometimes I was so desperate for time, I would just tell the checker Mark was on the floor and not to let him scoot out the door! And I kept shopping not knowing if one of my errands that day would be a trip to jail for child endangerment or abandonment. Mark had no qualms; he’d hit the ground jib-skidding and hooting with great joy. His enthusiasm was contagious. People that had seen Mark grow painfully slow actively cheered him on. Imagine being in a large super market, and people are encouraging your toddler to “Go! Go fast Markie!

And he’d disappear around the aisles, jib skidding under people’s feet, chasing shopping carts of people who called out to him. This was a no fear activity for Mark. Every person he saw showed him a positive reaction. The skid made it hard to keep up with Mark, but I could pinpoint his general direction by his exhilarated hooting. Initially, I panicked for all the right reasons as he left my protective sight. I learned to use those giant super market mirrors placed near the ceilings to keep an eye on him. (Ah! That’s what they’re for!).These were the first months I knew I needed my community’s help in raising Mark. They would come to know him as a favorite son, and I would forever be known as the mother of Chimp Boy.

A Mother's Diary: Part 5, The Sibling

2010-06-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

Haven't read Part 4? Click here-

The Sibling

Ryan was three years old when Mark was born. Needless to say, no matter how hard we tried, Ryan became lost in the initial craziness. There was no mystery about it. Ryan let us know in no uncertain terms that this brother was a disappointment. He couldn’t play ball, go fishing, or shoot arrows. He was too small to do anything fun. He never wanted to get out of his cradle. For heaven’s sakes, he was in the living room in that cradle all the time! Mom, he said, “We have to teach Mark to be a brother okay?” He won’t get well unless we go out and play. Won’t get well? Ryan thought Mark was sick? I had figured on a few more years before having to explain to Ryan that Mark would be different from his friends’ little brothers. For now, it was a blessing to lay that little white lie at Ryan’s feet. “Yes, I lied,” Mark needs more time to get well…

In response to Ryan’s observations we began to take Mark on more excursions. We went outside more as the summer came on, took him grocery shopping, to the movies, etc. What we learned from Ryan was that we began to explain that Mark was not a sick child, just different. And POW was that clear when anyone saw him with us.

At a year old, Mark weighed 18 pounds and was not mobile. He lived on my right hip. Human beings have genetic radar that instantly recognizes when another human is genetically different. It magnetically drew people to us in pubic places. We received them graciously and satisfied their curiosity with more little white lies. I lied about Mark’s age for the first four years of his life. A child of three should be running around in public and mine was always on my hip. I could control the response from strangers from a disappointed “Oh, he’s three and not walking yet?” which would depress me for the rest of the day. Or, since he was so little anyway, I chose to say he was a third his age, which would elicit the comment:” He’s so big for his age!” and that would assure me of a more positive thought to carry home. Then I could cry there instead of the minute I got back into my car. Wherever I cried, Ryan would cuddle me and say, “Mom, Markie will grow up big like me pretty soon.” I would feel like the luckiest mom in the world and go hide in the bathroom to cry some more. I would lean into the mirror over the bathroom sink and pray to Annie Sullivan to help me do right by Markie. Then, I would make the sign of the cross and renew the “Oath” to myself.

My mom used to make the sign of the cross when she made a pie, and they always turned out fabulous. I needed more strength than just optimism at this point and that time honored ritual became a starting point where hope and denial evolved into a simple daily prayer that Markie Sparkie would grow up big like Ryan and create his own holy sparks for the divine fire of his own life.

DownStream Fly Fishing...tomorrow!

2010-05-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow kicks off the 4th annual fly fishing event for people with Down Syndrome. The scene is set for well over 100 people to enjoy a great day of fly fishing on a private ranch.

Stay tuned for a full photo journal and report!

Newest Team Members: Sacramento Coca-Cola and Umpqua Bank

2010-05-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased to announce our newest sponsors for our 2010 event. Both Umpqua Bank and Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc will play vital rolls in the success of DownStream.

Working with both companies has already added value to our program by enriching the quality and level of service we can provide.

DownStream Fly Fishing Day

2010-05-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

We are now inside of two weeks before we kick off DownStream Fly Fishing 2010. We are at full capacity with 25 excited students and 78 passionate volunteers. We have a few new sponsors to add to the list and can't wait to show them our event.

DownStream means business, we make success attainable.

I had a chance to visit Mark and Kristen Brown who own Willow Creek Event Center and was blown away by improvements done in that last year. They have created a Hawaiian sanctuary where no sane person would ever want to leave. Mark and Kristen are wonderful people who have extended themselves to no end to make this event incredible. The property they have, coupled with their commitment to excellence has created a jaw-dropping background for any event. They are working hard to make a unique venue for weddings retreats and much more.

This is where our students will be hooking Rainbow Trout!

I was able to bring out one of DownStream's key supporters, Steve Pereira with Certified Systems in Chico, to help me find some fish. We were joined by his charismatic father-in-law, Harry. The trout were not too cooperative, however the bluegill and bass were anxious and willing to show off their ability to crush flies. For the event, to make sure everyone hooks a trout or two Mark has arranged for the pond to be stocked with perky rainbows.

Bluegill are plentiful and eager to inhale flies like this guy!

We feel blessed to have such passionate people helping us put this event together. It is all about the people- I am going to get you, I just need to find you!

So far so good, we have a new cooking team this year that has success written all over it. They mentioned something about tri-tip sandwiches... we'll see about that!

The bass is clearly aspiring to be like the fish on the shirt.

As part of our commitment to education we teach conservation and catch and release.

With final preparations underway we are ready and willing to do what it takes to make this day unforgettable. If you are reading this and want to get involved, contact us. We are ready to start preparing for next year.

Thank you,
Ryan
Email: rhmiller@gmail.com

A Mother's Diary: Part 4, The Announcement, Infant Stimulation and Sign Language

2010-05-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

The Announcement

To bolster our perception of Mark as a special needs child, we had nicknamed him Sparkie. It was clearly a misnomer until the day Mark made himself a waking presence in our home. I heard him let out a complaintive cry from the other end of the house. It was alarming in its strength, I ran all out to see if he was hurt only to truly meet my son for the first time. He was looking directly up at me with eyes I had only seen a few times since he was born five weeks earlier. There was expectation in his face. His tiny fists were waving crazily in the air, and, his feet were bicycling. He was gurgling and making noises! I picked him up for a joyous cuddle and he smiled at me for the first time for the first time in five weeks.

Infant Stimulation

Now that we had Mark’s official approval of this being born and growing up plan, we began his Infant Stimulation program in earnest. Twice a week lovely, talented Sisters of the Oath- type therapists came to our home to teach me how to help Mark grow up. Mark was an official client of our local Alta Regional Support Services, our local school district special education services, and the California Hawaii Elks special needs therapists: all free services to families with children of special needs.

Those days were a blessing in a new world that was still a murky bewilderment. We would exercise and massage his weak muscles, rub his skin with different textured cloth, engage him to hold his eye contact, and enticed him to mirror expressions on our faces. At four months he began to coo and giggle a little bit. Now his smiles came spontaneously though and they were all we needed to keep us marching into the next day, He took his time deciding to join us, He was giving us the tutorial for raising him on his own terms, and in that, Mark was very clear. It was his life, and he would realize it on own time. It would take him three months to roll over, four months to truly recognize Steve and me, eight months to sit with support. His first spoken word was nih nih (night night) at eighteen months.

At two, Mark had a vocabulary repertoire of most of his peers, but he was using sign language instead of spoken words. He had a number of emerging verbal words, but relied on signing, as we did. This came easy to him and he used it diligently. Although Mark had been naming us with the signs for mama and daddy, we didn’t hear the words until he was a year old. His next real word was wah wah (water) at two years old; and, yes, I did sort of a secular all day novena to Annie Sullivan! Wah Wah. It held such joyous portent for his transition from a nonverbal to a verbal child. He knows! He knows!

**But waiting for Mark to grow was a challenge of faith. Some days were full of hopeless sobs and disappointment. On others, we went about daily business as if he wasn’t even sleeping in the living room. Developmental Delays began to take on meaning. We massaged him, took him out with us, kept stimulation up even if he didn’t respond.

Eventually, we moved him into his own room. We had a child at two, who was not crawling or talking, but signing over 100 words, was barely crawling, had very few teeth, was too small to even balance on a potty chair. The Infant Stimulation therapists were working his muscles to improve tone and strength, adding new signs constantly, working on fine motor skills so he could use a spoon and fork. Basically, anything most kids learn as a matter of fact, kept Mark dependent on this intensive prep time mentally and physically to just continue developing at our expected pace. The fact is, Mark would continue growing at his own pace, even if we left him alone. But “studies” showed marked improvement in developmental gains with early intervention. What parent would say no to that? Every move we made with Mark was in lesson or practice mode. Every task was brainstormed until we found the best way to teach him tasks or elicit social skills. If Mark’s maker had intended for him to be an example of a slow learner, we were exacting a monstrous heresy. Two days a week, we engaged marvelous Sisters of the Oath to come and work Mark’s body and brain. In the evenings and weekends we followed through with our homework assignments. Was over stimulation possible? We worried. Mark wouldn’t nap on his own. He would be exhausted and still refuse to sleep. Either Steve or me had to lay down with him, read or tell him stories before Sparkie would finally relax and sleep. We balked at this indulgence at first, but later we agreed to take turns because the naps were so priceless to our own sanity... The next part get's interesting... stay tuned

The next few entries are going to really get into the meat of our experiences and to be honest get a little tough to chew on. Be ready...

Sponsor Updates

2010-05-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to be working with high quality sponsors.

Click here for more...

DownStream 2009

2010-05-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

The following is a blog written by Mark Lynn. Mark was one of the many great volunteers at DownStream 2009.

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do-

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do!"

What a great mantra...

and it fits in perfectly with my life of late...

I have some major challenges with which I struggle and deal on pretty much a daily basis.

Yet, I somehow manage to get along and fish on a supra-regular basis.

For me, abstinence from fishing is not an option.

I also find that the less self pity and the more gratitude I indulge in... the better off I am.

The perfect opportunity arose last weekend when fellow AR angler, Ryan Miller invited me to help out at his DownStream Outreach Program.

Ryan grew up with his younger brother, Mark (KOOL NAME@!) who was diagnosed as having Down Syndrome.

As Ryan grew up and metamorphosed into a fishing fanatic... he was diagnosed as having Down-Stream Syndrome and rather than fight it... he became a fishing guide.

Looking back, he realized that his brother actually taught him a good many things most notably, attentiveness, patience, perseverance, and compassion~:)

Mark admired and looked up to his brother and vice-versa I'm sure.

I bet they've fished a good many streams together over the years...

Ryan must have pondered how cool it would be to share his love and passion for the sport of fishing not just with his bro but with many young folks who often, because of their somewhat different appearance and exaggerated behaviors, get shunned by mainstream society.

And hence, DownStream was set into motion.

This was the third year of the annual event Ryan designed to connect special-needs folks with something very real, engaging, and inspirational.

I got a bit lost on the way to the event and not once or twice mind you... but three times. When all else fails, read the address on the directions!

That was what finally got me there.

I hadn't missed much as the band was just starting to move towards the pond.
I decided to just help out wherever needed and try to capture the essence of the day with camera and memory card.

It seems to me that human nature has a tendency towards remorse and sympathy for folks like Mark and Alison, Oscar and Peter, Chele and Sam who happen to have been born with a condition like Down Syndrome. I have pondered the hows and whys of this many times throughout my life and the best I can come up with is that there is a design far grander and far more purposeful than our mortal minds can conceive... a plan, a purpose which defies our limited comprehension and preconceptions of right/wrong, good/bad, normal/strange...

...and anyone with open eyes, mind and heart could surely see that these folks needed no sympathy. I walked the perimeter of "BOW'S END" 1/2 a dozen times during the course of the day...
and everywhere I went I saw only enthusiastic, jubilant, happy, smiling faces.

I think everyone must have read the back of the shirt that day and taken heed to John Wooden's directive:

The clouds and drizzle subsided and the morning sun emerged. There were 20-something students and at least twice that many volunteers.

I saw some old/new friends whom I'd met on my home river; Adrian, Teresa, Jason H., Rob, Charlie G. and also made many new friends during the course of the day.

It should come as no surprise that veteran angler, Mark Miller would put the bends to the first trout of the day... and what a fish! Way to go Mark!!

The program was divided into 4 sections:

CASTING

FISHING

Sometimes, the individuals who least enjoy 'living in the limelight'... are the ones who most inspire and leave the greatest, lasting impressions... Such is the case with Alison. I asked permission to take her photo at the FISH ART station and she was quite reluctant. Later in the day, I watched her fight and land a trout. The volunteers brought the netted fish to her and while we were all focused on the photo opportunity, Alison was concerned only with getting the fish back to the pond as quickly as possible... "Oh poor fish. We need to put it back NOW so it can LIVE!"
Way to go Alison! Many of our fisheries and anglers thereof could use the guidance of your wisdom and compassion...

FLY-TYING
FISH ART

Making repeated smooth casts, tying up the perfect wooly bugger, painting a 'rainbow-whale' and fighting lots of fish demands much energy so by noon time, everyone had worked up quite the healthy appetite.

Ryan gathered up the troops and passed out some fishing literature courtesy of one of the event sponsors.

I left DownStream 2009 feeling as though we had each accomplished something very worthwhile and had learned a bit more about who we are in the process.

Fundraiser Success

2010-04-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

Success and Victory for DownStream Fly Fishing

April 17, 2010, was Kiene's annual fly fishing expo and alaso marked DownStream's inaugural fund-raising event that proved to be a great success. I would like to thank Vic's Ice Cream in Sacramento for setting up a great booth, providing the ice cream, and two talented staff members. One of the neatest features of this was Charlie, an employee of Vic's ice cream, who has Down Syndrome. Charlie has been working for Vic's for over a decade and thanks to his delightful service and expertise they sold over 120 cones!

One hundred percent of the proceeds go right to DownStream and I can assure you this money will go a long way.

Andy Guibord

Speaking of the event, we are well on our way to having a great event. We have 25 students with Down Syndrome and over 70 volunteers. We are working on spreading the word in the hopes of inspiring others.

Thanks again to Vic's Ice Cream and Kiene's Fly Shop.

Updates for DownStream

2010-04-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Great news: Thanks to many hands and determination we are totally full! We have 25 students and over 70 volunteers coming out May 22. Thank you to all who on board!

If you a current participant or volunteer and have questions feel free to see the appropriate links in this blog.

Thanks!

A Mother's Diary: Part 3, At Home in the Living Room

2010-04-19T14:50:00.001-07:00

Haven't read Part 2? Click here!

Last bit of part 2, then right to part 3

Soon after, I awoke to another knock on the recovery room door. In walked Yelena carrying Rebecca. Rebecca was wrapped in her mother’s arms. At two years, she was obviously smaller than her peers, but what a cherub; beautiful face of bright blue eyes, platinum blond hair and glowing rosy cheeks. We call her Rosy Posey! Rebecca waved a plump pink hand at me and smiled in her shy way. Yelena sat down with me, as Wendy had done, and shared her two-year journey with Rebecca with me. Like Wendy, she said, “ You can do this! We will help you. There’s lots of support here for you.”

By the time Joann and her son Zachary left me the following day, I had a realistic image of Down Syndrome children, knowledge that our community had many agencies and resources to help raise Mark, a support group, and an armload of pamphlets about raising children with Down Syndrome.

Whatever entity I had directed my Oath to (when I was ten,) was holding me to it.Now I had my chance to redeem my self as Sister Carmella of the Special Needs Child, and the field trip bus was going straight to my house!

Chapter 3: At Home In The Living room

We brought Mark home and set his cradle up in the living room. He slept and was extremely quiet as though he was still finishing his gestation. While he slept, I read. The most influential book was a (working on getting the name). It was almost the only book on caring for an infant with Down syndrome at the time.

Inside there were two children featured throughout the book. The first was a thin little blond toddler with Down Syndrome who slumped as he sat in pajamas that were large and sloppy on him. His sparse hair was dry and his gaze vacant. The other toddler was dressed in cute pajamas. He sat more strongly and his brilliant blue eyes showed a bodily attention in a robust attitude. His bright eyes locked on the camera taking his picture in every pose. Note: In regular child development manuals, the children are usually dressed in stylish clothes!

I made a promise to Mark in those days that he would become as the second child, only always dressed in stylish clothes That visual image glowed in my mind’s eye and sustained me as Mark slept the next few week’s away. When he made any noise at all it sounded like a kitten mewling. There was neither complaint or enthusiasm in it; just the validation,” I’m here.” He breast fed with difficulty, but persisted until he was full, and slept his days away.

In the meantime we were preparing for his Infant Stimulation program. We took off the fuzzy objects on his cradle mobile and replaced them with bold black and white paper designs facing down at him, where his gaze could have no choice but to include them in his field of vision. We duplicated those designs in his crib, over the sink where he bathed, on the back of he car seat he faced in the car seat. Big brother Ryan helped. Then, we lined his cradle with the same shapes but in bright felt shades of color hot glued onto the cradle bumpers. Wherever Mark’s gaze would rest, there would be something easy and familiar to focus on! We read to him, left the TV on and played music of all kinds to fill his world with sound. Mark tolerated his daily bath, but drowsed though it as if it was a welcome return to the womb, Daily infant massage received little reaction as well. Thank heavens, he continue to gain weight.

Waiting for Mark to grow was a challenge of faith. Some days were full of stifled sobs, others we went about daily business as if he wasn’t even sleeping in the living room. Developmental Delays began to take on meaning. We massaged him, took him out with us, kept stimulation up even if he didn’t respond. The idea of Infant Milestones absorbed a surreal juxtaposition to suspended animation.

He took his time deciding to join us, He was giving us the tutorial for raising him on his own terms, and in that, Mark was very clear. It was his life, and he would realize it on own time.

Stay tuned, next week is the Announcement...

Ice Cream Fun Raiser

2010-04-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

Maury Hatch of Vic's Ice Cream is teaming up with DownStream Fly Fishing at Kiene's annual fly fishing expo in Sacramento.

This Saturday the 17th Kiene's fly shop will be hosting their annual fly fishing expo. Thanks to Bill Kiene, DownStream Fly Fishing and Vic's Ice Cream in Sac will be doing a fundraiser at the expo.

Vic's will have a booth at the expo and $3 gets you some of the best ice cream on the planet and 100% of the proceeds goes to DownStream.

We need your support!

Vic's Ice Cream 916-448-0892
Kiene's Fly Shop
More on DownStream

The address is:
Kiene's Fly Shop
2654 Marconi Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95821

Saturday, April 17, 2010, 9am till 5pm

Thank you for coming out and supporting our cause! With your support fly fishing can truly be for everyone.

Ryan Miller

A Mother's Diary: Part 2, Friends in the Recovery Room

2010-04-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

Haven't read the beginning? Go here to read it.

...Dr. Wagner had just gone through the Down syndrome fact checklist from the magazine in the waiting room, and I knew. I watched Steve’s face closely as Dr. Wagner finished his piece.

“Mark may have been born with a genetic condition called Down syndrome, but he is a beautiful baby boy and you should take him home and love him as a baby first and let nothing else get in the way of that.” God Bless Dr.Wagner! He put Mark, with his toes, fingers, ears, eyes, and the creased little hands into our arms and left us to fall in love and untangle our emotions.

Chapter 2: Friends in the Recovery room

The world of the unknown future pressed around our family. Yes, we cried and worried how this would all play out. My mother cried while my father held Mark, and studied him closely.” There’s nothing wrong with this baby,” he said. Luckily Mark was healthy in every way except for a heavy dose of jaundice. He would spend the next seven days sleeping in a bilirubin box, while I paced in anticipation to start his infant stimulation regimen.

The next day after Mark’s delivery, I woke up to see a strange man sitting on the bed next to mine. He had a small frame, gangly, straight black hair and bight blue eyes. He sat calmly sat with hands clasped in his lap, legs hanging down the side of the bed, and huge warm smile focused directly at me. My first thought was, “ How rude is this!” Who is this stranger in my recovery room? Meet Mr. Mike Mann, Alta California Regional caseworker.

I was astounded at this intrusion until I understood he was there to offer support and services for our family. Alta California Regional was there to provide or guide us into finding any services that we would need to raise Mark into a happy healthy child. Our hospital staff routinely called in the local support services for parents when a special needs child was born. Wow!

Not long after Mike left, I heard a riotous laugh and commotion heading my way. A sudden quiet and a tentative knock, followed by a child’s blond head peeking inside at me, gave me the surprise of the day.Wendy Paye followed her daughter Allison into my room, not really asking to visit, but telling me that they would be visiting! More strangers! Sure, why not!

I had Mark in my arms, and without asking, but filling the room with laughter, Wendy put Allison on the bed next to me. Allison was five years old. Stunning blue green eyes met mine in a smile I will never forget. Allison talked about Markie, talked about her family, talked about five year old type things, made me laugh, smile, and then she boldly took out Mark’s tiny feet and counted his ten beautiful toes for me. She could be a miniature talk show host!

I was still reeling with the weirdness of these people marching into the sanctity of my very birthing recovery room, when Wendy told me that Allison too, had Down syndrome. Allison was beautiful, animated, and engaging. Allison would always be my beacon for visualizing what Mark could accomplish and Wendy became the touchstone I would cling to for the inspiration needed to keep expectations high for Mark. SKY HIGH!

part 3 is here...

Feel free to email us with comments, thank you.

The Event: May 22, 2010

2010-04-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

We are nearing the point of no return, show time is near. So far we have 61 volunteers from various fly fishing clubs and organizations all over Northern California. We have 21 students who are eager to pounce on some Rainbow Trout. For some of our students this will be their fourth year at DownStream fly fishing.

It really is an amazing sight to see these kids tackle fly fishing. It always amazes me how well they do.

Sponsors so far include:
Certified Systems
Sac-Sierra Trout Unlimited
Gold Country Fly Fishers

Thanks!

A Mother's Diary: Part 1 Mark was born

2010-04-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

The following is an excerpt from a large compilation of pieces written from the perspective of a mother of a person with Down Syndrome.

... Mark was born. I went into labor three weeks early, without a nursery ready and without any baby lotion on hand. Deep into a surprise labor, I went to Thrifty to get the newborn baby things. No newborn of mine was going to go without baby lotion! Panting in line, the clerk asked me when the baby was due. Soon as you ring this up- so hurry!

Waiting for my husband, Steve at the hospital, the only magazine next to the bed had a cover of ten Down Syndrome teenagers smiling for the camera. It was a crowd of happy teenagers, arms linked in camaraderie, laughing at the photographer. Inside was a list of Down Syndrome facts. Top of the list? “Commonly born three weeks early.” Mark was born at 7lbs 3 ounces. Nice and fat! At the first instant I saw him I suspected Down Syndrome and felt surprisingly comfortable with it. Later, sweet Doctor Wagner brought Mark to us swaddled and clean. In a most loving manner, he began to give us a “tour” of our baby. “Look at these toes, see this wide space between the big toe and the rest of the toes? As long as there were ten toes Steve and I were not impressed! SEE this curve in the little finger? Ahh! Thank heavens there were all ten fingers! See these little ears? Cute as could be! See these elongated eyes? So beautiful! See the long slant of his eyes? Looking back at us was a sleepy newborn. See this straight line across the palm of this hand? Love exploded as I grasped the little hand and it squeezed back.

Dr. Wagner had just gone through the Down syndrome fact checklist from the magazine in the waiting room, and I knew. I watched Steve’s face closely as Dr. Wagner finished his piece... stay tuned for more. NEXT

Be Part of Something...

2010-03-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

DownStream Fly Fishing is dedicated to hosting people with Down Syndrome for an epic day of fly fishing. Our motivation is deeply rooted and we are fully supported by communities. We have begun preparations for the 4th annual event taking place this May.

If you know someone with Down Syndrome in the Sacramento area who would be interested please contact me soon.

If you are interested in volunteering we have nearly 70 spots to fill, please contact me soon. Volunteers will get a great lunch, T-shirt and endless memories.

This event is completely free to participants thanks to our amazing sponsors. To be part of our team of sponsors please contact me to get an information packet. With your support we can do anything.

Thank you,
Ryan

2010-03-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

Check out our Photo Album

2010-03-03T12:16:00.001-08:00

We need your support, check us out to learn more about our program. If you like what we are doing let us know by following us and becoming fans! This is also a great way to keep in touch and see how you might be able to help.

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Thanks for your support.

Returning Sponsors

2010-02-27T11:30:00.000-08:00

I am proud to release our confirmed sponsors for DownStream 2010... so far.

Sac-Sierra chapter of Trout Unlimited

We are off to a great start with help from two great organizations.

Fishing event for Down syndrome youth | TheUnion.com

2010-02-25T10:52:00.001-08:00

http://www.theunion.com/article/20090423/WEBUPDATE/904239989&parentprofile=search

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Recruiting

2010-02-25T09:51:00.000-08:00

I will host 25 people with Down Syndrome this year. Currently I have 20 spots to fill. Contact me soon for more information. Spaces will fill up soon as this is our fourth year doing this and have become quite popular.

Email: rhmiller@gmail.com