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Support is the backbone of our organization. It is the reason this organization began: to offer support for parents of individuals with Down Syndrome and individuals with Down syndrome. It has grown to offer support to educators and healthcare professionals as well as parents of individuals with other disabilities and other individuals with other disabilities.
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Monthly Support Group Meetings
The Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society hosts monthly support group meetings. Attendees are welcome to bring their concerns, ideas, and information to share with others. All are invited... teachers and other professionals are welcome to share their experiences and knowledge. For more information on upcoming meetings, click here.
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Meeting Locations:
Paris, Texas (REACH Center at 6325 Lamar Road in Reno)
Texarkana, Texas (Opportunities Inc at 6101 N. Stateline)
Sulphur Springs, Texas (location has changed)
Bonham, Texas (Burtis Home, 1305 Pine in Bonham)
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New/Expectant Parent Packets
A packet of information is available to new parents of babies born with Down syndrome at the hospital, when the prenatal diagnosis is made, or anytime a parent new to our organization wishes to receive one. The packets contains information about Down syndrome as well as growth charts and contact information about the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society as well as a RRVDSS bib and the book GIFTS. We are in the process of adding more items to our packets including reading materials, videos, and such. If you know of a new parent who would like to receive a new parent packet, please contact RRVDSS at
(903) 783-1922 or at info@rrvdss.org.
Baby Buddies
When a new baby with Down syndrome is born, the parents are given the option of having a "baby buddy" assigned to their family. A "baby buddy" is a parent/member of RRVDSS who offers support and advice in the first year of the baby's life (the most difficult time for most parents of children with disabilities).
Organized Sports Programs
We often find that our children with DS would like to play in a regular sports league, but often are not able to due to the increasing competitiveness and physical limitations. RRVDSS offers Buddy Baseball to all individuals with intellectual and physical disabilites and is in the process of adding more sports to our overall program. If you would like to find out more about Buddy Baseball, click on the heading above.
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REACH Center
A lifelong learning center which houses the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society's main office is located at 6325 Lamar Road in Reno, Texas (Walnut Village Shopping Center).
Hours are 9:30am - 3:00pm or as volunteers are available to work.
Call 903-783-1922 or 877-273-4045 for more information.
Support Personnel
RRVDSS has a history of parallel support for our members. Members are always encouraged to share their experiences and advice with other members whether they are parents, teachers or healthcare professionals. We have a staff member at the REACH center which enables parents, educators, and healthcare professionals access to a representative of the organization at any time. Our staff member and board members are available to anyone who wishes to discuss the organization, issues that they might be having with a child or student with DS or other disability, or just needs information regarding Down syndrome or another disability. Our staff member can also act as a liasion between other members to connect those members who could benefit from each other's knowledge and also between parents and the schools when needed. To contact our office or any of the board members, please call (903) 783-1922 or e-mail info@rrvdss.org.
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