We usually provide an update on the statistical information for the Early Intervention Centre. 1103 families are now registered on Downside Up programmes. 292 families live in Moscow; 114 in the Moscow region; 604 in other regions of Russia and CIS countries.

Our new book "The Cognitive Development of Children with Down syndrome" was published recently. The author, Tatiana Medvedeva, is a cognitive expert at Downside Up. The book advises parents on how to support the process of child cognitive development at home. It will also be useful for teachers who are working with children who have Down syndrome. The book explores the particular learning difficulties of children with Down syndrome and contains valuable advice about exercises and games that can be used. The book will be distributed free of charge.

The Downside Up project "Down syndrome: Myths and Reality" has won a prize in the National public relations competition. Among the other winners were Arkadiy Dvorkovich, the Head of Expert's Governance Committee of the President of Russian Federation; the committee "Sochi-2014" for its communication campaign and the PR department of the company "Rusal." This victory is another step forward in improving the lives of Russian children with Down syndrome!

This year, we are starting a new project: The Friends of Downside Up Club. The Club will maximize the efforts of individual donors by bringing them together. All of your donations will go towards Early Intervention programmes for children with Down syndrome and will count as your annual membership fee. Each Club member can choose their level of support by selecting one of the following membership categories:

• Friends
• Believers
• Associates
• Colleagues

The Russian Challenge ski race took place in Izmailovsky lesopark on 9th February 2008 in aid of Russian children with Down syndrome. The event was supported by the Public Relations Committee of the Moscow government and TNT Express. Thanks to all of the participants we managed to raise over one million rubles!

There were about 80 participants, including private individuals and members of ten corporate teams. The format of the race changed this year to 3 and 6 km distances for individuals and about 7km for the teams. Additionally the teams had to complete a number of tasks whilst skiing through the woods: e.g. shooting, speeding, orientation, scavenger hunting and snow tower building.

The event ended with shashlyk, mulled wine and high spirits! We are very grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the day!

Team Positions

Partners of the Race                 Photo Gallery

We would like to invite corporate teams to participate in our third Indoor Football Tournament in aid of Russian children with Down syndrome. It will be held in Dynamo Football Manege on 12th April 2008. We are delighted to announce that Nike will be the Title Sponsor of this event for the next three years. This means that all contributions from other participating companies will go directly towards the children's programmes. We look forward to your participation! To learn more, please click here...
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On 20th February 2008 DSU presented its new exhibition "People are just people." As a result Downside Up have won the competition set by the XIIth All Russian National Council on solving social problems. The project is based on the idea that each person is unique and even if they have special needs he/she can realize their full potential in terms of humanity and compassion.

The exhibit introduced the stories of nine people with disabilities through their talents and achievements; thoughts and feelings; creativity and sporting victories. An integrated team worked at the exhibition, including people with disabilities. At the Kremlin, the team members invited guests to take part in the creation of a special installation demonstrating the shared experiences that different people have of the world. There are not many examples of successful integration of people with special needs in Russian society. As a result we lack positive experiences and understanding of many wonderful people.

This project was supported by NGO "Perspektiva", Design Studio OSTENGRUPPE, Studio ДЭЗ№5; photographer Anastasia Khoroshilova, producer and operator Dmitry Vladimirov, scenarist Evgenia Vengerova and photo laboratory PROLAB. You can visit the exhibition from 22nd February to 23rd March in Gallery on Solianka (Solianka Street, 1/2, bld.2).

Dear friends! Every year we organize different charity sports events. We use the funds we raise for the Early Intervention programmes for children with Down syndrome. We would be very grateful if you could donate any sports equipment that you no longer use, particularly:

• Cross-country mountain bikes with classic hardtail frame and double-wall wheel rim design. Alivio / Deore / STX- RC class drive train is ideal; rigid fork is also OK;
• Helmets would also be welcome;
• Skis with boots and poles;