Saturday is World Down Syndrome Day and a new University organization is working to spread awareness about the disorder.
Special Ability Guardian Angels has recently been created to spread awareness to the student body about different types of disabilities.
SAGA was officially recognized as an organization in December of 2014. It was founded by the current president, Bailee Jesse. Jesse brought the idea of SAGA to the University due to the personal connection she has with a boy who has Down Syndrome from her hometown.
At home Jesse is a special needs dance coach where she developed a strong relationship with Dylan, a little boy with Down Syndrome who was enrolled in the dance class. After the classes were over, Dylan’s parents asked Jesse to be his nanny and their bond strengthened. It was once she came to the University that she realized how much of an impact Dylan had had on her.
“I felt I needed to do something for him while I was up here,” said Jesse.
Once the initial idea was created, Jesse went about developing what this organization would entail and what its purpose on campus would be.
The mission of SAGA is to educate students about different disabilities and those with special needs, while fundraising for different causes.
“Our mission is to draw awareness to special needs topics each month,” SAGA member Meghan McQueen said.
While Jesse admits that the University has a pretty good overall understanding and accommodations for those with disabilities, she believes there is room for improvement and that SAGA can do that.
“I really would like to see more awareness on campus,” said Jesse.
The organization will be selling blue and yellow ribbons at the Union tables to bring awareness and raise funds to donate to the association.
There will be raffle tickets for sale, with the winner receiving a $15 Chipotle gift card as well as a lollipop tree. Those who donate receive the opportunity to pull from a tree of lollipops and if the end of the sucker is colored, they have the opportunity to win a prize.
In the future, Jesse would like to establish a “buddy program” partnering with local schools and members of SAGA. The idea would be to put members in contacts with those with special needs to help create the same sort of special bond that her and Dylan did.
The first meeting was held a couple of weeks ago with over 15 students showing up interested in becoming members.
