Judge Denies Guardianship to for Groom-to-Be with Down Syndrome

Talk about self-direction and person-centerd planning ... powerful decision.

A Brooklyn Surrogate Court judge denied a guardianship petition sought by family members of a 29-year-old man with Down Syndrome, saying their objection to him marrying was an insufficient basis for appointing them guardians.

Surrogate Court Judge
 Margarita López Torres

"The right to have a family of one's own is not reserved only for persons with no disabilities," Surrogate Margarita López Torres said, "and the yearning for companionship, love, and intimacy is no less compelling for persons living with disabilities."

Saylor Family Files Wrongful Death Suit

A federal court will decide who, if anyone, is responsible for the death of Robert Ethan Saylor.

Patti Saylor outside Maryland
State House.

Saylor, 26, died in January as he was being forcibly removed from the Regal Cinemas Westview Stadium 16 theater by off-duty sheriff’s deputies moonlighting as mall security guards.

Woman Grants Wishes to Those with Downs

WILLISTON PARK, N.Y. — An Ulster County woman is working to grant wishes for people with Down syndrome.
“People aren’t always very kind so I just felt this was one way to honor people with Down syndrome and helping them have something special for themselves,” Kim Adams told CBS 2′s Cindy Hsu.
Kim Adams works as a CAT Scan technician, but spends even more hours working with Gifts From the Heart for Downs, which she founded in July 2010. She decided to grant wishes all over the country after facing the challenges of getting what she needed for her children. She adopted Judy and Matthew when they were babies. Matthew is now 17 and Judy is 12.

High-Tech Home Offers Independence for Man with Down Syndrome

MINNEAPOLIS -- On a recent tour of his home, Jeremy Collins showed off his kitchen, his chair, his bed, his new shower.

It's a dream come true for the 31-year-old who has Down syndrome, and who had lived in group homes all of his adult life. Since April, he's lived on his own in a Coon Rapids townhouse, with a web of support that includes his parents, his caregivers and landlords, Anoka County and a technology company that all work together to help him be safe and continue to grow in independence and confidence.