Ray is president of the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia, a support group for parents and their children with Down syndrome. The group is working to expand a program that provides parents with tools to make their child’s education an everyday part of their lives.
How did you get involved with the association?
My wife and I got involved when my son Matthew was born with Down syndrome. Like any good parents we wanted to give him every advantage. We saw joining and getting involved being the same as what we’d do to help any of our three children get ahead. I’m just trying to be a good dad. I don’t look at it like we’re dealing with a problem. You advocate for your child whatever the circumstances.
Are you concerned that there’s an education gap for children with Down syndrome in Northern Virginia?
Research shows that the earlier you get involved with educating Down syndrome kids the easier it will be for them to keep up when they’re older. At this point, it’s about finding ways to do that and there’s no apparent gap in Northern Virginia’s education. … But budgets are tightening and schools are looking for places to cut. It’s our organization’s job to anticipate these things and prepare for them.
The association currently runs an education program, are you hoping to expand it?
We’re in the running for a grant to expand it. We’d like to reach parents and their children with Down syndrome in as many age groups as possible. The program puts learning in the context of using everyday items to teach. For example, using pictures of grandparents to teach children what a grandparent is. The younger and older we can extend the program, the more helpful it will be.
Is the goal to reach all Down syndrome children in Northern Virginia?
That would be ideal. We’d like to expand our group to cover D.C. and Maryland as well.
— Freeman Klopott
