Self Advocate Blog

Changes: Navigating Mental Health

Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I...

A Golden Opportunity: Building Friendships with People with Down Syndrome

Many people do not have a personal connection to a person with Down syndrome. This often contributes to misconceptions about the abilities and lives...

Meal Planning and Nutrition as an Adult with Down Syndrome

I have a system of meal planning with my roommate because we must know what to have for our meals every day. We always sit down and we discuss what...

Changes: Making Your Own Decisions

Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I...

Changes: Shake Off the Winter Blues

Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I...

What World Down Syndrome Day Means to Me

The great importance of having World Down Syndrome Day is to have a very good and respectful world. We need to respect people with Down syndrome. We...

Changes: Loving Relationships

Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I...

Sports and Fitness

How can sports and fitness impact your life? We spoke to Paul Sawka, CDSS's Awareness Leader, about the many activities he has enjoyed as a young...

Changes: Holiday Traditions with Family and Friends

Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I...

Changes: Independence and Self-Advocacy

Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I...

Changes: Selling the Family Home

Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I...

Changes: Sibling Relationships

Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I...

Changes: Dealing with Grief

Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I...

Happy Father’s Day!

Ever since I was born I have grown up with my Dad and all of the wonderful things that he did with me. He is so very special to me and a very...

Happy Mother’s Day!

This Mother’s Day, I want to share with everyone how much love we all have in our hearts for our mothers in the Down syndrome world. The main reason...

Paul’s “Champions” Movie Review

I went and saw the movie “Champions” the other day. This movie was about a new coach teaching a basketball team of people with different...

Behind-The-Scenes at the Special Olympics

Preparing for the Special Olympics Paul's thoughts heading into the Special Olympics Winter Games in February 2023. How are you feeling about...

Celebrate The Holidays with Paul’s Favourite Festive Brownie Miniatures

I love being able to help my mom with the Holiday Baking. It is a family tradition that we enjoy every Christmas season as we get ready for the...

Paul Celebrates Halloween 2022

My plan for Halloween for this year is to be with my friends. We are going to watch a Halloween movie together. I will also be going to a Halloween...

An Interview with Paul Sawka about Friendships

CDSS: What’s your favourite activity to do with friends? Paul: My favourite activity to do with friends is to go out to a movie or dinner. I like to...

Have a Question for CDSS?

Thanks for signing up!