Self Advocate Blog
Voices of Adults with Down Syndrome
Who We Are: A World Down Syndrome Day Reflection
This year for World Down Syndrome Day, CDSS Awareness Leader Paul Sawka wanted to reflect on life with Down syndrome, who the Down syndrome...
Make A New Friend This Valentine’s Day
About Loneliness and Friends Young people and not so young people, like me, can get very lonely and sad. I know what that sadness feels like when no...
My Adventures Travelling the World by Paul Sawka
CDSS Awareness Leader Paul Sawka lives in Alberta and he has travelled many places across Canada and around the world. We asked him several...
Using Technology for Independence and Self-Expression
Technology in My Everyday LifeMost technology these days is very important for life. It can empower you even when things are very hard or difficult....
Healthcare and Getting Older
Health is something that is very important. It keeps us going. It keeps us fit and strong. Understanding your health is important. Building Healthy...
Growing Up with Down Syndrome
When I was young, my sister and my parents, of course, made me feel safe and loved. And my grandparents who are no longer with me now and also my...
Stop Alberta’s AISH Clawback of the Canada Disability Benefit
When the federal government introduced the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), it was meant to offer a long-overdue boost to people with disabilities...
What Life with Down Syndrome Is Like: Q&A with Self Advocate Paul Sawka
What Life with Down Syndrome is Like: Q&A with Self-Advocate Paul Sawka Hello, everyone. My name is Paul Sawka. I am the CDSS Awareness Leader....
Making Independence Possible: Why Support Matters
I have had many people support me in the past and in the present in lots of different ways. These are the types of support that I have received over...
Federal Election 2025: Key Issues for Canadians with Disabilities
Make These Issues a Priority in the Upcoming Federal Election1. Income Security and the Canada Disability Benefit Increase payments so recipients...
Building, Singing, and Dreaming Big: My Creative Hobbies
One of my favourite hobbies is woodworking with my Dad. I started a long time ago when I was still in my teenage years and I did a woodworking...
Paul’s 2024 Year in Review
Holiday Greetings!Hey Friends, I would like to tell you what I have been up to this year. I have been continuing with my ukulele lessons in person...
Supportive Roommates: Paul and Winnie’s Story of Independent Living
What is it like living with a supportive roommate? Through this interview, CDSS Awareness Leader Paul Sawka and his new roommate Winnie share their...
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...
Have a Question for CDSS?
If you’re looking for more information about Down syndrome, ask us a question today and we may write a blog post about it.