About Us

The Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Support Group was formed in approximately 1990 by a group of families from Springfield, Illinois, and the surrounding communities for the purpose of providing a support network for families having a member with Down Syndrome. In September of 2001, Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Support Group, Inc., was incorporated in Illinois as a not-for-profit corporation and subsequently became a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In 2004, Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society, Inc., adopted the assumed business name of the Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society (LLDSS) and has continued to operate under that name since its adoption.

LLDSS holds regular monthly meetings in Springfield at which there are general discussions amongst group members regarding their particular life experiences and the activities in which they and their family are involved. We also present programs and provide speakers regarding subjects which are of particular interest to our members, as well as other families having a member with disabilities other than Down Syndrome.

In December of 2000, a group of families, several of whom are also members of LLDSS, began to meet informally to conduct athletic activities (e.g., basketball, bowling, etc.) designed to help children with developmental disabilities, including Down Syndrome, prepare for the local Special Olympics annual competition. That group, which now includes over 30 individuals with disabilities, shares the same goal as LLDSS which is to promote awareness, acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities and to provide them with every opportunity possible. As both groups are working toward common goals, such group became a part of LLDSS in November of 2005, and conducts its activities as the “Chatham Area Special Athletics.”

LLDSS’ principal fundraising activity and primary public event is through its annual Buddy Walk™ held in October of each year at Washington Park in Springfield. Buddy Walks™ were established by the National Down Syndrome Society™ (NDSS) to promote awareness, acceptance and inclusion for people with Down Syndrome. More than 200,000 people in all 50 states now participate in Buddy Walks™ and we are proud to be an affiliate of NDSS™. As an affiliate, a portion of all of the funds raised through our Buddy Walk™ are paid to NDSS™ and are used to benefit local programs and services as well as national education, research and advocacy programs. All of the remaining funds raised during the Buddy Walk™ are used by LLDSS to support our programs and activities and in furthering our goal of promoting awareness, acceptance, inclusion and providing opportunities for children and adults with Down Syndrome.

LLDSS’ programs and activities include providing swim lessons for disabled children of all ages through the local YMCA and horseback riding lessons through cooperation with the local branch of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), sponsorship of individuals and families to attend local and national conferences and seminars, as well as to attend the annual Buddy Walk™ held in St. Louis, Missouri. LLDSS sponsors children to attend various camps, classes and summer programs also provided by the local branch of UCP and conducts social activities and gatherings for members and their extended families. LLDSS also donates to other groups or causes which provide benefit and support to people with Down Syndrome including UCP and the Springfield Parks Foundation for the purchase of accessible playground equipment at Springfield’s Washington Park.

LLDSS will hold its Fourth Annual Golf Outing on May 29, 2009. We hope that the golf outing will offer another opportunity to further our goal of promoting awareness, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.

We welcome anyone interested in joining LLDSS or in partnering with us to help promote our programs.

For more information on LLDSS please contact Tim Rigby at (217) 622-1992. For more information on the Chatham Area Special Athletics, please contact Mary Ellen McNeice at (217) 483-6652.