Down Syndrome Calendar cover 2009

Where has the time gone?

I started out 10 years ago with an idea to create a calendar which thumbed it's nose at the "established" way of doing calendars for charities. I was always of the feeling that if only 12 pictures could be used (1x per month) from an interstate calendar creation from a couple of associations around the country, the chances of seeing kids from our specific association in this state could take years. I also felt at the time I suggested this in the first place, that the process lent itself to being political and selective which I felt then, and now, was wrong.

I suggested at an association committee meeting that we create a calendar for EVERYBODY. No one would be left out. The determining factor was to be up to the people themselves as to whether THEY submitted a picture or not. Once I suggested that, everyone offered their points of view and then unitedly turned to me and said, Well? are you going to do it?

Not having the photoshop skills I possess now and with no prior experience I said "yes", thinking I would start it, do one or two and then someone else would want to take it on. 10 years on, I am still doing it, and still loving it though it is an annual contribution of mine I do not get any payment for whatsoever and consumes around 50 hours of time.

There are lots of people who share the same feelings about the calendar as I do. It has taken on a life of it's own and features in many places around NSW and even interstate. I am grateful to be but a small vehicle to help perpetuate positive images of these tremendous people and help build a well spring of community understanding toward Down Syndrome generally.

This is the cover for 2009!