Monday, July 6, 2009

26. Liftoff


The people have spoken - let's light this candle.

Are you ready to stand up for Down syndrome? The Oz Squad needs you! Join our group of active bloggers and help educate the greater public. Give a voice to those who can't speak. We aren't here to bully, we aren't here to flame, we aren't interested in pushing a political or religious agenda. Our mission is to take a stand online whenever we encounter something cruel or insensitive or inaccurate about people with Down syndrome.

I want to stress again that I am not out to create a club of hyper-sensitive whiners. There is no whining in Oz Squad. But we have all seen extraordinarily insensitive content on Web sites, on blogs, on YouTube, etc. And when someone is clearly asking for it, I'm ready to drop some bombs.

So here's how the Oz Squad works. First, send me your email address, along with your name and the name of your blog/Web site. Don't post this info as a comment - email it to me directly. I'll create a private email list of members, and at some point I'll also create a permanent page for the club with links to all of your blogs. When you see something online that you think we all need to know about it, send me a link (and maybe a brief summary). I'll check it out, and if I think they need to hear from us, I'll send an email to the entire group and we can start commenting in full force. Sound easy enough? Spread the word.

UPDATE: Oz Squad now as an official blog. Visit ozsquad.blogspot.com for the full details.

19 comments:

Monica Crumley said...

Great minds think alike :-) When I started DS Bloggers, it was for a specific purpose of uniting bloggers going to the Convention in Sacramento with the hopes that it would jumpstart something bigger. Your idea is a little different than mine, but definitely related. Thanks for doing this! Of course we want to be included: My name is Monica Crumley -- blog title is "Monkey Musings" at www.monicacrumley.blogspot.com and "DS Bloggers" at www.dsbloggers.blogspot.com

The Sanchez Family said...

Count me in too!
Jennifer Varanini Sanchez at www.trisacharm.blogspot.com and www.dsbloggers.blogspot.com

DownTownDan said...

Even though you don't see many comments here, the response to this project has been fantastic. I'm building quite a list. Feel free to comment here if you like, but if you want to sign up, please email me directly. Monica, Hector, and Jennifer - I've already added you.

To Love Endlessly said...

Sign me up. My name is Patricia Heath and the blog is "To Love Endlessly" at http://bradleyandpatriciah.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

You certainly have some amazing graphic design abilities. Great job on the badge. Good luck on your project.

By the way, do you facebook? If so, would you add me? My link is in my daughter's "E is for Everything" blog.

Thank you

DownTownDan said...

Thanks Rebecca. Unfortunately, I don't do Facebook. Keeping up with a blog and a Web site is more than enough for me.

JoJo said...

Hey, cousin. I don't always have time to get caught up with your now-hectic life, but I sure am proud of what you are doing and the "daddy" you are to your beautiful kids.

Terry fka JoJo
Pacific Northwest

Anonymous said...

Ah I see. I blogged for many years and then had some burn out, just recently started up again.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dan,
I agree with your idea. Right now, I am waiting on a reply from CTV Global Media addressing offensive language used on a host show called, Canada's Next Top Model. Truly, I don't think anything will be done about it...You can read about it on my blog:

www.mylifewithgabriel.blogspot

Your blog and inititative was referred to me by two other bloggers.

My son is four years old, and in that time, I've had a handful of personal experiences where I had to face the use of inappropriate language. Sometimes, I did okay. Sometimes not. It's hard because facing the countless mean spirited comments on YouTube, or the cold scientific justifications of the pompous who write online, sometimes the fight for educating the public seems endless. I'm learning to pick and choose my battles, I guess.

I'm just tired of people dehumanizing other people with disabilities because they can. My hope is that, one day soon, we won't have to advocate as strongly as we must now.

Cori Sarno Villacres said...

I think that is a great idea!
My name is Cori Sarno Villacres. My blog is "Our Bundle of Joy"
www.ourbundleofjoey.blogspot.com

Jill said...

Sign me up...I saw this just the other day on Lisa's blog and I visited your site with the intention of signing up then....but got interrupted with who-knows-what....and wow how good news travels fast! I"m already seeing the badge on friend's blogs, and I want in the club!
Jill Kocian (like "ocean")
www.riversofjoy21.blogspot.com

The Hapa Girl said...

Well, I'm falling a little bit behind, but I would love to be part of this! My name is Sonia and my blog is www.hapagirlhapafamily.blogspot.com

Michelle said...

Would love to be included although. our blog is www.ourfamilywebpage.blogspot.com. Haven't blogged in a few weeks because of our move but will start back up soon:)

Stephanie said...

Love it. Would love to be a part of this. We just started blogging. Our blog is at http://ourlittlemanhasmoore.blogspot.com

My e-mail is: stephani.wyatt@att.net

Thanks!

Stephanie

Lori said...

I would love to be a part of this. I don't like posting my email address on comment forms as spiders can pick it up but if you get some online sign up form going, let us know. In the meantime I am now a follower of your blog now! Thanks from a mother of a 7 year old darling daughter who just happens to have Down Syndrome.

Lori Sevedge
Special Connection Homeschool at
http://specialconnectionhomeschool.blogspot.com/

Far Above Rubies said...

This is wonderful. Count me in.

Far Above Rubies said...

Daniel,

My email is jascucuta@yahoo.com and my blog is www.jasminecucuta.blogspot.com

My name is Jasmine Cucuta.

This is great!!!!!

DownTownDan said...

Hi everyone - Dan here. Several people who want to join are posting their info here as a comment. If you don't mind, please email it to me instead.

Beverly said...

count me in. love your blog and idea!