Local woman to 'Climb Up for Down Syndrome'

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By Erica Dolson, Sentinel Reporter, January 13, 2011

[singlepic id=243 w=320 h=240 float=left]As an early intervention speech pathologist, Emily Player has seen her young clients struggle with basic tasks, from making sounds to speaking.

"They struggle every day with the simplest things," Player said. "(I) never experienced that except through the eyes of a therapist."

That was before she began training for Climb Up for Down Syndrome, her eight-day, 19,340-foot ascent to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

On Wednesday, Player left for Africa, taking with her clothing that she could wear in both the 80-degree heat and humidity at the base of the mountain and the below-freezing temperatures at the peak, and a banner from the Central Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Awareness Group (CPADSAG), the local organization that her climb will benefit.

Player approached Brian Guillaume, CPADSAG's president and co-founder, nearly two years ago to pitch the idea.

"My original reaction was, this could be a huge fundraiser for our group," Guillaume said.

CPADSAG was founded about three years ago with the mission of promoting acceptance and awareness of Down syndrome and empowering individuals with Down syndrome to meet and exceed their dreams.

The organization runs solely on donations and sponsors community social events, family focus nights and a grant program for individuals with Down syndrome.

So far, Player has raised about $5,100 of her $20,000 goal, she said.

Player's son Jared is named for one of her former clients with Down syndrome.

"He (that client) just brings a smile to my face," she said. "Great sense of humor. He love(s) life."

All of Player's clients with Down syndrome have a zest for life, and often a stubborn streak, she said.

"They just embrace life. They're game for anything," she said. "The reason I chose this group is I've seen the impact they made on the children in my case load."

Through her work in early intervention, Player has met children who attended a music class or received physical therapy equipment through CPADSAG's grant program and families who received support and became part of a network because of the family focus nights and social events, she said.

"I can't say I know what it feels like to walk in... (these) families' shoes, but I hope that my efforts in getting ready for this climb will be seen as a symbolic gesture of the supreme efforts these families make each and every day," Player said in a statement.

To train, Player has worked with a trainer for a couple of days each week and hiked the Flat Rock Trail near Newville, the highest altitude change in our area, she said.

"It's not much compared to Kilimanjaro, but it's what I had to work with," she said. "I think I've done everything I can do prepare."

Player will be in Africa until Jan. 28.

As an early intervention speech pathologist, Emily Player has seen her young clients struggle with basic tasks, from making sounds to speaking.

"They struggle every day with the simplest things," Player said. "(I) never experienced that except through the eyes of a therapist."

That was before she began training for Climb Up for Down Syndrome, her eight-day, 19,340-foot ascent to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

On Wednesday, Player left for Africa, taking with her clothing that she could wear in both the 80-degree heat and humidity at the base of the mountain and the below-freezing temperatures at the peak, and a banner from the Central Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Awareness Group (CPADSAG), the local organization that her climb will benefit.

Player approached Brian Guillaume, CPADSAG's president and co-founder, nearly two years ago to pitch the idea.

"My original reaction was, this could be a huge fundraiser for our group," Guillaume said.

CPADSAG was founded about three years ago with the mission of promoting acceptance and awareness of Down syndrome and empowering individuals with Down syndrome to meet and exceed their dreams.

The organization runs solely on donations and sponsors community social events, family focus nights and a grant program for individuals with Down syndrome.

So far, Player has raised about $5,100 of her $20,000 goal, she said.

Player's son Jared is named for one of her former clients with Down syndrome.

"He (that client) just brings a smile to my face," she said. "Great sense of humor. He love(s) life."

All of Player's clients with Down syndrome have a zest for life, and often a stubborn streak, she said.

"They just embrace life. They're game for anything," she said. "The reason I chose this group is I've seen the impact they made on the children in my case load."

Through her work in early intervention, Player has met children who attended a music class or received physical therapy equipment through CPADSAG's grant program and families who received support and became part of a network because of the family focus nights and social events, she said.

"I can't say I know what it feels like to walk in... (these) families' shoes, but I hope that my efforts in getting ready for this climb will be seen as a symbolic gesture of the supreme efforts these families make each and every day," Player said in a statement.

To train, Player has worked with a trainer for a couple of days each week and hiked the Flat Rock Trail near Newville, the highest altitude change in our area, she said.

"It's not much compared to Kilimanjaro, but it's what I had to work with," she said. "I think I've done everything I can do prepare."

Player will be in Africa until Jan. 28.