Debbie Merkel, Advisory Board President
My name is Debbie Merkel. I am the president of DSAW - Fox Cities I have 3 children, and my youngest child was born with Down syndrome. I became involved with DSAW-Fox Cities to help change the perceptions of people with Down syndrome and take a more active role in shaping my son's future.
My name is Debbie Merkel. I am the president of DSAW - Fox Cities I have 3 children, and my youngest child was born with Down syndrome. I became involved with DSAW-Fox Cities to help change the perceptions of people with Down syndrome and take a more active role in shaping my son's future.
Shanna Buettner, Secretary
Michelle Zoromski, Treasurer
I'm Michelle Zoromski; my husband Brian and I have 5 children. I became involved in the Down syndrome community in 2007, when our daughter Ruby was born. Parenting Ruby taught us so many new and wonderful things, most importantly that Down syndrome isn't scary, and people truly are more alike than different. We adopted our daughter Lilya in 2010 - another beautiful girl with Down syndrome. Volunteering with DSAW Fox Cities has brought many great
people into our lives. Our board constantly strives to make our community more accepting and understanding of people with Down syndrome, and I'm proud to be a part of that mission.
I'm Michelle Zoromski; my husband Brian and I have 5 children. I became involved in the Down syndrome community in 2007, when our daughter Ruby was born. Parenting Ruby taught us so many new and wonderful things, most importantly that Down syndrome isn't scary, and people truly are more alike than different. We adopted our daughter Lilya in 2010 - another beautiful girl with Down syndrome. Volunteering with DSAW Fox Cities has brought many great
people into our lives. Our board constantly strives to make our community more accepting and understanding of people with Down syndrome, and I'm proud to be a part of that mission.
Jennifer Trustem
My name is Jennifer Trustem. I am a DSAW-Fox Cities board member. I have four children and our youngest, Dana, has Down Syndrome. I am a practicing Speech Language Pathologist with experience in both pediatric and adult populations. I hope to be an asset to the board with my knowledge related to developmental and therapy needs of individuals with Down Syndrome. I am very driven to provide new and beneficial opportunities to individuals in the Down syndrome community.
My name is Jennifer Trustem. I am a DSAW-Fox Cities board member. I have four children and our youngest, Dana, has Down Syndrome. I am a practicing Speech Language Pathologist with experience in both pediatric and adult populations. I hope to be an asset to the board with my knowledge related to developmental and therapy needs of individuals with Down Syndrome. I am very driven to provide new and beneficial opportunities to individuals in the Down syndrome community.
Melanie Baeten, Vice-President and Walk Event Coordinator
My name is Melanie and I am a busy mother of 5. My second oldest child, Logan, has Down syndrome. Soon after Logan was born, I knew that I wanted to find a network of other families to share in our journey of raising a child with Down syndrome. That led me to meet many amazing people and eventually to create the first Down Syndrome Awareness Walk in the Fox Cities. Down syndrome awareness is a passion of mine and I am so excited to continue to bring Down syndrome awareness to our area.
My name is Melanie and I am a busy mother of 5. My second oldest child, Logan, has Down syndrome. Soon after Logan was born, I knew that I wanted to find a network of other families to share in our journey of raising a child with Down syndrome. That led me to meet many amazing people and eventually to create the first Down Syndrome Awareness Walk in the Fox Cities. Down syndrome awareness is a passion of mine and I am so excited to continue to bring Down syndrome awareness to our area.
Maria Steenepoorte, Parent Network Coordinator