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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Approximately one in every 700 babies in the
3United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome
4the most common chromosomal condition and about 6,000 babies
5with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The lives of people with Down syndrome have been
7transformed over the past half century; as recently as the
8early 1980s, the average life span of those with Down syndrome
9was 25 years; today, the life expectancy is approximately 60
10years; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The length and quality of life of those with Down
12syndrome have been transformed; today, many adults with Down
13syndrome live semi-independently or even on their own, leading
14healthy and productive lives, complete with jobs, volunteer
15work, recreational activities, and personal relationships; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The Adult Down Syndrome Center of Advocate Medical
17Group at Advocate Lutheran General was established in 1992 at
18the request of leaders of the National Association for Down
19Syndrome (NADS) who desired a clinic for adults with Down
20syndrome; the hospital took a leap of faith and assigned Brian
21Chicoine, MD, the newest faculty member in the Family Medicine
22department, to help launch a practice; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, The Center began a twice-a-month clinic that
2served less than 100 patients; today, it has grown into a
3five-day-a-week primary care practice providing approximately
47,000 patient visits annually, making it the busiest and most
5experienced clinic of its kind in the nation, as well as a
6leader in research, education, and the dissemination; and
 
7    WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, the Center has been
8dedicated to its mission of enhancing the well-being of
9adolescents and adults with Down syndrome using a team approach
10to provide comprehensive, community-based health care
11services; it is guided by three principles: 1) health is more
12than the absence of disease; it involves physical, mental, and
13spiritual well-being; 2) individuals with Down syndrome should
14become active participants in their health care; and 3)
15research, health-promoting education, and the dissemination of
16research findings and best practices in health promotion will
17improve care for people with Down syndrome and foster
18understanding, acceptance, and inclusion; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Dr. Chicoine is supported by a talented staff of
20medical professionals, including a physician, registered and
21licensed dietitian, nurse practitioner, licensed clinical
22social worker, licensed occupational therapist, two patient
23advocates, three certified medical assistants, patient

 

 

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1representative, clinical coordinator, and practice manager;
2and
 
3    WHEREAS, Compared to the general population, adults with
4Down syndrome experience greater incidence of congenital heart
5abnormalities, thyroid problems, obesity, type-1 diabetes,
6vision problems, hearing loss, and Alzheimer's disease; they
7also experience less common conditions such as heart attacks,
8high blood pressure, solid cancer tumors, and strokes; the
9Center's patient database has the potential to be instrumental
10in unlocking these mysteries; and
 
11    WHEREAS, In addition to medical care, the Center's programs
12focus on health promotion and psychosocial skills, training to
13help individuals with Down syndrome lead healthy and productive
14lives; the Center disseminates health promotion resources and
15research findings through collaborations, publications, and
16events that communicate the experience and findings of the
17initiative to people with Down syndrome, their families, and
18health care professionals; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
20ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare March 15,
212017 as Adult Down Syndrome Awareness Day in the State of
22Illinois; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the Adult Down Syndrome Center of Advocate Medical
3Group at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital as an expression of
4our esteem and respect.