Marty & Kay McGee

1. Marty & Kay McGee By: Rachel Haggerty

2. Why they became involved in work with people with Down Syndrome: • Marty & Kay gave birth to their fourth child, Tricia McGee, on March 16, 1960 • When Tricia was born she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome • When Tricia was born the doctors told the couple that they needed to place her in an institution • Marty & Kay rejected that advice and took her home to raise her with her siblings

3. View of People with Down Syndrome at that Time: • There were no: • Support systems • Rights to education • Acceptance by society • Most people with Down Syndrome were institutionalized • Marty & Kay, along with other parents, ignored that • They fought that people with Down Syndrome could learn • They said they did belong to society and should be involved in the community

4. The Development of National Association for Down Syndrome: • It was founded in Chicago in 1960 by Kay McGee • Shortly after Tricia was born with Down Syndrome • When the association was started Kay was the president from 1960-1975 • At that time women were not president so some records will state that she was the secretary • The meetings of the committee were held in the McGee home for many years • Kay’s duties were: • Day-to-day running of the organization • Creating flyers (without a computer) • Organizing regular meetings for parents and bringing in specialists in the field to speak

5. The evolution of NADS: • 12 years later with the help of Kay and the NADS the National Down Syndrome Congress was founded • Kay was elected as their Treasurer • 20 years later the National Down Syndrome Society was founded • The NADS continues to provide information through a newsletter, audio/visual programs, print materials, and their website: www.nads.org

6. Parent Support Through NADS: • Kay McGee would go around to hospitals begging nurses to inform them when a baby was born with Down Syndrome • This was obviously before HIPAA • The organization would immediately connect with the new parents • In 1979 NADS, with the help of Kay, developed a program to train parents and provide supports that were needed • Local support groups were started in a variety of areas with different areas of support • Temporary foster care systems were set up (but later dismissed) • Hospital education programs were established to keep medical staff current on Down Syndrome research

7. Adults with Down Syndrome Supports Through NADS • Creation of a center for adults with Down Syndrome in Chicago • Developed a specialized respite care program for adults with Down Syndrome to help families who were in crisis and need immediate interventions • Developed work experience programs for adults with Down Syndrome • Started an adult mentoring program that matched adults with Down Syndrome with a peer from the community to help keep them involved in the community

8. How Kay & Marty McGee Changed the U.S.’s View of People with Down Syndrome: • Kept people with Down Syndrome out of institutions • Arranged for them to be educated • Helped make them a part of the community • Taught their parents the skills they need to raise a child with Down Syndrome • Provided parents with support groups and other methods to gain information about their child • Provided support in times of crisis • Helped make adults with Down Syndrome more involved in the community through work opportunities as well as social opportunities