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Down Syndrome

Lifestyle
North Jersey Native Captures Hearts On Hit Netflix Dating Show North Jersey Native Captures Hearts On Hit Netflix Dating Show
North Jersey Native Captures Hearts On Hit Netflix Dating Show People all over the world are falling in love with Rachel Osterbach, a North Jersey native featured on hit Netflix show "Love on the Spectrum." In its third season and first in America, LOTS follows adults on the Autism spectrum on a quest to find love. WARNING: This story contains spoilers. Rachel, who grew up in Bergenfield before moving to Los Angeles, has Down Syndrome and made her TV debut on A&E's "Born This Way." The sweet, 39-year-old redhead dates LOTS cast member Subodh. Together, they share a meal and fly a kite before Rachel meets Subodh's parents — wearing a dress covered…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Tears Flow For NJ Mom, Non-Profit Founder Who Fought Fiercely For Kids With Disabilities Tears Flow For NJ Mom, Non-Profit Founder Who Fought Fiercely For Kids With Disabilities
Tears Flow For NJ Mom, Non-Profit Founder Who Fought Fiercely For Kids With Disabilities North Jersey single mom Joanne Bastante-Howard worked tirelessly for years to help provide critical resources for kids who, like her young son, John, have Down syndrome. Bastante-Howard, a former advertising and marketing whirlwind, was personally responsible for raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help obtain critical medical, education and therapeutic services for those in need through the non-profit she founded, America's Special Kidz (A.S.K.). Parents of children with a wide range of circumstances -- including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, and mitochondrial disease…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Cancer-Fighting Police Departments Unite For Stricken North Jersey Mom, Young Son Cancer-Fighting Police Departments Unite For Stricken North Jersey Mom, Young Son
Cancer-Fighting Police Departments Unite For Stricken North Jersey Mom, Young Son North Jersey single mom Joanne Bastante-Howard has worked tirelessly for years to help provide critical resources for kids who, like her young son, have Down syndrome. Bastante-Howard, a former advertising and marketing whirlwind, is personally responsible for raising more than $100,000 to help obtain critical medical, education and therapeutic services for those in need through the non-profit she founded, America's Special Kidz (A.S.K.). Parents of children with a wide range of circumstances -- including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, and mitochondrial disease -- have turned t…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Cancer-Fighting Local Bergen Police Departments Unite For Stricken Mom, Young Son Cancer-Fighting Local Bergen Police Departments Unite For Stricken Mom, Young Son
Cancer-Fighting Local Bergen Police Departments Unite For Stricken Mom, Young Son North Jersey single mom Joanne Bastante-Howard has worked tirelessly for years to help provide critical resources for kids who, like her young son, have Down syndrome. Bastante-Howard, a former advertising and marketing whirlwind, is personally responsible for raising more than $100,000 to help obtain critical medical, education and therapeutic services for those in need through the non-profit she founded, America's Special Kidz (A.S.K.). Parents of children with a wide range of circumstances -- including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, and mitochondrial disease -- have turned t…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Kearny Man With Love Of Birthdays Dies Of Coronavirus On His 30th, Days After Mom Kearny Man With Love Of Birthdays Dies Of Coronavirus On His 30th, Days After Mom
Kearny Man With Love Of Birthdays Dies Of Coronavirus On His 30th, Days After Mom A Kearny man with a love of birthdays died of coronavirus on his 30th -- nine days after the virus took his mom. Thomas Martins, who had Down syndrome, died of the virus on April 6. His mom, Carolyn Martins-Reitz -- a graphic designer for the Archdiocese of Newark -- passed away March 28 at Clara Maas Medical Center. Surviving them are Reitz' husband and Martins step-dad Rudy Reitz, who mourns alone with his daughter -- Martins' half-sister -- Sharon Reitz. Carolyn and Thomas, born in Belleville, were "each other's whole word," Rudy told BuzzFeed News. The doting mom made sure her son was…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
'Lifesaver' Helps Bergen Sheriff's Officers Find Missing Teaneck Man, 70, With Dementia 'Lifesaver' Helps Bergen Sheriff's Officers Find Missing Teaneck Man, 70, With Dementia
'Lifesaver' Helps Bergen Sheriff's Officers Find Missing Teaneck Man, 70, With Dementia A 70-year-old Teaneck man with dementia who wandered from home was found by Bergen County sheriff's officers thanks to a Project Lifesaver wristband transmitter. BCSO Officers Patrick Doyle and Joseph LaBarbera found the man about a mile from home Tuesday night, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton said. “Utilizing the technology from Project Lifesaver, our responding officers were able to quickly track, locate, and return the missing individual to his home," Cureton said. The rapid-response Project Lifesaver International program is designed to locate adults and children who have gone mi…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Girl With Down Syndrome Repeatedly Bitten At Elizabeth School Girl With Down Syndrome Repeatedly Bitten At Elizabeth School
Girl With Down Syndrome Repeatedly Bitten At Elizabeth School The family of a nonverbal eight-year-old girl is demanding answers after she was bitten by another student in her special needs classroom in Elizabeth.  Emily, who has Down syndrome, suffered six bites while attending class at School 22 Thursday.  School officials say another special needs student bit Emily, adding that the first day of school is often disorienting for children with special needs.  Superintendent of Schools Olga Hugelmeyer issued a statement after video of the child was posted to social media. Hulgelmeyer's statement appears in full after the social media post.   “A third…

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by Paul Milo
Business
Chatham Family's Son With Special Needs Inspires New Downtown Restaurant Chatham Family's Son With Special Needs Inspires New Downtown Restaurant
Chatham Family's Son With Special Needs Inspires New Downtown Restaurant A Chatham family held the grand opening for their new restaurant on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Sorriso Kitchen on Main Street offers breakfast, lunch and more -- including a full day of training for members of the special needs community. More than $31,000 had been raised on a Kickstarter campaign to help the Bellas family open its restaurant. "Sorriso means 'smile' in Italian and is the name of our new breakfast and lunch eatery inspired by our son, LJ who has Down Syndrome and brings a smile to everyone he meets," the family wrote. Bellas familyFacebook Bellas BrothersSorriso Kitchen "O…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Having Down Syndrome Gives Hackensack Karate Black Belt Greater Purpose Having Down Syndrome Gives Hackensack Karate Black Belt Greater Purpose
Having Down Syndrome Gives Hackensack Karate Black Belt Greater Purpose Almost everyone at Retro Fitness of Hackensack seems to know Alex Rivera. The 37-year-old is rarely without a red Gatorade and look of determination on his face. He's got a black belt in karate, too, and isn't afraid to tell you that's why he's at the gym -- training to become a better fighter. He's affable. Social. Hardworking. Oh yeah, and he has Down Syndrome.  Alex has never let his disability hold him back nor define him. Instead, he's using it to get further and help others do the same. "I'm a role model," he said proudly after a routine training session last Thursday. …

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by Cecilia Levine