Marty & Kay McGeeBy: Rachel Haggerty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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