Improving the Lives of Children with Disabilities

Kindering Center’s James May was given the President's Award by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) at the National Down Syndrome Society Awards Luncheon on July 24, 2004, in Washington, D.C.  The award reads as follows:  The National Down Syndrome Society honors James May, M.A., M.Ed. for his exemplary leadership, vision and dedication to the Dads Movement.   

James May has been involved with families and young people as an educator and counselor for more than 40 years.  For almost two decades he has directed the Washington State Father’s Network.  A program of the Kindering Center in Bellevue, and the only statewide program of its kind in the United States, the Washington State Father’s Network provides support and resources for men raising children with special health care needs and developmental disabilities.  With 16 statewide programs, the WSFN serves more than 2,000 fathers and family members.  The program speaks with a powerful voice to dads, assisting them to face their losses and embrace the extraordinary learnings their children offer them. 

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the President’s Award,” explains May.  “Almost 20 years ago, when I started to work with Dads, there were few supports for them. Worse yet, there was little or no expectation they would want to be involved. The result was profound emotional and physical isolation. We now know that in supporting men we are supporting the entire family.  I have met and worked with thousands of men over the past two decades. They have deeply touched and blessed my life. Indeed, they are my heroes. They know more about what it truly means to be a father than any men I know, and I have received much more than I have given.”