our story
We are parents, grandparents, doctors, educators, registered nurses, social workers and other business professionals interested in improving the quality of life of all people with Down syndrome.
What we do
DS Action holds quarterly meetings in San Diego to identify the unmet needs of people with Down syndrome and to find creative solutions to meeting those needs.
As an example, DS Action determined that many children with Down syndrome do not receive the same level of recommended medical and developmental care, and that parents often find it difficult to get referrals to a variety of available intervention services.
To meet this need, DS Action worked to establish a Down Syndrome Center, where all children with Down syndrome would have an equal opportunity of receiving recommended evaluations, referrals and intervention services. Working with Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego, DS Action has made this idea a reality.
The Down Syndrome Center is a much needed resource to the entire region of Southern California as well as neighboring jurisdictions including Mexico.
DS Action is affiliated with the National Down Syndrome Society(NDSS) and National Down Syndrome Congress(NDSC).
Board of Directors
Sharla Hank
Sharla Hank is the current President and Co-Founder of DS Action. She also has a focus on Fundraising and Communications. She grew up in the Chicagoland area and moved to San Diego in 2001. Sharla is a proud wife and mother of two children, a son and daughter. Her oldest child, Adam, born in 2005, has Down syndrome and was also diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2008. At that time, Sharla and her husband, Mike were expecting their second child. Her daughter, Nicole was born with a submucosal cleft palate, which was repaired when she was 5 months old. After over 3 years of treatment, Adam regained his strength and is a cancer survivor. Her children continue to teach their family the importance of life.
Prior to her commitment to DS Action, Sharla was a Vice President with Union Bank of California, where she managed the ATM Department. She has also worked with families as an American Sign Language Instructor. Over the past few years, Sharla worked as the Business Operations Manager at the Catholic Community Foundation in San Diego. Currently, she is an active member of the Accessibility Advisory Board for The City of San Diego.
Christine Franey
Christine Franey is the Vice President of DS Action. Christine has 3 children, a daughter and 2 sons, her daughter Katherine (KC) has Down syndrome. She has been a volunteer with DS Action since 2007 and officially joined the board of directors in November 2014. She uses her talents as a graphic designer and her passion for photography to help DS Action by creating all of the print materials for each event. She is also the director of social media and website maintenance. Prior to becoming a stay home mom, Christine worked as an optician for 10 years before earning her AA degree in graphic design.
Christine discovered her passion for advocating for people with Down syndrome soon after her daughter was born in 2002, and has worked as an SAI aide at a local elementary school.
She lives in San Marcos with her family.
Julie Ilaoa
Julie Ilaoa currently holds the position of Secretary with DS Action; an assignment very near and dear to her heart. Julie is also working as a parent liaison for special needs families, to the school board in the city they reside. Both opportunities have allowed her continued focus on her most passionate calling.
Previously, Julie had an extensive career covering a broad range of professional commitments from Property Management to Marketing, Asset Management and Design for a Nationwide Development firm. These professional accomplishments, although very rewarding, have prepared her for her most challenging role to date, becoming a Mom.
Julie’s passion for the Down syndrome and Special Needs community stems from the birth of her and husband Jr’s beautiful son, Aiden. Aiden has Down syndrome and has overcome several medical challenges in his young life. Aiden’s strength and love for family and friends is a source for daily inspiration to all that are blessed to be a part of his life.
Julie and her family reside in San Marcos, California
Marlene swanson
Marlene was born and raised in San Diego, CA. Although she has always lived in the city, she is a country girl at heart who loves her boots and all things cowgirl! Dancing & public speaking are at the top of her list as well. Marlene is a wife and mother and she is proud of her 2 precious children. Her son is an Airman in the USAF and his younger sister, Desiray, has Down Syndrome. They both love to dance too and drama. Marlene has been volunteering with DS Action for at least 11 years and is a returning board member. Another of Marlene’s passions is serving others, which she does in one way as a Certified Health & Life Coach. She is looking forward to continuing service to the local DS community.
Charles Farrow
Graduated UCLA
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant University, CSPP-SD
Dr. Charles Farrow holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant University. His private practice focuses on stress management, relationship issues, self-esteem, and adjusting to life’s most challenging situations. Dr. Farrow sees clients in his Rancho Peñasquitos office or via video.
Dr. Farrow attended University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) for a BS in Psychobiology. He completed his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the California School for Professional Psychology at Alliant University in San Diego, which is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Dr. Farrow completed his clinical training at Scripps Mercy Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco, after completing his predoctoral training at the UCLA Developmental Disabilities Program, Aseltine School, Catholic Charities community center, and UCSD Head Injury Center. Dr. Farrow has published work on issues related to how emotions and cognition interrelate as well as on neuropsychology. Dr. Farrow has instructed undergraduate courses at Alliant University in San Diego and has supervised doctoral students of the joint doctoral program at UCSD/SDSU and for Alliant University in San Diego. Dr. Farrow has been in private practice since 1992 and he has helped persons at various hospitals over the years including Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, Kindred Hospital San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego, Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, and UCSD. He has presented on a host of topics including parenting strategies and helping family persons of various ages cope with a host of medical diagnoses such as cancer, cerebral-vascular accidents, acquired brain injury, as well as how to behaviorally control tic disorders. Dr. Farrow is a member of both the California Psychological Association (CPA) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Dr. Farrow has served the community through the San Diego chapter of the Jesuit Institute of Family Life International (JIFLiNET) (often as the coordinator/director) since 2005 and through the board of DS Action (often in the Professional Advisory Committee) since 2008. In addition to his work with executives and very high-functioning clientele, Dr. Farrow has provided clinical as well as personal volunteer services to under-served populations including poverty-level immigrants.
Personally, Dr. Farrow has been happily married since 1983, has raised four children (born between 1989 and 2008 – the youngest of which has Down Syndrome), and is bilingual and bicultural (Cuban American). In 2015, he founded the Special Needs ministry at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, where he continues to volunteer. He also has previously volunteered in the faith formation and music ministries at the same church since 1995.
Advisory board members
Lawrence Zucker II, Esq.
Lawrence is lead counsel for the board and a Senior Associate at Haight Brown & Bonesteel, LLP. His practice focuses on premises liability, product liability, personal injury and construction defect litigation. He earned his undergraduate degree from San Diego State University and a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.