Former Don Bosco football player Divitto inspired by sister

by Jeff Roberts from The Record:
The voice on the other end of the phone kept him going.
Every night Steele Divitto made the call, sitting in someone else’s house, lounging on someone else’s bed.
The former Don Bosco linebacker spent the winter back in New Jersey, chasing his dream of reaching the NFL. His two-a-day training sessions for Boston College’s March pro day had him run all morning. Lift in the afternoon. Squeeze physical therapy in between. And then he would return to the gym at 8 or 9 p.m. for one-on-one workouts.
But at the end of each grueling day, Divitto knew his older sister, Collette, was waiting to hear from him. She was born with Down syndrome, but never allows it to stop her from doing anything. So Divitto cannot allow anything to stop him.
"She’s a huge inspiration," he said. "She’s one of the most amazing people in my life. I’m so blessed to have her. I’m her biggest fan. She’s my biggest fan.
"At the end of the day, I do it for her."

Boise cheerleader with Down syndrome inspires teammates

by Ashley M. Williams from USA Today:
Rachel Massingale, a cheerleader for Centennial High School in Boise, is doing more than just firing up crowds -- she's inspiring them.
Rachel, who has Down syndrome, has proved to all those around her what's possible when you're determined to reach your goals. Cheerleading coach Melissa Casey says not only has she been able to learn 52 cheers, but she "has even added her own little spirit to them."
Her teammates praise her for her incredible passion and the joy that she brings to everyone .
"I am very inspired by Rachel; I think she's taught us all a lot," teammate Mika Muta told KTVB. "She always gives 100%."

Jim Dial, who served as judicial center mail clerk for 11 years, died Friday morning at the age of 50

from the Covington News:
Beloved local Jim Dial, who served as judicial center mail clerk for 11 years, died Friday morning at the age of 50.
Dial, who had down syndrome, was known for his sunny personality and loving attitude. He inspired the same attitudes in others.
“For me, Jim was just an inspiration as to how we all should live life to its fullest, and with his challenges he did that. He was an inspiration on how we should all look at life, with or without challenges,” said Superior Court Judge Horace Johnson.
Dial was first appointed to deliver mail to the courts by former county chairman Davis Morgan; fellow employees often praised Dial’s dedication.
“Jim just came in and stole everyone's heart,’’ said Superior Court Clerk Linda Hays at a reception for Dial in 2009. "We look out for him - from the bottom of the building to the top. And I think that having him here has given us all an insight into down syndrome. We have all learned how intelligent he is and what a sense of humor he has. He has a heart bigger than the whole state, and he takes him job very seriously.’’

An Awe-Inspiring Showing of Support: another truth about Down syndrome walks

by Mark Leach from DownSyndromePrenatalTesting.com:

Tomorrow is my local organization’s annual charitable walk to kick off October being National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. I can’t wait.

Last week, as part of a blog hop, I posted “The Truth about Down Syndrome Walks.” In that post, the truth shared was that Down syndrome walks can be overwhelming. And, they indeed can be for the reasons I mentioned in the earlier post. But here’s another truth:

Down syndrome walks are an awe-inspiring showing of support.

We’re now less than 24 hours away from our annual walk, and I must admit that I am eager with anticipation for tomorrow. This is something I could not have fathomed before our daughter was born.

Before then, I had occasionally participated in other charitable walks. My firm sponsors many of them and I would often come out as a show of support for our firm team. One year, my participation went beyond the call of duty by my entry into a “Dude Looks Like a Lady” contest for the American Heart Association’s Walk. I believe photographic evidence is still out there in cyberspace.

5 Inspiring Latinos with Down Syndrome

by Paloma Corredor from VOXXI.com:

As things are slowly changing, more and more people with Down syndrome are making a difference.

One of them is definitely Angela Bachiller, the first councilwoman with Down syndrome, who has just taken office at the city council in Valladolid, Spain. Bachiller, a lively 30 years-old who defines herself as friendly, positive, tenacious and stubborn, had been working in the area of social welfare and family as an administrative assistant for three years. She wants to work to give visibility and opportunities to other people with special needs.

Like Bachiller, other people with Down syndrome not only are achieving their goals, but they are showing the world that, unlike the common perception until very recently, they can do just as many things as any other person. Some of them are Latino, and these are their stories.

Born with Down syndrome, Newark man wins respect powerlifting

by Kelly Bothum from The News Journal:
Sitting at the kitchen table in his family’s Newark home, Jon Stoklosa comes across as a laid-back, almost shy guy. He answers questions with a word, preferring instead to look out the backyard window and let his parents, Hank and Liz, do the talking.
But the medal he clasps in his right hand offers a glimmer of the personality that hides beneath his sturdy 5-foot-5 frame.

It’s from a recent powerlifting competition in upstate New York, one where he bench-pressed a personal best of 402.5 pounds and came in third in his age division. He also picked up the “Most Inspirational” award, a unanimous choice by other competitors, many of whom gathered to watch the 31-year-old make his lifts.
Friends and family say Jon, who was born with Down syndrome, is an example of what is possible when people aren’t tethered by labels.
In addition to being able to bench-press more than 400 pounds, Jon can squat 440 pounds and dead-lift an identical amount. He has excelled at the sport, winning a gold medal in the Special Olympics World Games in 1999.

Disability Doesn't Even Slow Down Bridget Brown

From being the first student with Down syndrome mainstreamed in her school district to starting her own advocacy organization, Bridget Brown's journeys are far and wide

Living like a movie star for a week, Bridget Brown of Darien had a small part in a movie with Miley Cyrus. Brown also has her own consulting business, works as a dental assistant’s assistant and has many more jobs in life few of us would ever conquer. 

Having Down syndrome, the 27-year-old woman is considered to be disabled, but you would never know by the full life she leads.

Brown was the first person with a disability included in her school district and is a strong advocate of inclusion. Among her dislikes is hearing someone be insulted.

"Don’t call people retarded," Brown says. "I got called that, I was angry and wanted to cry.”   

Another fight Brown goes up against is mothers who want to abort their babies when they find out the baby has Down syndrome.

"Think of other options," she says. "Have the child. There are many couples that would take a child with Down syndrome. There are support groups. One is the National Association of Down Syndrome. I will even talk to you if you are thinking of getting rid of the baby. Give it a try. Then adopt."

Bridget and her mom, Nancy, are best friends. 

"When I see my mom," Brown explains, "I’m reminded of my grandma. I can tell how much love my grandparents had and I wanted that."

Q. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

A. My biggest challenge is learning to live a full life with a disability and being an advocate for myself and for others. 

Toddler with Down syndrome who inspired "Banana Split Parties" worldwide passes away

from The Daily Mail by Kristie Lau and Snejana Farberov:
Ryan Roberts, the 22-month-old terminally ill toddler who inspired thousands of families to host ‘Banana Split’ parties for their kids, passed away on Sunday.
His mother, Diane Roberts, posted on her Facebook page that her son ‘fought as in typical Ryan fashion - he ignored our words telling him it was OK to go.’
‘At approximately 12:10 while I held Ryan in my arms and daddy held him as well – surrounded by so many who loved him Ryan drew his last breath. He is without oxygen, medicine, tubes, wires, and HURT – he is at peace,’ Mrs Roberts wrote.

The night before his passing, the little boy slept peacefully, Roberts told TODAY Moms. ‘His monitor did not beep the entire night,’ she said. ‘He had a fabulous night.’
Four weeks ago, Diane and Erik Roberts, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, made the heart-rending decision to issue a Do Not Resuscitate order for Ryan when they were told by his doctors that after four surgeries, there is nothing else that can be done for their son.
Ryan was born on September 12, 2010, with Down syndrome compounded by a congenital heart defect.

His story captured the hearts of people the world over after his mother asked parents to serve their children banana split desserts for dinner as a way to create lasting memories in her son’s honor.
'Who cares if your children don't get their veggies one night for dinner, allow them to "break the rules" for just one night and think of a special little boy while you're doing it!!' the Facebook invitation read.

A friend created a Ryan's Banana Split Party page on Facebook, and more than 76,000 people have responded, posting photos from their ‘Banana Split’ parties.
Photos from as far as Abu Dhabi, South Korea and Italy have been posted on the page as support from all over the world continues to pour in.
Mrs Roberts told HLNtv.com in June: 'We're just shocked at all these Banana Split parties that are going around for Ryan. Who would have thought a 21-month-old could have brought so many smiles to so many faces?'
Knowing that their son was quickly slipping away, his parents spent the past weeks checking items off a special bucket list they created for him made up off all the things he could have experienced if given the chance to grow up.
Ryan got a fake tattoo, was issued a 'speeding ticket' by visiting Pittsburgh police officers, rode a bike and shared a (root) beer with his dad to celebrate his 21-month-birthday.

‘He's a real bad ass,’ his mother said jokingly at the time.
Last week, the Roberts family spent the Fourth of July together at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where they took Ryan to the roof of the parking garage to watch the fireworks.
He fell asleep before they were launched, Mrs Roberts said, ‘but we were all there together.’
His parents did not expect Ryan to go quite so soon, having thought that he had a couple more weeks left.
‘Last Sunday, I was lying out on the grass with him,’ his mother said. ‘The next Sunday, he was gone.’
Family and friends will gather on Friday for a private celebration of Ryan's life in Pittsburgh. Others who wish to honor Ryan can do so by writing memorial messages on balloons and releasing them into the sky at 8.30pm on Friday.

prom dream comes true for girl with Down syndrome

from 5 KSDK by Kristen Gosling:


It was quite the prom night for Kentucky high school senior Taryn Mains.
The Mason County High School senior, who has Down syndrome, had her dreams come true when her prince charming escorted her to prom.
As Taryn and her student tutors, who are also her friends, look through photographs from Saturday night, they reminisce about that special night.
Treg Setty, a 6'9" basketball player at Southern Illinois says he'd always had a soft spot for Taryn when he went to Mason County High School.
Last year, when Treg was a senior there, Taryn worked up the courage to ask him to prom.
He said yes, but with Treg in college this year, Taryn got dressed up and figured she'd be going alone.
That would not be the case.
Treg Setty said when he heard Taryn missed him, he had to find a way to be there on prom night.

"I just ran and gave him a hug and he liked that," says Taryn.

"If there's anything I want people to get out of this is to be there for people who need you to be there, and try to be a role model," says Treg.

But Prince Charming wasn't the only surprise of the night.

"She inspires me to be a better person. That's why I wanted to do it for her," says Samantha Kieper, a senior at Mason County High School.

A group of students lobbied hard to get Taryn Mains elected prom queen.

"She's just the sweetest girl," says Mackenzie King. "She's a queen even without the title."

Taryn's King would be Josh Harris, also an athlete who will be playing football for the University of Kentucky in the fall.

"He bent on his knee and gave me a rose," says Taryn.

As for happily ever after?

"Anytime she wants me to come back I will," says Josh Harris.

"He will," added Taryn.

One of Taryn Mains' peer tutors, Samantha Keiper, says the experience has inspired her to pursue a career in special education.

Multi-location Down syndrome awareness gala set for Feb. 25

from Northwest Herald:

GiGi’s Playhouse Down syndrome awareness centers in 10 cities, four states and two countries will come together Feb. 25 to celebrate Down syndrome awareness with galas.

Centers in McHenry, Atlanta, Chicago, Des Moines, New York, the Quad Cities, Sioux City, Rockford and Queretaro, Mexico, will be linked via satellite to spread an international message of acceptance and inspiration for individuals with Down syndrome.

This national movement for awareness of Down syndrome began in 2003 when the first GiGi’s Playhouse was started in Hoffman Estates, Scott Perlman, president of GiGi’s Playhouse in McHenry, said in a news release. Since then, 11 have opened across the Midwest, and locations in New York, Atlanta and Mexico are scheduled to open this spring.

Each location focuses on spreading awareness about Down syndrome through national campaigns, and offers free educational and therapeutic programming and tutoring.

The second annual “I Have a Voice” national gala will be an event that reaches beyond the local playhouse communities as it seeks to share the love and inspiration of individuals with Down syndrome, the news release said.

The local I Have a Voice gala will be from 7 p.m. to midnight Feb. 25 at Belvedere Banquets and Events, 1170 W. Devon, Elk Grove Village. Cost is $125 a person.

To register online, visit www.gigisplayhouse.org. For your donation to benefit the McHenry
location, click on the McHenry tab.

For additional information, visit GiGi’s Playhouse McHenry, 5404 W. Elm St., Suite A, McHenry, or call 815-385-7529.

75 yard touchdown makes a memorable moment

from Yahoo:

What could have been a disheartening loss is now an inspirational story.

A 19-year-old football player with Down syndrome scored the final touchdown of the season for his team — thanks to the outstanding sportsmanship of the opposing team.

It's playoff season for U.S. high-school football teams. When the Myrtle Beach High Seahawks beat the Hilton Head High Seahawks by a staggering 64 to 16, Hilton Head could have been upset about it. Instead, the game ended with the celebration of the teams' joint effort to see one player's dream come true.

Chip Mullen, a Hilton Head senior, has Down syndrome. It was his last game.

The Myrtle Beach coach, Mickey Wilson, swapped do-or-die football strategy for benevolent sportsmanship.

"We saw him out there and we decided to let him score" said Myrtle Beach head coach, Mickey Wilson. "We talked about it amongst our coaching staff and everyone thought it was a great idea."

Wilson told Hilton Head's team to give Mullen a handoff. Hilton Head did — and Mullen ran 75 yards, past Myrtle Beach players, into the end zone.

Mullen scored the final touchdown of Hilton Head's season.

The entire Myrtle Beach team joined Mullen and his team in the end zone to congratulate him.
It wasn't Mullen's first touchdown — he scored a defensive touchdown against Berkeley earlier in the season, in a play set up by the opposition — but Wilson wanted to give him a memorable last game. And it was.

While Hilton Head still lost the game, Mullen made national headlines — and was even highlighted in an ESPN SportsCenter's Plays of the Weekend segment.

"I think it's exceptional. That kid has put in four years of total commitment to our football program," Hilton Head coach Tim Singleton said. "And now he's on SportsCenter. Not many people can say that."

As for Mullen, the excited player didn't leave the field empty-handed that night.

"He came off the field with that ball and didn't let it go," said George Mullen, Chip's father. "He took it home with him."

Hoda & Kathie Lee: Sister with Down syndrome inspires family

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

from TV Guide:

The Stodden family honors Leah, a member of their family who has Down syndrome and inspires them with her passion for life and laughter.

Mother of child with Down syndrome wants to educate and inspire

  from The Ridgefield Press:

Former Ridgefield resident and teacher Christine Wilson has a message for parents who may have Down syndrome child: There is hope, and there can be lots of laughter and love.

Ms. Wilson is the author of a book on Down syndrome, Faces of Hope — A Family Album, which was released earlier this year.

Its aim is to both educate and inspire parents and other family members of children affected by Down syndrome.

“The intent of Faces of Hope — A Family Album is to be a gentle and uplifting welcome to all families of children with Down syndrome,” Mrs. Wilson said. “A book that helps all family members learn to relax and enjoy the ride. A book for any person touched by a child with Down syndrome.”

The book is designed in the style of a photo album, each page displaying a black-and-white picture of a child with Down syndrome accompanied by a heart-felt quote by a close family member.

“The photos of this book are of life unscripted,” said Mrs. Wilson in the introduction of her book. “They are the real thing. Many families shared various quotations, with one being selected to be paired with the photograph of their loved one.”

She said the comments “share messages of hope, laughter and love.”

Down syndrome occurs when a person has three, rather than two copies of the 21st chromosome, Mrs. Wilson, adding that one in every 691 babies is born with the syndrome.

Right now, there are more than 400,000 people with Down syndrome living in the United States.

Mrs. Wilson, a parent of a child with Down syndrome, has dedicated herself not just through her book, but also personally helping to comfort and guide new parents of a child with Down syndrome.

The idea for her book was sparked by a phone call from a social worker at Danbury Hospital who knew that she had a son born with Down syndrome, and asked if she wouldn’t mind talking to a couple who had just been notified their child was born with the same condition. Mrs. Wilson was more than happy to help.

“The end result would be a book that could be shared by anyone touched by a child with Down syndrome — a simple offering to help dispel worry and bring hope during times of uncertainty,” said Mrs. Wilson.

Christine Wilson lived for many years in Ridgefield where her husband, Chip Wilson, grew up and graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1975. The couple has three children.

Mrs. Wilson worked as a special education teacher at both Ridgebury and Barlow Mountain Schools.

“Because of my experience, as a special education teacher and parent of a special needs child, I have been able to build a special trust and bond with other parents of children with Down syndrome,” Mrs. Wilson said.

She also noted that “4.1 million women will be offered prenatal testing in the first trimester, regardless of age. Ninety percent will choose to terminate their pregnancy when informed their baby has Down syndrome — before they are given any counseling or information on Down syndrome.”

“All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays,” she said, “but the effect is usually mild to moderate and not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.”

She added, “I am committed to sharing the good news about Down syndrome to any individual in order to help dispel any fear or anxiety related to hearing the diagnosis, ‘Your child has Down syndrome.’”

Faces of Hope is available at Books on the Common.

the 5K Fun Run and Dash for Down Syndrome

from BarringtonPatch:

When Nancy Gianni, the founder of Down Syndrome awareness center Gigi’s Playhouse and her busy team of volunteers first organized the 5k Fun Run and Dash for Down Syndrome in 2003, they had no idea of the success it would lead to.

“This keeps getting bigger every year,” an energized and excited Gianni said over the microphone from the main stage to the cheering volunteers, walkers, runners and dashers that packed the parking lots of the South Barrington’s Arboretum on Sunday, June 12..  “We have more than 2,200 participants this year, and that is awesome; but let’s try for 3,000 (participants) next year!”

If the cheering from the audience was any indication, than three thousand walkers and runners in next year’s event sounds about right.

“We are incorporating five different Playhouses from all around the Chicagoland area into this event,” Jenni Von Tobel executive director for Gigi’s Playhouse said of just some of the different walking teams that came out in support of Down syndrome awareness.  “And all the money we raise goes straight into programming.”  

The funds from the eighth annual event will not only help support the continued growth of the different Playhouses in operation, but also the 26 different therapeutic and educational programs that is offered to children with Down Syndrome at each Playhouse location.

“The proceeds will help our reading program and the newly piloted math program,” Gianni said.  “We provide one-on-one tutoring in reading and math, our two biggest programs, and that really helps the kids in school.”

Gigi’s Playhouse, which first began in Hoffman Estates, has seen some exciting growth since its inception in Gianni’s basement eight years ago.  Not only did they begin an annual event that brings tremendous support from the community and local businesses to help the center’s fight for awareness of Down Syndrome, but the Playhouse has grown to nine locations scattered throughout the Illinois and even the United States. Gianni says there is even more growth on the horizon.

“We are going international this year,” Gianni said.  “Our tenth location will open in Mexico.”
Both Gianni and Von Tobel credit the growth of the event, and the various Gigi’s Playhouses, to the amazing effort from the community.

“Volunteers are at the heart of what we do,” Von Tobel said of the more than 200 volunteers that work with the different programs in the Chicagoland area.  “We had about 125 volunteers that have been here since 5:30 this morning.”

“The volunteers have done everything, and we couldn’t have done this event without them,” Gianni said agreeing with Von Tobel.  “This event has been fantastic and everything went off without any issues.”
The inspiration for the 5k Fun Run came from a mother that hoped to enter a marathon race with her daughter, who is afflicted with Down Syndrome.  but was unsure if she would be able to.  Gigi’s Playhouse helped make that dream come true for the mother by instilling self-esteem and easing some of the fears associated with Down Syndrome.  Gianni and Gigi’s Playhouse decided to host the 5k run that has now become an annual event.  

“Our kids can walk; they can run; they can do anything,” says Gianni, who knows a little something about being inspired; after all her daughter Gigi has the genetic disease and is the inspiration behind the Playhouse.  “So we decided to have this walk to show people that our kids can do everything other kids can do.”

Perhaps it seems that one of the most important things children with Down Syndrome can do, is inspire.  They have inspired a Playhouse, an event and now a community to action.

Pathways to Potential!

If you live in Philadelphia or the surrounding area, you will not want to miss this “One of a Kind Event” brought to you by the Karen Gaffney Foundation and The Brad Hennefer Golf For Life Foundation!

Pathways to Potential!

Come to Citizens Bank Park, home of the Word Class Baseball Team, the Philadelphia Phillies, to hear from another World Class Team - Self Advocates Brad Hennefer, Karen Gaffney, Sujeet Desai and David Egan on Saturday, February 26, 2011.

They have shared their stories all around the country in a variety of settings, but they have never before joined forces to give their audiences a concentrated dose of Inspiration and Information.

It is going to be an amazing day!