the University of Tennessee recognizes and encourages the potential of people with Down syndrome

by Emily Stroud from WBIR NBC 10:
In the United States, more than 400,000 people live with Down syndrome.

For the first time The United Nations is recognizing "World Down Syndrome Day" March 21st.

Every day, the University of Tennessee recognizes and encourages the potential of people with Down syndrome.

One young man is making the most of an innovative program at UT.

Chad Mitchell really enjoys his internship as a manager with the Lady Vols.

He likes hanging out with his girlfriend.

"When I first met her last year I knew she was the one so," Chad Mitchell said. "I dropped down on one knee and I asked her to be my girlfriend. And what did she say? She said yes."

He loves taking classes at the University of Tennessee. He's part of the FUTURE program for students with intellectual disabilities.

"The FUTURE program is a two year certificate program in which the primary goals are career and independence, just like every other college student here at the University of Tennessee," David Cihak said.

University of Tennessee Associate Professor David Cihak explained that Chad and his fellow students audit courses, have work-based internships, and take classes in practical career skills and life skills.

"And they also participate in all the other activities here on campus whether it be going to the games, participating in the museums, going to the theaters, working with the volunteers who work with our FUTURE students," Cihak said.

Chad said, "I hang out with my friends."

An especially good friend is his little sister Caroline.

"Joy. True genuine joy. That's what he brings me in my life and so many other people," Caroline Mitchell said.

In age, they are five years apart. In distance, they go to college three hours apart. But Chad and Caroline continue to be close

Vols, Lady Vols Connect With Hoops For Hope

from the Chattanoogan by Stan Crawley:
The Tennessee men's and women's basketball teams participated in the game they love Saturday morning at Farragut High School. For the fifth-consecutive season, they celebrated that love of the game with youngsters from the Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee at Hoops For Hope.
Started as a Boy Scout project by Trey Sexton to make dreams come true for parents and children of the DSAG of East Tennessee, Hoops For Hope has become an annual event that Big Orange round-ballers and their coaches look forward to as much as the youths whom they cheer and play alongside in organized games.

While Trey Sexton is away on a two-year mission trip, his father, David Sexton, said the torch has been passed to Trey's sister, Allie. She coordinated this year's event, and the roar of the crowd and the smiles on everyone's faces signaled that year five was another rousing success.

"It makes me feel really proud as a dad, because you try to teach your kids that if you desire to do good things, then there will be support for you to do that," David Sexton said. "So, it's awesome for us to see that we have the support of UT and the Down Syndrome Awareness Group to make this happen. It benefits not only them (DSAG), but everyone who is here at the event.

"I think it's really neat to see that these athletes who are so dedicated to a sport and have so much invested in that will take the time out from their athletic endeavors to come and support the community in a really simple, but powerful, way."

UT Head Women's Basketball Coach Holly Warlick enjoys seeing the response of the participants, both from DSAG and the teams.

"My favorite thing about this event is to see these young people have a smile on their faces," Warlick said. "They are having fun, enjoying themselves and they are playing with people they look up to on the men's and women's basketball teams.

"The athletes absolutely love it, too. They love to be around these kids and coming to this event. It's wonderful for our programs to once again be a part of it."

Vol junior Trae Golden said the event is very special to him and his teammates, because they have built relationships through the event.

"It's huge, because we come back and see the same people and how much they've grown and how much they love basketball," Golden said. "It's a great thing to give back to the community, and we couldn't be happier to be here."

"We play basketball every day, and we sometimes start to take it for granted. These guys - they score and are so excited. It's just great to see their enthusiasm."