Rival teams come together for player with Down syndrome

from CBC News:
Cross-town school rivals in Charlottetown came together last week to give Cameron Gordon, who has Down syndrome, his first shot at basketball glory.

"It feels awesome," said Gordon.

"Like I'm super famous."

Gordon is a student at Birchwood Intermediate School, and decided this year he wanted to try out for basketball. His mother, Catherine MacInnis, had her doubts about whether he would make the team.

"It certainly has been challenging," said MacInnis.

"There are things he's wanted to do that he hasn't been able to do."

Gordon's disability makes it difficult for him to compete on skill, but when it comes to spirit, he brings something to the gym everyone on the team wanted.

Boys 6 and 7, Stand Up For Sisters with Down Syndrome

Screen shot of the Facebook video: "Hollis Boys, 6 and 7, "Speaking up for our sisters" against hate"

 

by Derry London from WLTX:

Two young boys in Illinois took it upon themselves to stand up to bullies in a video that has gone viral on Facebook.

 

Posted to Facebook and YouTube in September of 2012 by Everyone Matters, at www.facebook.com/everyonematters, a "global inclusiveness campaign" that fights for equality, the video titled "Hollis Boys, 6 and 7, "Speaking up for our sisters" against hate," has spread world-wide. 

It stems from an April, 2011 vandalism of the family car and home, when hateful messages were spray-painted one night, because two daughters in the family have Down Syndrome.

Since the video was published online, has spread on Facebook through 365,000+ likes and over 150,000 shares.

(editor's note: video contains graphic language spray-painted on house)

One Direction's Niall Horan Sends Message to Fan With Down Syndrome

from Gather.com Celebs:
One Direction's Niall Horan made the day of a 15-year-old girl with Down Syndrome when he sent a special video message her way. Melena Butera loves all the One Direction guys--Niall along with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik--but Niall is certainly her favorite, and even moreso now.
According to a report from Nine MSN, Melena's older sister Julianna, who is 20, started a YouTube film campaign to catch the attention of the One Direction singers. Since Melena's birthday is close to the date of their Madison Square Garden concert on December 3rd, she thought why not try to surprise Melena with something wonderful.
Niall made a reciprocal film for Melena.
"[Your film was] absolutely incredible ... You're a massive fan we know,
he One Direction singers. Since Melena's birthday is close to the date of their Madison Square Garden concert on December 3rd, she thought why not try to surprise Melena with something wonderful.
Niall made a reciprocal film for Melena.
"[Your film was] absolutely incredible ... You're a massive fan we know," Niall says to Melena. "All the love from the boys."
So will Melena Butera get to meet Niall Horan and One Direction? That hasn't been confirmed, but it sounds likely because of the way Niall signed off on his video .
"See you soon," he says at the end of the clip.
Do you think Melena will be treated to a meet and greet and concert on behalf of One Direction? Just the film alone made her day--just imagine how excited she'll be if she gets to meet the "What Makes You Beautiful" and "Live While We're Young" singers in person!