Teen with Down syndrome makes big impact at part-time job

Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

by Melissa Cutler from FOX 4  News:

A Highland Park high school student is making an impact at his part-time job.

Nick Jones' task is to make sure every car on his dealership's lot is perfect, and his work is making a bigger impression than he may realize.

One thing that sets 18-year-old Nick apart from many is how happy he is to go to work.

Nick also has Down syndrome and sometimes struggles with words. Otherwise, he's just one of the guys at Park Cities Ford in Dallas.

“This is a big step for Nick to have this opportunity and experience being a contributing member in his community,” said his mom, Katie Jones.

For the past year, the Highland Park senior has worked Monday through Friday after school, checking for unlocked doors.

The best part is that it's his dream job, working near his dream car – the Ford Mustang.

He gets excited every time he sees one.

His mother says things haven't been easy for Nick.

“Back in the day, as they say and thinking he didn't have much of a future because that's what you're told,” said Katie. “That's what the doctors tell you. That's what everyone around you tells you.”

Blue Valley North wrestler makes his way without special treatment

by Beth Lipoff from The Kansas City Star:
Patrick Chapman loves a good challenge.
Whether it’s signing up for the school junior varsity wrestling team without any experience — and without telling his parents —or attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, he’s ready to tackle whatever lies ahead.
The 19-year-old Blue Valley North senior doesn’t let Down syndrome stand in the way of any of his goals.
His parents, Dan and Lauren Chapman, were worried that the sport might be too much for their son to handle, but they’re happy to have been proven wrong.
Related “It’s hard to do, because wrestling is pretty challenging to me,” Patrick said.
Lauren likes the values Patrick learned from his teammates and coaches.
“Even though it’s an individual sport, (the boys are) really close,” she said. “He makes better social connections through sports than other things, because he spends so much time with the same individuals.”
Although Patrick has some additional challenges his teammates don’t, he doesn’t want — and doesn’t get — special treatment.

Heart-warming end to senior night

 

By Kassie Barroquillo from KPC News.com:KENDALLVILLE — Despite losing to Columbia City, 40-29, Wednesday, East Noble ended its senior night with a cheering crowd, a trophy, and an excited team — all thanks to a wrestler who has become the heart of the squad.

Senior John Herron pinned fellow senior Jake Weimer in an exhibition match immediately following the end of the Knights’ varsity meet. He has been on the wrestling team for three years. Herron has been the recipient of the team spirit award for the past two years; he is always one of the loudest people cheering for his teammates; and he has Down Syndrome.“He’s got all of the qualities everybody wants. He’s so supportive of us,” said EN coach Keith Hoffar. “It has been a privilege and I think the kids think so too.”
Assistant coach Ryan Pepple, who planned the exhibition match, said, “I wanted to give him the same experience as his teammates.”

Coach Kevin Ollie donates $50K to build 'Kevin's Kourt at Jonathan's Dream Reimagined'

from West Hartford News:
With Coach Kevin Ollie looking on, 20-year old Jamie Roland, who has Down’s syndrome and six-year old first grader Sofie Turek, whose spirit is not slowed by a neurogenetic disorder, took the shots of their lives. Swish. Swish.

A third swish came from Coach Ollie as he announced at a ceremony at the Mandell Jewish Community Center, held Dec. 26, that his charity the Kevin Ollie Charity Classic is donating $50,000 to build “Kevin’s Kourt at Jonathan’s Dream Reimagined”.

Amy Barzach, co-founder of Jonathan’s Dream, one of America’s first inclusive playgrounds, said that “Kevin’s Kourt at Jonathan’s Dream” will be the first inclusive Bankshot™ basketball court in Connecticut.

“’Kevin’s Kourt at Jonathan’s Dream’ will help children and families, of all ages and abilities, discover the freedom of playing together without limitations,” said Barzach.

“Kevin’s Kourt at Jonathan’s Dream” will have up to nine stations created by Bankshot™, which has pioneered inclusive basketball play structures based on total-mix diversity and universal design.

New #IMREADY Campaign Pushes for Child Models With Disabilities to be Featured in Media

by Nicole Pelletiere from ABC News:

Earlier this year, Target reached out to the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota in search of a child model. On December 14, the discount chain featured two-year-old Izzy Bradley who has Down syndrome.

This sparked a social media movement aiming to encourage the inclusion of models with disabilities in advertisements.

Launched last month by Changing the Face of Beauty, #15in2015 is the campaign vying to get 15 retailers to use models with special needs in 2015.

Illinois Mom of Disabled Girl Shoots Own Back-to-School Ads

"I reached out to the co-founder to promote models being in ads and she was completely on board,” said Heather Bradley, mom of Izzy Bradley. “We thought this would be a great way to capitalize on the positive response from Izzy, so we decided to move this forward by getting the attention of other companies.”

And it’s working: This morning, Infantino announced on Facebook that they are the first of 15 brands to accept challenge of including models with disabilities in 2015.

"We are committed to using models that reflect the same diversity you see on a playground. Check out our Facebook page to see our cutie cover model, who is rocking her extra chromosome." -Infantino Toys

To get involved, parents post photos of their children onto Facebook, while hashtagging #IMREADY and #15in2015.

“Since Izzy was in the ad, Heather and I thought why don’t we promote these kids and say, ‘we’re ready, it’s time,’” said Katie Driscoll, co-founder of Changing the Face of Beauty. “That’s how we launched the #IMREADY portion and it’s already gone crazy.”

In addition to Target, Nordstrom has advocated featuring models with all abilities in their ads.

In the past, Driscoll’s five-year-old daughter Grace, who also has Down syndrome, appeared in the holiday lookbook of Tori Spelling’s Little Maven collection.

“She my motivation behind this and behind the change, Driscoll said. “I think that advertisers need to realize that people with disabilities make up one of the largest minorities in the world. Target and Nordstrom really set the precedence of inclusion. I really think the more we recognize that, the more other companies will catch on.”

Here are some of the hopeful faces of #IMREADY:

CAMDEN

 

Meghan Roberson

PHOTO: @Sears Camden says #IMREADY to be the next fresh face for Sears! YOU and Camden can take us one step closer to #changingthefaceofbeauty and helping reach the goal of fifteen new retailers in 2015.

KATE

 

Janessa Gross

PHOTO: Janie and Jack: Kate says #imready to be the next fresh face for Janie and Jack!

JADON

 

Sheryl Smith

PHOTO: Jadon's wearing Target in this photo and wants to follow in Izzy's footsteps and model for the company.

DASH

 

Kim Kann

PHOTO: Dash challenges Boden to continue to be a leader of inclusion advertising! #15in2015 #thellenshow #Miniboden #Boden

CAROLYNN

 

Geralynn Moore

PHOTO: Hey Carter's Thechildren'splace Toys"R"Us/Babies"R"Us Old Navy Gymboree Macy's BabyGap Carolynn says #IMREADY for change.

WILLIAM

 

Genevieve Brown

PHOTO: Ralph Lauren: William says #IMREADY for change. We want YOU to include models with disabilities in 2015.

TESSA

 

Becky Carey

PHOTO: Crayola, we are ready...are you? You can join the #15in2015 challenge and help by #changingthefaceofbeauty. Join us! #IMREADY

CARTER

 

Stacey Calcano

PHOTO: Carter says #iamready to be the next fresh face for Gap. YOU and Carter can take us one step closer to #changingthefaceofbeauty and helping reach the goal of fifteen new retailers in 2015. #15in2015

MILES

 

Andrea Winkler

PHOTO: Miles wants to model for Macy's, Honest Company and Janie & Jack.

Incredible dancer with Down syndrome pushes toward greatness

FOX 10 News | fox10phoenix.com
from FOX 10 Phoenix:
MAHTOMEDI, Minn. (KMSP) - Mikayla Holmgren has been dancing since she was a little girl. When she's dancing, she's in her element. Just like any other dancer, she's pushed to be great, and her instructor says there's nothing she can't do. She has Down syndrome, and that's simply not a barrier in front of her path to success. Never nervous, the 19-year-old has her parents to thank for her confidence.

“The more knowledge you have about our children, you realize that what you believed 20 years ago that they weren't teachable was not true,” her mom Sandi Holmgren said.

"She knows a lot more than she can articulate sometimes, so that's part of it and I think that shows up in the physical things; she can just perform,” dad Craig Holmgren said.

Beyond Awareness: National Down Syndrome Acceptance Month

by Meriah Nichols from The Huffington Post:
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month here in the United States. I'm personally not out to promote awareness anymore, because we are there already.
We are aware.
We are aware that people with Down syndrome are the same as people without: deserving of equal rights, opportunities and privileges. We are aware of what features associated with Down syndrome look like, we are aware of discrimination and prejudice that is regularly leveled at people with Down syndrome.
We are aware that the world is not often kind to people with Down syndrome -- that people with Down syndrome can suffer horribly at the hands of people who do not accept them. Those hurting hands can belong to relatives, to members of the justice system, to acquaintances or strangers. Yes, we are aware of this, and perhaps this is partly the fear that keeps women from choosing to have a child with Down syndrome, perhaps this awareness does more harm than good.
I want us to try to move beyond awareness. I want us to move into acceptance.
Let's try to put our awareness into action and actively accept people with Down syndrome. Let's try and move two steps past our comfort zone, whatever that might be.
Are you uncomfortable around people with Down syndrome? Let's be honest here. If you are, go ahead and challenge yourself to just go up to someone with Down syndrome, look at them and greet them from your heart. A sincere "hello".
And then move forward.

Friday night lights shine on 2 boys with Down Syndrome

by Grayson Edds from Connect Amarillo.com:
SANGER, TEXAS -- CNN -- They're not just water boys anymore. Two Texas teens are named honorary team captains of their football team.
Football season is back in Sanger, Texas, and the only thing more sure than getting sacked and sweaty in practice is seeing these two young men on the sidelines.
Blaky Pyron and Austin Waters are best friends, both going into their senior year at Sanger High.
And for the past few years, the teenagers who live with Down Syndrome have been a big part of the varsity football team. Water boys who led the team out of the tunnel every single game.
"These guys are special," said head coach Chuck Galbreath. "They have unique abilities and they live life to the fullest."
Galbreath has gone out of his way to make these kids not just feel like they're a part of the team, but be a part of the team.
"They're an inspiration for all of us, I know for me specifically," he said.

Miss You Can Do It Pageant In Peoria

Kewanee pageant winner is driving force behind Miss You Can Do It contest for girls with disabilities

Read more about the Miss You Can Do It Pageant here:

http://www.pjstar.com/article/20140726/News/140729372

Story of Connecticut Boy's Truck Ride Garners Ford's Attention

by Jessie Sawyer from NBC Connecticut:

When Ford Motor Company heard how a Manchester landscaper made a teenager with Down syndrome smile with a simple ride in his Ford truck, a representative from Ford headquarters in Michigan wrote to him that the story sounded like something out of a country song "that makes you cry for all the right reasons."

So when Tom Topping, 54, responded that he was a "Toby Keith kind of guy," Ford offered Topping, the boy, Kevin Fellows, 15, and his family tickets to see Toby Keith perform  at Xfinity Theatre in Hartford this weekend. Ray Seraphin Ford in Rockville Connecticut, where Topping got his 2012 Ford F-250, is also detailing his truck for free after learning of the story.

The recognition is heartwarming, but ask Topping about his act of kindness and he'll tell you that his gesture wasn't much. For the Manchester Green Lawn Services owner, the special part of the story is really about Kevin and his moment in the truck, the "Big Red Monster," that made it feel like "Christmas in July."

"I gave a kid a ride in a truck and you're supposed to make kids smile," he said.

Kevin, a Coventry High School student, loves playing with trucks, cars and trains, often riding with his grandfather on his tractor in the past.

"He was very excited," said his grandmother, Gail Zanlungo, who has taken care of him often over the past 13 years. "He loves anything like a tractor that moves."

It all started when Topping was at Zanlungo's house in Manchester mowing her lawn on July 10. Zanlungo was Topping's first customer when he opened a year ago after a career in sales and he had never met her grandson, Kevin before. Kevin was visiting, going from window to window to watch Topping mow. He brought a lawn chair outside to sit and watch Topping continue in the backyard, a part of the house without windows.

Arizona family travels to Michigan to help another family whose daughter is battling cancer

by Kim Russell from WXYZ ABC 7:
WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) - A family from Arizona stopped in at a Warren home today to do yard work. The reason?  They know a little girl who lives there is fighting cancer.
Lexi Spencer, 11, has Down Syndrome and is halfway through an expected 30 month treatment for cancer.
The Murset Family wanted to make it easier for Christine and Jim Spencer to focus on their daughter, without having to worry about chores outside the house. Gregg Murset, his wife, and six children cleaned windows, weeded, trimmed trees, and did other chores today.
Gregg says he is trying to practice what he preaches. He runs a website, myjobchart.com .  It helps kids keep track of their chores and good deed through an app.
Kids can then earn an allowance, buy items, or donate money to charities.
"This is an outgrowth of what myjobchart is," said Murset. "It is teaching kids responsibility, work ethic, and giving back."
The Spencer family isn't the only family benefiting. The Mursets are traveling more than 6,000 miles this summer helping families.
"I don't think anybody has done this before," said Syndney Murset, 13. "It is fun to help people and see what their reactions are. "
For Lexi's parents seeing the get done, is a weight off their shoulders.
"I can't tell you how heartwarming it is for people to come from so far and do things we have wanted to do. I mean, our windows, they haven't been washed in 2 years," said Christine Spencer. 

The last dance: Though her recital days are over, dancing allows graduate with Down syndrome to be one of the girls

by Britteny McNamara from Wicked Local Walpole:
On stage, Allie Iannoni gets her wings. Dancing tap and jazz, Iannoni’s eyes light up, she becomes confident, and her differences float away.

The fact that Iannoni has Down’s Syndrome doesn’t matter, all that matters is that she hits her mark, which she always does.

Iannoni has danced at K and M Studios in Norwood for 10 years now, and with her 21st birthday approaching next month she has recently aged out of the program. At her final recital last Saturday, Allie, of Walpole, said she was happy to perform with her friends, but sad to see the end of an era.

Up on the Westwood High School stage, Iannoni performed three numbers, one tap, one jazz and a final senior dance. Her father Joseph Iannoni said the senior dance was her best performance yet.

"I really loved to dance," Iannoni said. "I like being on stage, I like when people clap for me."

The final performance was a series of three recitals, one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one at night. With her dad in the audience for all three, Iannoni said she had a lot of fun.

I'm Taking a Stand to Make My Difference in the World

by Lauren Potter from the Huffington Post:
I'm Lauren Potter. I'm just a 24-year-old girl who is working hard to live my dreams and make my difference in the world.
In order to do that, I've had to face challenges. Sometimes even seemingly simple things, like walking and talking, have been a challenge. But I never let that stop me. I have always continued to dream big and to fight hard to pursue those dreams.
When I was young, my dream was to be an actress. Sure people told me I'd never be able to do it, but I replied, "Just watch me!" Now they are watching me, but this time on the big screen. I filmed my first movie when I was 16 years old, and I am currently an actress on Fox's hit TV show Glee that just celebrated its 100th episode.
As a girl who has accomplished things that many didn't think were possible, I know that people can be wrong when they judge someone else just because they are different. We are all different. And that isn't bad, it's just, well, different!
Because of Glee I have been given a chance to pursue another dream of mine -- to make the world a more welcoming place for people who are different -- especially for people like me who have always been told "you can't" instead of "you can." I want to live in a world where everyone can live, go to school and go to work without having to be afraid. Afraid of being judged, afraid of being bullied or cyber-bullied. Afraid of new things. Afraid of failure. Afraid of dreaming. In fact, I want to live in a world where people are actually celebrated for their differences, just as I celebrate mine!
Do you want to live in that world? Do you want to join me in "being the change"?
I believe we can be the generation that makes it happen! That's why I'm taking a stand for acceptance and inclusion. And I'm hoping that everyone will join me.
Special Olympics is an organization that celebrates differences and gives people of all abilities the chance to be a champion and a star. At the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015, the whole world will have a chance to show that they too stand up for acceptance and inclusion of all people by celebrating the joy, courage and determination of the 7,000 athletes who will participate. I am so proud and honored to be a part of this wonderful mission as a World Games Ambassador. I will continue to cheer on the athletes and stand with them as we tell those who still may say or think we can't do it, "Just watch me!"
This post is part of a series produced by The Huffington Post and the Special Olympics World Games in conjunction with the Take a Stand campaign leading up to the 2015 World Games that will take place in Los Angeles. To read all posts in the series, visit here. Learn more about the Special Olympics World Games, Los Angeles 2015 here.
Follow Lauren Potter on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheLaurenPotter

7 Awesome Life Lessons My Son With Down Syndrome Taught Me

by John Simmons from the Huffington Post:
Amy and I had three biological sons when we adopted a 1-month-old little boy with Down syndrome and started taking lessons from him. Jack was fragile. He would require open heart surgery by the time he was 6-months-old.
Jack contracted postoperative pneumonia and it was looking like he might become a part of the 15 percent of children at that time, who didn't make it home after surgeries like his. I still remember his older brothers, aged 6 to 2, standing around that enormous hospital bed looking longingly at a tiny sibling with more wires and tubes than they could count going from his body to the intimidating flashing, beeping and humming medical equipment. Any of us would have done anything to make him well, but there was nothing we could do. As I recalled our five months together, I realized that there were no regrets. That was the first lesson Jack taught me. When death causes a separation between me and anyone I love, I want to have that same feeling. I want to have nothing amiss. If anything has been out of order, I want to have repaired it to the best of my ability.
The next time my son took me to school, he wasn't even in school, yet. Jack didn't walk until he was 3. He potty trained when he was 4. My son didn't progress quickly, but he did progress. If I tried to measure him against his siblings and the rate that they learned, there could only be disappointment. But when we celebrated Jack's accomplishments for what they were to him, and measured them against his own challenges, advancement for him was at least as impressive as it was for any of our other children. I had no idea how important this lesson was until we adopted several more children and eventually learned that some of them suffered from attachment disorders. Jack 101 taught me to allow my children with attachment difficulties the time that they needed to progress. That course also gave me the understanding, that for these children, accomplishments which might have seemed slight to others, could be celebrated by my family as the monuments they truly were.

Sayville's Meg LaBelle, with Down syndrome, scores goal in lacrosse game

by Stephen Haynes from Newsday:
Farmingdale goalie Olivia Kirk was brought to tears, so moved by a goal she allowed that meant as much as any she had ever prevented.
"That was a great moment; something special," said the senior, one of several players on either sideline overcome with emotion. "How often does something like this happen?"
Meghan LaBelle, a Sayville junior with Down syndrome, scored against Farmingdale with 4.9 seconds remaining in Friday night's game. She carried the ball from midfield, with the help of Sayville's Julianne Johnston, drove up the right wing and fired from close range.
Cameras flashed, video rolled, the benches roared and many in attendance became choked up. LaBelle just beamed, having just realized one of her fantasies.
"Playing lacrosse is my dream," she said, still giddy. "It's my favorite sport. I was excited [but] I wasn't nervous at all. I got to play with my best friend, Jules."
That would be Johnston, who has known LaBelle since kindergarten.

A Dream for My Daughter With Down Syndrome

by The Stir Bloggers from The Stir:
I've debated posting this letter a million times. Mostly because I know I have readers who will not get this. Some readers won't because they love me and my family and Lily so much...they just don't ever want us to hurt. So to prevent that hurt -- or stop it -- they will say things like, "please just accept Lily for who she is. Just give her time, and trust that she is who God made her to be."
Some readers won't get this letter, because... they simply can't relate. As understanding as they might be, they will never ever know how it feels be the parent of a child with special needs. And believe me when I say, I don't blame them for not being able to relate. I'm in a club that I didn't choose to be in myself, although I wouldn't bargain my way out of it if I could.
I've learned too much, loved too much, grown in ways I didn't know I needed to, discovered little rooms...vast rooms...in my heart that I never knew existed since having Lily. I cannot imagine, and I don'twant to ever imagine, life without Lily; this letter has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of love for her or a desire for her to be someone else. She's my Lily, and I truly believe that quote at the top of my blog...the one that says there was no mistake here. I believe it with all my heart.
But there are some days when I dream....

Bat Boy With Down Syndrome Hits Home Run On Senior Night (Video)

by Darren Hartwell from NESN:
“Fast” Eddie Gordon will never forget his Senior Night.
Eddie, who was born with Down syndrome, has served as the bat boy for the Timberline High School baseball team in Boise, Idaho, for the past two seasons. On Monday, he finally had the chance to step in the batter’s box.
Penciled into Timberline’s lineup as the leadoff hitter, Eddie drew a large ovation from the crowd and both dugouts, who all started chanting his name as he stepped to the plate. After a few swing attempts, Eddie made contact and took off around the bases.
Eddie could hardly conceal his grin as he crossed home plate and was mobbed by his teammates. Check out the cool moment in the video below, which also features interviews from Eddie and his coach.

2014 TWENTYWONDER to Benefit Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, 6/28

from Broadway World:
Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) announced today, in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, that their annual benefit TWENTYWONDER, A Carnival of the Mind, will have its 5th Anniversary on Saturday, June 28, 2014 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
This year's TWENTYWONDER, marks the 4th year, that the L.A. Derby Dolls will host the critically-acclaimed, 21 and older fundraising event, at the Doll Factory (1910 West Temple Street) in Los Angeles. The evening will feature an all-star roller derby bout, music, comedy, art, sciences and plenty of last minute guest surprises. Proceeds will benefit DSALA's efforts to support those born with Trisomy 21/Down syndrome living in greater Los Angeles.
"WOW...I can hardly believe we are about to mount the 5th Annual TWENTYWONDER in Los Angeles! From it's funky/sweaty/adorable beginnings as SuperBall 'The One Day World's Fair' in 1996 to the fun-loving genre bending acceptance/awareness event hailed as today's Carnival of The Mind, this event is a genuine pleaser. TWENTYWONDER repeatedly draws and amazes the sweetest people of Los Angeles with a cultural cocktail shaken with the sights and sounds and ideas for our thirsty modern lives," said Jim Hodgson, Director of Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles.

50 Countries Unite To Fight Medical Discrimination Against People With Down Syndrome

by Eleanor Goldberg from the Huffington Post:
3/21 marks World Down Syndrome Day, giving advocates the opportunity to celebrate the lives of people with the condition, and also to push for equal treatment in every area of life.
This year, the awareness campaign is focusing its efforts on urging countries worldwide to provide adequate health care to people with Down syndrome.
People with Down syndrome typically have an increased risk for some medical conditions, including congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems and Alzheimer's disease, according to the National Down Syndrome Society. While many of these conditions are treatable, and people with Down syndrome can live long and healthy lives, they still face elements of discrimination that interfere with their treatment.
According to Down Syndrome International, people with Down syndrome are often denied or delayed access to health care. They sometimes receive incorrect diagnoses due to their physician’s lack of knowledge or inadequate training, and are often excluded from the treatment plan process and making medical decisions.