People with Down Syndrome Can

That moment you first hear the diagnosis Down Syndrome, many of us parents will tell you that there is a feeling of grief and despair…of ALL the things you think your child will not, will never, just can’t do.

But today is different. And tomorrow will not be the same.

There are so many things -when you dream, when you believe, when you have faith, and by God’s grace, that:

People with Down Syndrome Can Be

Actor or Actress in a Hit TV Show (Chris Burke & Lauren Potter)
Apparel Designer (Andrew Banar)
Army/military (Elad Gevandschnaider)
Artist with exhibits around the world (Judith Scott)
Author (Kellie Greenwald)
Ballerina world-famous (Aline Favaro)
Brother or sister
Business Owner (Joe Steffy)
Climber on Mt. Everest base camp (Eli Reimer)
College graduate (Pablo Pineda) with NO special education classes (Ezra Roy)
Dancer (Thalia Arbelaez)
DJ (William Pestolesi)
Driver with a driver’s license (Jay Nothnagle)
Entrepreneur (Maria Reyes Mermeladas)
Fashion Designer (Ashley DeRamus)
Homecoming King & Queen in a typical high school (Travjuan “Bubba” Hunter & Semone Adkins)
Homeowner / Buy and live in their own home independently (William Pestolesi)
Over 80 years old (Joyce Greenman)
In love (Erica Davis)
Magna Cum Laude at a typical university (Ezra Roy)
Marathon Runner (Antoinette Mendoza)
Married (Monica & David)
MMA Fighter (Garret Holeve – G Money)
Model at New York’s Fashion Week
Non-Profit Founder and Leader (Dr. Karen Gaffney)
Parents
Ph. D. (Dr. Karen Gaffney)
Photographer (Oliver Hellowell)
Physically Fit (ripped in fact)
Pianist (Akihito Ochi)
Power Lifter (Jonathan Stoklosa)
Prom King
Reader
Restaurant owner (Tim Harris)
Clear speaker
Able to speak for themselves (Megan Bomgaars)
Self Advocate (Christopher A. Hunnicutt)
Student in a typical school (Ezra Roy)
Swimmer – Swimming the entire English channel
Typography professional (Anna Vives)
Unhappy
Valedictorian (in an all-typical high school) (Brina Kei Masangkay Maxino)
Violinist (Emmanuel Joseph Bishop)
Voter
Full-Time worker
World speaker

want more?

You can read more behind the Myths & Truths for people with Down Syndrome here.

dedication

Dedicating this updated list to every child like mine – fighters, underdogs, who are changing the world for the better by following their dreams, by doing what was once impossible – to all of you, you inspire me.

keep this updated!

Please help me keep this list up-to-date! Let me know what I should add and please send me reputable links to help document all the things people with Down Syndrome can now do 🙂