Quincy Jones joins fashion show to raise money for Down syndrome

Children with Down syndrome were the center of attention as more than 1,200 people gathered Saturday, Oct. 10, to show support and say “It’s time!” to increase awareness and fundraising for Down syndrome research, medical care and education. The 2009 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Jet Set Fashion Show also celebrated the extraordinary humanitarian and musical [...]

Diondra Dixon in the Spotlight

Diondra Dixon is a Special Olympic medalist who has won an award for poetry, balances school and a job and is a role model for young people with Down syndrome.  She’s also received the Quincy Jones Exceptional Self-Advocate Award at the “Be Yourself, Be Beautiful” fashion show in October 2009. Just in case you haven’t heard, [...]

Halle Berry’s View on Down Syndrome

Halle Berry did an interview with Daniel Robert Epstein, contributing editor for UGO discussing X-Men: The Last Stand.   During the interview Halle mentioned her nephew who has Down syndrome.   Here’s a glimpse of what she said: UGO:   The cure in this movie raises so many interesting questions. HALLE:   Yes it made me go [...]

Michael J. Johnson: Painter, Illustrator, Self Advocate

Michael Jurogue Johnson is a full time artist. Art is his job. He paints almost every day and he also works in the cottage industry that has developed from his talent. Michael was born with Down syndrome, but he was also born with a sense of wonder, an ability to appreciate simple things, a good [...]

Bernadette Resha: Painter, Artist, Self Advocate

Born in Nashville TN with Down Syndrome, Bernadette has become well known in the art community worldwide.  Her exposure to the art world and culture started as a child attending as many art galleries, museums, concert halls and plays as her time would allow.  From an early age she was encouraged to draw and color [...]

Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy

Diana has Down Syndrome, a genetic condition that gives her one extra chromosome, a lower IQ, and constant physical problems. Kathy, on the other hand, is 61 years old, has a degree in English, and has had cerebral palsy since her birth which left her non-verbal. For 37 years they have lived together, forging a [...]

Sujeet Desai: Professional Musician and Self-Advocate

At the age of 28 year old, Sujeet Desai is an accomplished professional musician and self-advocate with Down syndrome from New York, USA. Sujeet plays 6 musical instruments including the Bb and Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Violin, Piano and Drums and has just started to learn his 7th, the trumpet. In addition to his career [...]

Inspirational Awareness Video

My Brother – trailer

Karen Gaffney

Karen Gaffney swims two miles a day, five times a week. She has been in swimming racing since the age of four. In Sept. 25th 2007, at the age of 29, Karen became known worldwide for being the first person with Down syndrome to complete a relay swim across the English Channel, completed her latest [...]