We want to hear about your employment or entrepreneurial success story! NDSS is featuring stories from across the country from the perspective of employees and entrepreneurs with Down syndrome. Please complete the form below and submit a picture of a self-advocate in action!
Hello, my name is Zachary Cooper and I am 30 years old. I live in Mooresville, North Carolina with my family. I graduated from Mooresville High School with an Occupational Course of Study diploma. I have been participating in Special Olympics at the local and state levels since I was 8 years old.
For 5 years, I worked at a local pizzeria. When I worked at Johnny Brusco’s at the Lake, I made boxes, cleaned the menus, and filled the containers of the ranch and blue cheese dressing. This job was a lot of fun and my co-workers were very helpful.
I volunteer at a local driving range and a mini-golf course. While there I clean the windows, bathrooms, and sweep the floors.
Twice a week my worker Dawn and I go to the public library. I love to learn about the history of the United States and the weather.
When I was younger I always wanted to go to work with my dad, David. He and my mom, Lisa thought it would be a great idea for our family to open a business together. They wanted our business to be able to hire other individuals with disabilities. My parents wanted me to decide what kind of business we would open. After thinking, I decided we should open a doughnut and coffee shop.
Our business is called Down For Doughnuts and it opened on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day! My favorites things to do at the shop are making doughnuts in the kitchen with my dad and doing interviews. I like talking about doughnuts and Down syndrome
Joel began attending a day habilitation program in the Fall of 1989. He was seriously interested in laundry work but none was available in his metro suburb. His Case Manager suggested a job at the Washington County Government Center, creating a position with his day program in the Community Services division.
As a clerical worker in Community Social Services he and his daily job coach work on stuffing envelopes and collating and assembling packets on adoption, aging , child support, chemical dependency and foster care. One of his coworkers said “Joel is a timesaver.” His coworkers also agree he takes pride in his work and he is respected throughout the Government Center. Joel loves his job, hates to miss a day and many have said if they’re having a bad day Joel can help them turn it around.
Joel has lived with 3 other guys in a group home since 1994. He loves to bowl and dance and really enjoys traveling. He’s been to Hawaii, Fiji, the Tonga Islands, Mexico and many US States. He loves weekend visits home to see his Mom and family.
On February 4, 2020 a celebration was held for him for 30 years as a Washington County Community Services employee. The County Board Declared it as “Joel Loer Day.” It was attended by current and retired employees of the County, County Board members, group home staff and family and friends. We are all very proud of this young man
I have been working hard building birdhouses to collect money for local non-profits. I started my business after my former job closed down due to coronavirus. I knew I wanted to keep working hard and helping out my community. So far, within the first 3 months, I have raised over 3,000 dollars for local nonprofits that support individuals with special needs. This month I am donating 1,500 dollars to my local chapter of the Down syndrome Society, The North Carolina Down syndrome Alliance. I want to keep working hard and helping others
My name is Kyle Stumpf. I am 30 years old and live in Dubuque Iowa. I graduated from high school in 2009. After graduation I was employed in a sheltered work environment in a segregated setting at sub minimum wage. I worked in that setting for approximately four years. In 2014 I got a job at Papa Johns Pizza in Dubuque. I have been working there for five years now! I love my job! I am making more money and have started to save money in my ABLE account to for the future. I am also a very active participant in the community. I have volunteered my time and go to many events and recreational activities throughout the Community. I have attended statewide conferences on self advocacy as well as Competitive Integrated Employment. During the lead up to the Iowa Caucuses I attended many political events with my Dad telling my story and encouraging candidates to support disability rights. In October 2019 I participated in a legislative briefing in Washington D.C. to tell my story and advocate to end the use of sub minimum wage for people with disabilities
My name is Minal Rosenblum. I am 18 years old and I am a Junior at Montclair High School in NJ. My interests are dance, acting, art, and hanging out with friends. Some years ago, I started creating handmade note-cards in my free time. I realized that when I am doing artwork, I don’t feel anxious.
One day, Ms. Wendy Lacey saw my note- cards and wanted to talk about them. She runs an amazing center called Cornerstone Montclair. This is an amazing place. Ms. Lacey believes in inclusion. She believes everyone can have a job when they have a disability. This place has an amazing store called The General Store. In this store, we are all included. Ms. Lacey asked me if I would sell my cards at The General Store. Now I do business there. Some of my note-cards designs are: watercolor flowers, decoupage, and marbled paper, which I have learned to make at the Montclair Art Museum.
My dream is to make notecards that make you happy and smile. Each card is an original design. I have my own business now. It is called True Colors Designs. Soon I will have my website. Meanwhile, if you are interested in buying my cards you can either buy them at The General Store at Cornerstone Montclair or email me at minal.rosenblum@gmail.com if you do not live close by.
I already told you some things about myself but there is one part which you don’t even know. I have a disability. It is Down syndrome. One thing I learned is that having a disability is normal. You should be proud of who you are. Maya Angelou said that every woman is a phenomenal woman. Her poem means that it doesn’t matter the way you look. All women are beautiful in their own way. Women have the POWER. I have a disability and nobody can mess with me
Dance Happy Designs was founded in 2016 by Julia, Liv, and Emily: three friends on a mission to empower others and celebrate differences through their lifestyle brand. While strengths and abilities may vary, the three founders believe every person deserves the opportunity to forge a meaningful career and have a fulfilling life.
Dance Happy is a silkscreen print studio located outside the city of Philadelphia, PA, which produces handcrafted textile products featuring their original patterns. From hand-cutting patterns to printing fabric to sewing products, everything at Dance Happy is done by hand and with a whole lot of love. Focusing on a refined playfulness, the patterns have an organic but delightful nature to them, speaking volumes to the partnership behind them.
Dance Happy’s patterns are available on an array of textiles products, all of which are made in-house in small, limited runs. Each of the founders contributes to the production of every product made, truly showcasing why inclusion matters
Three years ago in October, we began our “In My Own Words” blog, dedicated to sharing the stories, reflections, and experiences of people with Down syndrome. Since then, we’ve been lucky enough to interview so many truly wonderful people with Down syndrome, and taken a lot of inspiration from all the different kinds of work they do! Please read their stories at: https://www.peoplewithdownsyndrome.com and let us know if you have a story to share, or would like to be interviewed!
“I interview people with Down syndrome because I think their stories need to be heard, and because I enjoy making new friends all over the world,” says Sam.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook @PeopleWithDownSyndrome, or on Instagram and Twitter @peoplewithds
Bethany began taking acting classes and having small parts in theater plays when she was around 6 years old. This really helped her social skills and gave her a desire to be involved in other things. She began cheerleading in the second grade and met her BFF Grace. She continued to cheer and became the first special needs person to be on the High School team. She got involved in different activities with her friend Grace during high school including being in the senior play. She was also the first special needs person to be voted homecoming queen at Whitmer High School. After graduation she got a job as a hostess at The Outback Steakhouse working part time. After about a year working she decided to keep her job but also to go to the University of Toledo through their T-square program. Grace was already attending there too so together they both joined the RockeThon committee. After weeks of practice dancing and raising money they attended the 14 hour day of the RockeThon. She had so much fun, never getting tired. At the end of the night they choose one college boy to be Mr. RockeThon and one girl to be Miss RockeThon. Out of all those students they choose Bethany to be Miss RockeThon. She was so excited. After one year of college Bethany decided she wanted to take acting classes at Starbound Talent Agency. She continues to work, helps in the community and dreams of going to Hollywood and being an actress or a singer
Having Down syndrome has never stopped me from pursing my passion of using food and fire to bring people together. I like to think I’ve been spicing up life for my family and friends since birth and it’s time to spread the love.
The life-changing experiences of going to college at Western Carolina University and training at the award-winning Haywood Smokehouse have inspired me to launch Matthew’s Bonfire BBQ. When you taste the sauce I hope you feel love, warmth and comfort-just like being around a bonfire.
Matthew has a burning passion about disability awareness and expanding opportunities for all. Learn more about Matthew and his mission at BonfireBBQ.com or follow him on Facebook and Instagram @matthewsbonfirebbq!
Matt Ransdell has been a dedicated volunteer in the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System for more than eight years. He loves working with the veterans and creates many smiles as he greets people with a wave and his trademark “thumbs-up.” He passes out lap robes, magazines and other items to patients and once a week plays balloon volleyball with them. Matt is an inspiration to many in his work that supports our nation’s heroes
Kelly is a young lady with Down syndrome and this company was created to assist Kelly in leading a fulfilled and productive life after school came to an end for her. She loves fashion, style and bling, so what better way to express that than to create fashionable jewelry! Special Sparkle is a mother/daughter team where we work together to design and Kelly makes ALL the jewelry! We have been in business for 8 years and continue to grow and thrive! Check us out on Facebook and Instagram and at specialsparkle.com
Through the years Katie McNamee has volunteered at Acme Supermarkets and Senior Nursing Centers but from the young age of 13, Katie’s dream job has always been something involving music. After working very hard for the past year with a non-profit organization All Together Now Music, Katie has finally had her dream come true!
She worked very hard for the past year not only singing her own songs but also writing her own lyrics for the songs! To our knowledge, there is not anyone out there with Down Syndrome who has accomplished this wonderful feat! Katie’s CD is titled Power Of The Music and was released on April 27th, 2019! It is available for download at www.alltogethernowmusic.com/katie where you can also find a music video that was put together.
In her spare time, Katie volunteers at a social program for developmentally delayed young adults named Kate’s Place, a program that was started in her honor