Success Stories

My name is Shannon Dieriex. I work as an actress in Los Angeles and Orange County, I am a member of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television & Radio Artists). I have done a lot of background work on TV and Film, I was a cast member of Best Buddies the Hip Hop Musical performed at the Fringe Festival in Hollywood., which won sevaral awards. I played the role of Rebecca in the short film called Check Mate which won Best Film for Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. Currently I am working background for a Netflix future episodic, rehearsing for Elf Jr. with The Peformer’s Academy and opening bi-weekly for the Sound of Musical at Second City Hollywood with some of my friends from Best Buddies the Hip Hop Musical. I have gotten a lot of work lately and I love it. I get to meet a lot of new people and sometimes celebrities. I also have done music videos and commercials…look for me…I may appear on your TV

I work as the Dining Room Service Lead at my local Chick-fil-a. I have been working there since April, 2017. I love meeting people and greeting them. I also like taking the trays and getting drinks for people. I look forward to getting dressed up and going in. I like the responsibility-it makes me feel grown up. I enjoy earning money and eating at Chick-fil-a.

All individuals with Down Syndrome should be given a chance to be trained and be productive. This really is important to the community and we should all have that opportunity. My school has provided that opportunity to and enabled Chick-fil-a to see what a hard worker I am

Faith-Christina works at the local Chick Fil A in her hometown of Saint Cloud, Florida. Faith-Christina has been a team member at Chick Fila A over three years! She loves her job and is always learning new things. She been featured on their Facebook page numerous times. She has also been Team Member Tuesday! Faith-Christina works in the dining room and is a condiment bar expert. She is always willing to help the guest and brings a smile and laughter to them. They have loved her so much and she loves being a part of their Team. Her infectious, bubbly personality makes being around her and working along-side of her such a joy!

Employment is a defining aspect of adult life. It connects us to full participation and inclusion in our communities; it fosters a sense of self-worth, opens opportunities for social growth, and leads to greater independence. Employing individuals with intellectual disabilities is a smart business decision and a social responsibility as I told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee in 2011, during the Committee Hearing on Improving Employment Opportunities for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

I have surprised my family and many others over the past thirty nine years of my life. When I was born, I don’t think that my parents imagined me as an advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. I just completed a one- year fellowship as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy Fellow, first on Capitol Hill with the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security and then with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected as the first person with an intellectual disability to serve in this position.

My employment story started early in my life, and it took many years to prepare. I believe that inclusion starts at home. In my family, I was taught that work is part of life. Early on, I helped with family chores, and I was not excused because of my disability. Later on, I learned more about work in high school with an internship at the National Wild Life Federation and at the Davis Career Center. In 1996, I got my first internship at Booz Allen Hamilton through the “Bridges Program” sponsored by the Marriott Foundation, which encourages employers to hire interns with an intellectual disability so they can explore job opportunities.

Once my internship ended, I was hired as an employee and have worked in the distribution center for almost 20 years. My first supervisor was great; she took it upon herself to teach me everything there was to know about being a clerk. She believed in me and she wanted me to succeed as a staff employee. At work, I am treated like other employees. The company cares about my personal and professional development. I am “one of them and not one among them.”. I am empowered to contribute.

Promoting careers for people like me is very important and worth our time and attention. We need to move away from low expectations and start hiring people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. Why, in 2016, aren’t there more integrated competitive employment opportunities for people like me?

I am proud to have a job and I am thankful that all of my employers, Booz Allen Hamilton, CBRE, and currently SourceAmerica, pay me competitive wages, give me full benefits, and include me on the team. I moved from a clerk position to a career of advocacy. Having Down syndrome does not define me as a person. People with disabilities want to be accepted and given an opportunity to succeed like anyone else. People with disabilities are citizens that matter. We are ready and able to work. I pay taxes, I vote, and I matter. Employment is about dignity and inclusion.

Miles Evans is busy 21-year-old from Glen Ellyn, Illinois who loves to work. Miles began volunteering at age 10 as a way to give back and gain job skills. He spent three years as an activity volunteer at a local assisted living community followed by two years as a meal server for homeless community members. During high school, Miles participated in several job training experiences which led him to his love for restaurant work and customer service. Miles applied for his first paid position in late 2018 and was hired at Blackberry Market, a local cafe and bakery within walking distance of home. Miles finds joy in his work bussing tables, caring for customers, and other front of house tasks. Miles and several of his co-workers were unable to work during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, but his bosses at Blackberry Market brought Miles back as a valued team member and trained him on dishwashing and meal delivery to broaden his skills during a time of limited in-restaurant dining. He also works two times a month at a second Blackberry Market location in LaGrange, Illinois. Miles continues his love for volunteering as a Lions Club member, usher at a local arts center, volunteer track coach, self-advocate for National Association for Down Syndrome, and congressional campaign intern. He completes his transition program in 2021 and is looking into inclusive college programs and supported housing

My name is Allison Fogarty and I am CEO of Doggy Delights by Allison LLC. Check out my website – DoggyDelightsByAllison.com. You can check out my dog treats and read more about my life story and my business.

My amazing life journey began when I was born in 1991. My life has been difficult due to Tracheo-Esophageal Fistula and laryngeal cleft (not discovered until I was 11 years old). I had a trach for 23 years, and when I was 11 years old I got a g-tube. I also have Down syndrome.

My medical problems were not easy to live with, and I missed out on a lot. However, these difficulties made me the person I am today. When I could not eat or drink I became obsessed with cooking shows, and this passion turned into my business. I love all things kitchen – I took cooking classes, and I watch chefs on TV and YouTube, read and try recipes, plan menus, and now make and sell dog treats. I mix the recipes, form the shapes and bake them all by myself. Doggy Delights by Allison is a great business for me because I get to work in the kitchen. I also like preparing the packaging for the treats. I have a lot of fun selling my treats. I meet a lot of people and a lot of dogs, too.

I am very thankful to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida (DSACF) because right when we moved to FL from IL they began their first Entrepreneur Academy. I am one of 12 CEOs in the Academy. Being a part of the Academy has helped me (and my sidekicks – my parents) learn how to start a business. The leaders of the Academy are wonderful cheerleaders and encourage us, give important information, bring in speakers, and help us problem solve. Other participants have given us good ideas and feedback, too

Nellie takes part in her local Transition Internship Program for young adults with disabilities. Nellie is 20 years old and has been interning with LendKey for over a year now and graduates from Sycamore High School this year.

As soon as Nellie arrives at work, she knows exactly what she needs to do. Her responsibilities include restocking the snack shelves and entering information from business cards into a spreadsheet that is used for company recruiting. She will use these skills for the rest of her life in her professional career!

Nellie promotes a fun, loving, and supportive workplace environment which resonates with her colleagues at LendKey. Her presence at LendKey means more to the company than just the tasks she completes. Her internship represents the need to recognize neurodiversity in and out of the workplace.

After her internship at LendKey, Nellie hopes to continue to work with authentic companies who support the neurodiverse community

Hello friends! I am an artist. A painter. I have a studio where I paint. I paint shapes. I paint my imagination. I take art classes and watch art videos (I love my online art teacher, Nancy). I sell my work at shows and online and in two galleries. I like to do live painting with my microphone and speaker! Check me out on Instagram @justcharliefrench and cheer me on! Thanks!

Recently, Christina was made aware that State Representative Lauren Arthur, District 18, State of Missouri, was actively recruiting someone with Down syndrome to serve as an intern with her office. Upon contacting her Legislative Assistant, Pedro P Guerrero, an interview was set up, and Christina indicated her desire to volunteer with Rep. Arthur’s office. Christina started her Intern position on January 17, 2018. One of her duties is to select 1-2 members of Missouri’s Hall of Fame of famous Missourians each week, writing a short informative article for the representative’s weekly newsletter to her constituents. Recently, she was introduced on the floor of the Missouri Senate. Her presence and contributions as an Intern serve not only to advance her personal growth and advancement but also serve to educate everyone with whom she comes in contact regarding the potential abilities and talents individuals with Down syndrome possess. Her abilities to communicate, her personality, her work ethic, and her unexpected talents serve to advance the future opportunities members of the Down syndrome community can hope to have. Rep. Arthur’s involvement in actively providing such an opportunity cannot be overstated. The Goedde family deeply thanks, Representative Lauren Arthur

Brandon has a list of goals. He changes them all the time, but he says independence is a step process. Getting a job was at the top this year, but with his travel schedule we’ve discouraged it. He came to me one day and said, “Dad, it’s time I became a man and get a job like you!” I said, “need some help bud?” “No, I need to do this on my own. I may need help updating my resume,” and off he went. Brandon has always had a love for fashion, shopping and networking. He also loves wearing a uniform or a symbol to feel like he’s part of a team. His college career assessments always point to sales/marketing and the arts. Brandon put all these together and scoped out an ideal first job. Independently, he dressed up, with confidence, walked into Billabong, asked for the manager, filled out an application and was given a short meeting. She asked him to come back the following week for an official interview with the regional manager.

The manager hadn’t had the opportunity to engage in conversation with a differing ability candidate, so he asked Brandon to bring in my wife at the end of the interview. His desire was to hire Brandon, but unsure of how he could get around quota’s and willing to learn about accommodations. He was certain Brandon would fit in with the team and that he would love the fun environment. Immediately following the interview, I got a text and picture of the two managers and Brandon standing in front of the store shaking hands. HE WAS OFFICIALLY HIRED and my the picture captured, a milestone in all our lives. They were excited and welcomed him to their team! As he was leaving, the manager had one more question , “with or without a job coach?” Brandon smiled and said, “without a job coach please. I’ve got this!”. My wife said, “there’s always plan B!”

As parents, we discovered that maybe we had done something right allowing Brandon certain freedoms to grow and enjoy every experience through the years. He had gained confidence simply by being placed in situations where he had to advocate on his own behalf. What he has communicated to us both over time, is he wants to get a job so he can work toward his independence. Which means living on his own and eventually finding someone to share his life with. We are now on high alert that when he walks through the door one day and says, “I called the moving company and I found a place to live in Los Angeles or New York City”, the plan is already in motion. His road to independence is in full flight

I have been working at the State Department of Education in the Special Education section as an Administrative Assistant since 2008. I also work for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma through a grant from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, which helped hire two self-advocates. I love my job! I also travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for important bills that support people of all abilities in our community.

My son Rusty graduated from Perry Meridian H.S. in 2013 . He had an immediate position in the University of Indianapolis cafeteria. Through his teachers efforts from school. He worked with a job coach for 1 week then we agreed that he no longer needed a coach. He has currently been asked to join a team at a Oral Therapist office where he receives services himself. He really likes his job! The picture is of Rusty working in a therapy session with his Oral Therapist and another client Leo . He likes this job because he gets to do something different every day he works. He sanitizes therapy toys and tables, walks the office therapy dog, and occasionally get to help with a client. I am so proud of Rusty, I know he can do anything!