Kayla, a young girl with Down Syndrome who has hopes and dreams just like us!

This month is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to make everyone aware of just how much individuals with Down Syndrome are capable of and how they are people and have dreams just like we do. The difference is they are even more determined to achieve their dreams and succeed than we are, they are used to having doors closed in their face but this only makes them more resilient and decisive in wanting to get there, no matter what. We have seen them embrace many professions including actors and actresses, gymnasts, models, primary school teachers, chefs, sports instructors, business owners, catering and hospitality managers and so much more.

The Athlete Ambassador Program has recently been set up in an attempt to make a difference to the lives of Down Syndrome individuals enhancing their quality of life and the opportunities open to them so they can become more valued members of today’s society. Athlete Ambassadors can be anyone in anyway related or connected with Down Syndrome individuals who is over 18 and wants to help make that difference! By being active in the local community any volunteers can help raise awareness and valuable funds which go towards promoting a healthy and active lifestyle within the Down Syndrome community. It can be accessed by volunteers all over the world to make a difference in their area no matter where they live! All this as well as raising awareness helps to highlight the abilities of individuals with Down Syndrome too.

Let’s not forget that it is all about inclusion and giving these individuals the opportunities and role models to help them succeed and prove that they can get there. As in the words of my song ‘Different’ they are ‘somebody just like you’!