Meet Bryan Lambke
Depending on where you live, you may have a celebrity in your neighborhood. He’s rubbed elbows with such notables as David Hasselhoff, Rob Lowe, Carl Lewis and the BlackEyed Peas, including one of his favorites, Fergie. He counts Chris Burke, from ABC’s Life Goes On, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the international Special Olympics, as special friends. He’s also co-authored two books that have been translated into Romanian and French and sold in every U.S. state and 12 countries. And he’s the winner of several Olympic medals, including one particularly treasured honor—a Special Olympic Gold Medal from the 2003 Special Olympic Summer World Games held in Dublin, Ireland.
For full article: http://www.wranglernews.com/fp120608.htm
His website: www.spiritcourageresolve.com
Meet Robbie Rist
Jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet may sound like a nightmare for many people; but for a South Bend man with Down syndrome, it was his dream. The Logan Center helped that dream come true. 25-year-old Robbie Rist lives at a Logan group home. Recently he went to his home manager and told her he wanted to go kydiving!The first thing he said on the ground was that he wanted to do it again! He also wants to try para-sailing; and they plan to do that sometime next year.
Full article:
http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/34485889.html
Meet Kristin Pass
Kristin Pass, 18, center, was named homecoming queen at her Texas high school, beating two other finalists for the crown. "There wasn't a dry eye to be seen," said Carolyn Pass, the mother of newly crowned queen Kristin Pass, who was born with Down syndrome 18 years ago. The crowd at the Aledo High School football stadium erupted into cheers and gave her a standing ovation during halftime at Friday evening's game. "She is incredible in so many ways," she holds a part-time job at a local restaurant and is a computer whiz. And while some may assume Pass' condition might alienate her from her peers, the teen's family and friends say that she's always had a lot of friends."She gets along well and meets people well. That hand goes out as soon as she sees someone she doesn't know."
Full article:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=6025166&page=2
Meet Karen Gaffney
An hour before sunrise, with temperatures in the low 30s, Karen Gaffney strapped on a bright red swim cap and kid-size turquoise goggles. She tucked a neon glow stick under the goggle strap, took a deep breath, stretched her arms in her full wetsuit and plunged into the 60-degree waters off Dead Man's Point on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe. Her mission: To be the first person with Down syndrome to cross the lake, swimming nine miles from the East Shore to the West Shore's Sugar Pine Point. Why? Because she can. Karen, a 29-year-old from Portland Ore., has a college degree, and is a public speaker advocating the abilities of people with Down syndrome with her own non-profit, The Karen Gaffney Foundation. The swim is aimed at raising money for the nonprofit National Down Syndrome Congress.
Full article:
http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20070928/LIFE01/70927006
Her website: www.karengaffneyfoundation.com
Meet Andy Miyares
This is Andy Miyares' second Special Olympics World Games. The swimmer from Miami holds 10 world records for swimmers with Down syndrome and eight American records for swimmers with disabilities.
Full Article:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/GMANow/story?id=3689877&page=1
Meet Jeremy McCarthy
Jeremy McCarthy sweeps up at the end of his work shift at McClatchy High School's teen center for disabled students. He also teaches golf, takes college music classes and plays basketball and floor hockey. He travels, dances and, in his rare free moments, enjoys watching wrestling videos. Jeremy is 26 and has Down syndrome. His latest project? Role model. McCarthy and other adults with Down syndrome are featured in a new book and video designed to inspire parents who have, or are expecting, children with the condition. The nonprofit Down Syndrome Information Alliance will be releasing "Dreams in Reality" at its annual Celebration of Hope fundraiser in downtown Sacramento.
Full article: http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1371058.html
Meet Johnny
Johnny is a young man with Down syndrome who changes the culture of a grocery store by capturing a universal truth... lead with the heart. He teaches us that we could all make a difference if we only had the courage to try.
Watch the video: http://www.stservicemovie.com/
Contact us at DownRightBeautiful@hotmail.com