Observance of Down Syndrome Awareness Month officially ends this October. To mark the occasion, it's only fitting to acknowledge individuals with Down syndrome who have made a huge difference in the world.
These exemplary people with Down syndrome are showing everyone that having a chromosomal condition shouldn't be seen as a setback. They are helping change the perception that special needs people have limited abilities and they are definitely pushing the boundaries.
In Argentina, Noelia Garella is hailed as the first nursery school teacher with Down syndrome. At 31 years old, she handles a class filled with preschoolers at the Jermonito school in Cordoba and she has broken the taboo associated with special needs people with cognitive challenges, according to The Independent.
The school hired Noelia Garella in 2012 as a reading assistant and noticed her "strong vocation" towards children. Her students, their parents and her co-teachers accept her as a regular person. Ironically, Noelia Garella was rejected as a child trying to get into nursery school before.
Garrett Holeve is a 27-year-old Mixed Martial Arts professional fighter with Down syndrome. Though the sports commission barred him from fighting for years, citing his condition, Garrett Holeve pursued the sport and his right to compete.
Holeve finally was able to have his first sanctioned battle in July 2015 and now has a record of 1-1-0 for wins, losses and draws, per Mixed Martial Arts. Garrett Holeve sports career is only getting started.
In Sydney, 48-year-old Russell O'Grady celebrates his 30 years as an employee at McDonald's and he has become a hometown legend. He started working at a branch at 18 years old and remained in the company's employ because customers love him, Daily Mail reports.
Most people don't see him as a person with Down syndrome and his duties involve cleaning the store and kitchen tasks. But he's the guy who usually greets the customers, which is why he's well-known among the community. "He's a very familiar face to a lot of people," one customer told the news outlet.
Elisha Reimer became the first teenager with Down syndrome to climb the basecamp of Mt. Everest in 2013 at 15 years old. Achieving such a feat is short of amazing as reaching the basecamp is already a big challenge for most climbers.
What's more impressive is that Elisha Reimer led his group up on the trail to Mt. Everest, according to People. He didn't let his disability slow him down or stop him from succeeding.
Aren't these people with Down syndrome inspiring? Check out the video below for more wonderful stories and achievements of people with Down syndrome. Tell the world about them by sharing this post!
