Nonprofit helping people with Down syndrome break down barriers

Local dance team performs during fundraiser for Down Syndrome Awareness Month

JACKSON, Tenn. — In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, dancers perform at Wes’s Game at the Rockabilly’s Stadium. SEE ALSO: ‘Wes’s Game’ in Jackson to raise awareness for Down syndrome It’s an annual high school baseball competition contributing to local families for Down syndrome awareness. More than 15 high school baseball teams from across the region came to the Rockabilly’s Stadium to participate in the week-long tournament. Dancers fro…

How Chris Burke’s Down Syndrome Saved Other Lives

When Christopher Michael Burke was born on August 26, 1965 and diagnosed with Down syndrome, doctors delivered the news to his parents and then compounded it with a blunt recommendation. Physicians told Frank Burke, a retired New York City Police Inspector, and his wife Marian, Chris would likely never be able to converse and they should plan on putting their son in an institution. Thankfully, they would hear nothing of it. Fifty-nine years late…

When they hear the bell, Lucrecia (40) and Santiago (40) come down the stairs from a sort of mezzanine in which they have their room. He, as always, wears one of his many plaid shirts that he keeps in his closet. She has on her favorite garment: a red blouse.Although they moved together to their apartment in Recoleta just five years ago, there are pictures with pictures of the couple in every corner. They let us guess that they have been for a l…

'I can’t imagine life without her': Local family rallies behind kids and adults with Down Syndrome

Expecting a baby should be a magical time, but for one Tampa mom, she found it hard to find joy in her third pregnancy because of stigma. At 12 weeks, Ela Hersberger found out her daughter Anna Rose would be born with Down syndrome. Even after she and her husband decided to move forward with the pregnancy, she faced challenges from doctors and nurses. Now, Anna is 3 and thriving, and she has many talents.Can I draw with you? Would that be OK?" I…

Nonprofit helping people with Down syndrome break down barriers

GiGi's playhouse has dozens of programs for people with Down syndrome.

Celebrating value of human life on World Down Syndrome Day

Guest columns, like Letters to the Editor, do not reflect the opinions of The Reporter, its publisher or its staff. You can submit your own guest column by email to News@ReadTheReporter.com. Please include your headshot, phone number, and city of residence. By MARIO MASSILLAMANY Guest Columnist In recognizing World Down Syndrome Day, I want to take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary contributions individuals with Down syndrome make to our c…