The National Advocate for People with Down Syndrome Since 1979

National Down Syndrome Society
666 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York New York 10012
800-221-4602
info@ndss.org 

Family This section of My Great Story features stories about families.
Zaid's Story: Turning Disabilities into Possibilities
Tamara Khader, Atlanta, GA

Just One of the Boys
Rose Godfrey, Brownsville, CA

Leo: My Life
Leo Harpenau, Bloomington, IL

About My Brother Michael... Who Happens to Have Something Extra Special
Angela Girgis , Bakersfield , CA

Adopting Neko
Elizabeth Goulding, San Jose, CA

You Should Have Named Her "Angel"
Cathy Dvorak, Blaine, MN

A Lifetime Loving Liam
Amy Kupukaa, Lehi, UT

Seth Thomas
Taylor Klauk, Charlotte, NC

More Alike Than Different
Chelsea Auburn, Rochester, NY

When Nobody Wants Your Child with Down Syndrome
Sybille Castro, Kenai, AK

I Love My "Angel"
Sandra Enriquez, Paramount, CA

Betty Lou's Books
Deborah Grosch-Gaudio, Wantage, NJ

Our Family's Special Gift
Therese Skalnik, Plainfield, IL

Nic: My Shining Star
Deidra Brooks, Spring Valley, CA

My Angel Annie
Joni Woodring, Brownstown Township, MI

My Cousin Rodney
Erica Yeager, Westfield, PA

Special Miracles
Sabrina Moyer, Troy, ID

Cinderella and Her Prince Charming
Penny Soldo, Clovis, CA

My Sunshine on a Rainy Day
Paula Lamar, Owensboro, KY

The Words that Called to This Mother's Heart
Julie Raeburn, Chuluota, FL

Blessings in Disguise
Sonya Parker, Fairmont, NC

Perfectly Imperfect
Stephanie Shepherdson, Richmond, VA

Abigail's Journey
Doug Hutton, Troy, MO

True Love
Kasey Smith, Amarillo, TX

Emma's Smile
Sarah Irby, Houston, TX

Who Let the Dawg out?
Molly Cushman, Danvers, MA

Tim Mahoney
Sarah Contino, Wesley Chapel, FL

My Little Brother
Ryan Saharovich, Memphis, TN

The Story of Our Son, Keevon Moore
Candice and Kelvin Harned, Macon, GA

Orlin
Laramie Brooks, Cincinnati, OH

The Lucky Ones
Genevie Cano, Princeton, TX

Our Chicken Little
Holly Ruffle, Johnstown, OH

God's Little Man (Gabriel Leonardis Montemayor)
Kimberly Martin, Salem, OR

My Brother "Used" to Have Down Syndrome
Eva Glettner, Los Angeles, CA

Xander Parker
Tiffany Ward, Morgantown, WV

Miracle Molly
Shanda Zeschke, West Bountiful, UT

Knowing You
Stephanie Hansen, Rexburg, ID

Brandon Shines
Ernest Zick, Sheldon, VT

My Cheese to My Macaroni
Crystal Garcia, Valdosta, GA

Saint Cecilia
Iva Powers, Kansas City, KS

Kenslie
Brittany Meyer, Mill Spring, NC

You Are My Sunshine
Brandi Axell, Tallula, IL

My Sweet Ruby
Shantae Vega, Taylorsville, UT

My Hero
Nick Ordoñez, Huntington Beach, CA

Perfectly Parker!
Katherine Pittman, Ellisville, MS

Trapped
Linden Rigler, Kalispell, MT

We Are On A Mission... Matthew's Mission
Kathleen Haikes, Scranton, PA

Lilli's Childlike Faith
Shannon Magill, Delaware, OH

My Son
Tracy Lovett, Newport News, VA

Lucy the Wonder Girl
Leah Sullivan, Muscatine, IA

Then There Were Two...
Sandra Guichard, Covington, LA

Determination vs. Limitations
Lisa Magoto, Russia, OH

Mollie's Miracle
Sherrie Cates, Ripley, TN

God's Blessing
Joshua Haynes, Pekin, IL

Bubb's T-Ball Christmas Party
Risa Padden, Edwardsville, PA

Good Things Come in Threes
Jennifer Owen, Millerton, PA

Being Kunal
Aashish Sharma, Wellesley, MA

To My Daughter - Miss Harper Taj
Brittany Pettit, Laguna Niguel, CA

Daddy's Girl
Felipe Martinez, El Paso , TX

Babies with Down Syndrome are Beautiful
Denise Toon, Okeana, OH

Blake Hendon the Star
Felisha Hendon, Florence, MS

From a Sister's Heart
Anais Hernandez, Orlando, FL

Anna's Angels
Jessica Greer, Covington, LA

My Little Sister
Benjamin Harrington, Auckland, New Zealand

Years Come and Go
María-Clara Pretto, Tampa, FL

Imagine
Brandiss Pearson, Syracuse, NY

Beautiful Princess
Martha Padilla, Salem, OR

Kaley
Kristina Bowman, Petoskey, MI

One Year
Kari Reeves, Chattanooga, TN

What God Gave Me...Twice!
Chally Aalbers, Fort Worth, TX

Big Guy Nick
Teresa Unnerstall, Aurora, IL

My Special Buddy Haven
Jennifer Horne, Bennettsville, SC

Brendon's Big Adventure
Briann Coffer, Indianapolis, IN

My Inspiration, My Big Sister, My Best Friend
Ashley Henry, California, PA

My Son
Shirley Williams, Bonne Terre, MO

Landon's Great Story
Krystal Gurganus, Spartanburg, SC

The Gift of Bryson
Michael Young, Eagle Mountain, UT

Danny Boy
Katrina Miller, Hopkins, MN

Dealing With the Unexpected
Casey Vice, Flemingsburg, KY

My Angel My Ady
Alison Davis, Cumberland, MD

In My Womb I Carried You
Alma Hernandez, Las Vegas, NV

Ryland's Story
Jennifer Willey, Dover Foxcroft, ME

Loving La`Mena
Stephany Hartt, Brooksville, FL

Love and Inspiration
Maria Polizzi, Copiague, NY

Noah's Adoption Story
Jessica Brantley, West Monroe, LA

A New Purpose
Kimberly Phillips, Spartanburg, SC

My Little Sister
Teresa Fuoss, Mitchell, SD

A Note to My Daughter on Her 2nd Birthday
Michael DelVecchio, Yorktown Heights, NY

My Supergirl
Michelle Marsh, Coon Rapids, MN

Sissy
Stephanie Wincik, Erie, PA

Machayla
Nichole Hein, Blue Mountain, MS

I Nicknamed her Wiggy
Nancy Watson, Ridgewood, NY

There Are No Limits
Leslie Castellanos, Los Angeles, CA

Two Peas in a Pod
Nickey McFadden, Monticello, IL

Rebekah and Ada
Judy Hewett, Laurens, NY

My Son's Story of Triumph!
Natasha Dobbins, Eagle, NE

Our Summer Girl
Katie & Evan Routzahn, Brunswick, MD

The Love Chromosome
Derrick Tennant, Atlanta, GA

My Baby Brother Who Has Down Syndrome
Carmen Cruz, Owensboro, KY

Aleia's Story
Erica Fritter, Barnesville, OH

Izabella's Voice
Betsy Wynn, Hastings, NE

Leila's Story
Diana White, Yerkes, KY

God's Gift To Me
Michelle Schrader, Lake City, FL

What Really Matters
Debbie Christianson, Nashua, NH

Elmo Care
Julie Chauvin, Morrisville, VT

Sweet Baby Leo!
Catherine Glavan, Portland, OR

The Miracle of Jordan
Cathy McDuffie, Bear Creek, NC

Grass Isn't Always Greener
Eva Lietzow, Foothill Ranch, CA

It's a Wonderful Day
Shagun Rastogi, Delhi, India

Our Little "Sport"
Edie Newcomb, Marquette, MI

It Starts With A Voice
Amy Wright, Wilmington, NC

Why Not Us?
LeeAnn Pressler, Grove, OK

An Older Sister's Appreciation
Kara McDowell, Pittstown, NJ

My Sweet Life
Christine (Gigi) Niskanen, Portland, OR

Love Came Down
Margie Howell, Locust Grove, GA

Amazing Grace
Melanie McLaughlin, Medford, MA

My Firework
Elizabeth Scheel, Glen Rock, NJ

My Surprise & Joy
Teresa White, Jacksonville, FL

Budding Entrepreneur
, ,

Haley's Journey
Jessica Fields, Wichita Falls, TX

The Love of My Life
Brandie Davis, Reidsville, NC

A Mother's Pride!
Laura Dittsworth, Altoona, PA

My Great Story to My Mom
Carson Goodwin, Greenwich, CT

My Brother, My Heart
Leah Gilbert, Fort Worth, TX

Jessica's Down Syndrome Pregnancy
Jessica Weigand-Martine, Bristol, PA

A Little Fighter
Tonya Brooks, Camden, OH

Geraldine Gonzales
Joe Farley, Cheltenham, PA

The Day My Life Changed
Anne Hollis, Elmwood, Illinois

Amazing Ariyah
Jazmyne Torres, Saint Petersburg, FL

My Daughter, My Angel
Maria Torres, Flushing, New York

My Sweet Emily
Callie Gnerre, Patterson, New York

A Family Like Ours
Ayoca Freeman, Hartwell, GA

My Amazing Daughter
Gina Frias, Pioneer, CA

A Story of Happiness
Jennifer Seiger, Warrior Run, PA

Greetings
Paul Doney, Sydney, NS

Eyes Wide Open
Maria Reyes, Fort Smith, AR

My Son, My Inspiration
Pamela Garcia, Clementon, NJ

Hello Anna
Todd Trimakas, Charlotte, NC

Erdmann Family Story
Kelly and Mark Erdmann, Stockton, CA

Smiley
Nicole Stroupe, Morganton, NC

My Inspiration
Anna Fry, Broomfield, CO

Living Behind The Beauty Shop
Hal Manogue, Brentwood, TN

Morgan's View
Michelle Summers, Bradenton, FL

My Strength and Love
Stacey Deal, Morganton, NC

Amazing Trista
Diane Adams, Orange, CA

Our Adoption Story
Chas and Deb Nevsimal, Kewaskum, WI

My Charlie
Bob Black, Plainsboro, NJ

Chromozones
Sophie Kanat-Alexander, San Anselmo, CA

Three Things
Melissa Melissa, Ocean City, NJ

Cardboard
Jolie Kanat, San Rafael, CA

Vanessa Lee
Jennifer Bonawitz, Philadelphia, PA

Ronan: Up the Down's Path
Linda Miyahira, Simi Valley, CA

What's In a Name?
Steve Virgen, Huntington Beach, CA

Different Sneakers
Jessica Melville, Sandwich, MA

He Did It!
Staci Kolb, East Greenwich, RI

Peighton
David Sunseri, Metairie, LA

My New Kitten
Mindie Crutcher, Normal, IL

My Brother Vinny
Denise LoPiccolo, Nanuet, NY

No Heart-Guard
Elizabeth Maier, Eureka, CA

My Brother
Courtney Carr, Laurel Springs, NJ

My Inspiration
Kaley Durland, Tulsa, OK

Our Shining Star
Maria Landa, Pacoima, CA

Great Smile
Toy Jones-Muhammad, Orange, NJ

Celebrating Kay
Anne Lynn, Charlotte, NC

My Amazing Son
Ashley Dunn, Prince George, VA

Lauren's Sleepover
Eileen Borenstein, Oreland, PA

My Husband to Be
Niki Kiser, Cincinnati, OH

Awakened By Her Birth
Sarah Hartman, Amite, LA

It's a Wonderful Life!
Anthony Covello, Runnemede, NJ

Family Power!
Jennifer Katz, Decatur, GA

A Pinch of Hope
Nicole Dupuis, Fort Wayne, IN

Mason and Me
Felicia Tagalogon, Chino Hills, CA

My Angel
Natasha McBee, Tazewell, TN

The Love of Our Lives
Laurie Bargiel, Oak Ridge, TN

Gabby
Nancy Iannone, Sewell, NJ

Emily
Karen Snyder, Gilbertsville, PA

Emily Elizabeth
Heather Sarazin, Pawtucket, RI

Gerry, My DELIGHT
Shiela Gonzales, Huntingdon Valley, PA

Bye Bye Ceiling
Tacee Webb, Portland, OR

Lil' Ray of Sunshine
Melissa Burris, Glendive, MT

Uncle James
Renae Wylie, Livermore, CA

Austin
Christian Polk, Pearl River, LA

My Brother Cameron
Maddie Shemansky, Canonsburg, PA

The Other Side of the River
Chaya Ben Baruch, Safed, Israel

It's Two for Tuesday
Kristin Hollway, Bokeelia, FL

My Amazing Niece
Nora Wegener, Bartlesville, OK

Dylan oh' Dylan
Daniel South, Fullerton, CA

Frankie's Garden
Karla Cyr, Cross Lake Twp, ME

Sister's Expectations
Gina Rowland, Dover, NH

An Extra Leaf
Charrissa Browning, Port Orchard, WA

Sisterly Love
Alicia Keyes, Clinton, MA

Presley Monroe
Destiny Robinett, Dayton, OH

The Magic of Life
Eliana Tardio, Bonita Springs, FL

Umma's Boy Theo
Cheryl Hovestadt, Berkley, MA

Jonathon
Debbie Kilgore, El Reno, OK

Awesome Austin
Christine Paquin, Cortland, NY

The Sweetest Thing
Arohanui Archibald, Pocatello, ID

Chapter Two
Kelly Erdmann, Stockton, CA

God's Children
Alexandra Rapley, Sinking Spring, PA

My Son Sees Dragons
Trey Shaver, Fairview, TN

Sarah
Betty Heydt, Akron, PA

My Adventures Begin!
Ty Churchman, Loomis, CA

My Brother
Tracy Churchman, Loomis, CA

God's True Grace in Elijah's Eyes
Lela Hale, Cerulean, KY

My Brother Conner
Abby DeGroot, Leota, MN

Our Miracle, Giovanna
Leonilda Apel, East Stroudsburg, PA

Upside Down
Teresa Armstrong, South Riding, VA

Bethany!
Phillip Holder, Douglasville, GA

Sierra's Smile
Ann Canales, Abilene, TX

My Inspiration
Dawn High, Leola, PA

The Big Brother
Leticia Campos, Guadalajara, JA

My Family is a Car
Katie Vaughan, Roanoke, VA

The View
Holly Fedele, Biloxi, MS

My Worthiness
Donna Helinski, Columbia, MD

Johnny
Holly Chambers, Charlotte, NC

Aggressive Knowledge
Bret Kubin, Portage, MI

Transformation
Kelle Hampton, Naples, FL

A Family's Gift
Kathleen Haikes, Scranton, PA

I Have a Wonderful Son With Down Syndrome
Liliam Alvarez, Lima, Peru

Our Precious Molly
Carrie McLaren, Orange Park, FL

Our special Ryan
Robin Moloney, Atlantic Highlands, NJ

Kamdyn
Tricia Dutterer, Hanover, PA

Walking with Seth
Teresa Miller, Mt Carmel, IL

Life With Mike
Angie Douthit, Miami, OK

My Lil Bro Quintin
Kayla Thompson, Derby, KS

My Husband Mark Potee
Niki Kiser, Cincinnati, OH

My Little Girl
Judy Hawk, Van Buren, AR

Inclusion At Its Best
Lori Christopher, Derby Line, VT

My Sister-in-Law
John Cooke, Dutch Flat, CA

Letting Go
Betty Shanks, Spokane, WA

She's My Sister
Amanda Felt, Portland, OR

Kyle and Hunter
Kelly Krei, Thornton, CO

Judy Vanishes
Joyce Scott, Dutch Flat, CA

Receiving my Angel Baby
Dionne Spooner, Minot, ND

Sibling's Perspective
Coree Keenan, Roseville, CA

A Recipe of Love
Linda Hougland, Lexington, KY

Tajee, the Great!
Talina Jones, Syracuse, NY

Up Syndrome
Adriana Ferretiz, Palestine, TX

My Little Blessing
Shannon Blaeske, Fort Myers, FL

My Special Angel
Laura Buck, Cooperstown, NY

Jack's Story
Jason Canterbury, Wesley Chapel, FL

The Best Bro
Ery Bautista, Portland, OR

Two Hearts
Laurie Putnam, Chelmsford, MA

An Angel in Disguise
Suzanne Revers, Cedar Rapids, IA

My Amazing Brother
Kian Morley, Scituate, MA

Happy 44th B-day Paul
Cathy Vermillion, Basking Ridge, NJ

Proud Dad
Tim Kelley, Norfolk, MA

Troubling Ableness
Melissa Winchell, W. Bridgewater, MA

Special in a Different Way
Sandhya Sharma, Wellesley, MA

Just Jordan
Corinne Bludworth, Whitefish, MT

A Story of Success
Gene Traver, Greenfield, MA

My Inspiration
Jessica Kalil, Methuen, MA

Absolutely Blessed
Karen Leo, Brookfield, MA

Rebecca
Sydney Reynders, Newton, MA

A Special Place in My Heart
Vinita Kolluri, Saratoga, CA

Memorable Moments
Eddie Vargas, Gardner, MA

Surprise!
Kerry Momnie, Londonderry, NH

Different Is Not Less
Lisa Nicholson, Brattleboro, VT

Love Is A Home
Leonard Conlin, Worcester, MA

Our Little Joe
Angie Polejewski, Fergus Falls, MN

The First Time Nate Spoke to Me: Written by Nonny
Donna McKusick, Baltimore, MD

Albuquerque
Rebecca Johns, Albuquerque, NM

Our Daughter's Name is Hope
Rosalie Forster, Worcester, MA

Lil Slice of HEAVEN
Brittany Pye, Cottageville, SC

Jacob -- The Magic That Mom Needed
Nancy Parsons, Hartsburg, MO

Aaryan Swami, The Inspirartion
Navneeta Khemka, Briarwood, NY

My Isaiah
Angela Lombardo, Somerville, MA

Luke & Laughter
Linda Pedreira, Whitestone, NY

Hannah's Smile
Belinda Steinert, Santa Barbara, CA

Our Gift From God Named David
Virginia Paxton, Atchison, KS

Mothers Day
Jo Ann Simons, Swampscott, MA

Our Sweet Heart Bradley
Amy Kelley, Melrose, NM

With Grace On My Side
Mackenzie Kile, Abilene, TX

My Precious Danielle
Linda Sams, Memphis, TN

I love you 'Dada!' Julian Thomas Sherman
Gretchen Mather, Lexington, MA

Siblings With Down Syndrome and God's Love
John Leslie, Lakeside, CA

Daddy's Girl
Kristin Hendricks, Apopka, FL

Wish for a Father's Day Hug
Kirk Anderson, West Bloomfield, MI

One Amazing Guy
Beth Ann Chiles, Mason City, IA

A Special Bond
Debbie Morris, Brooklyn, NY

Maestro of My Heartstrings
Pam Bonsper, Carmel Valley, CA

Shelter in a Storm
Lisa Dunning, Tulsa, OK

Cooper Doyle
Fred Pariseau, South Windsor, CT

Jody's Story
Julie Cyree, Antioch, TN

Daddy You are the Best!
Andrea Cole, Topsfield, MA

Can You See Me?
Renee Bennett, League City, TX

Rachelle's Life
Juanita Thomason, Kingsford Heights, IN

Vague Memories - Life and art work of Kasia Puciata 1961-2004
Joanna Puciata, McHenry, IL

My Helper
Michele Morgan, Greenland, OH

Samantha Rose
Donna Crigger, Knoxville, TN

'Fragile'
Pamela Sargeant, Conshohocken, PA

Emma Grace
Shea Patterson, Pilot Point, TX

My Sunshine
Bethany Juarez, El Reno, OK

Her Name is Madison
Brandy Turner, Franklin, KY

Rebeca Esther 'My Standing Blessing'
Elsa Sifuentes, Columbus, OH

My son, my hero
Kelli Forrester, Gainesville, GA

Alex's Grace
Ricci Willis, Redding, CA

Baby William
Andrea Matz, Lake Zurich, IL

Lessons I Have Learned
Christina Hoffman, New Bloomfield, PA

Summer Rites of Passage
Arlene Platten, Redondo Beach, CA

My Little Rock Star
Brandi Couch, Amarillo, TX

Proud Mom
Julie Cevallos, Cos Cob, CT

My Brother is a Blessing
Lindsey Modin, College Station, TX

Keegan
Cindy Rhinevault, Toledo, OH

Let Me Tell You a Secret About a Father's Love...
Christine Sheffield, Antelope, CA

My Beam in the Sunshine State
Katelin Pomilio, Titusville, FL

Skyler: My Hero
Evangolyn Mason, Jacksonville, AR

My Brother
Charles Lenell, Rockford, IL

Our Miss Avary
Vanessa Adams-Cannon, Seaford, DE

Jamie Lynn - Our Inspiration
Anne Davis, Bethel Park, PA

Our Amazing Ashley
Cindy Urso, Pittsburgh, PA

Special Needs Means Extra Special
Pam Fleenor, Vandalia, OH

My Sweet Angel
Rachel Efrosman, Staten Island, NY

Superhero Day
George Estreich, Corvallis, OR

World Peace
RuLinda Krasovic, Denison, TX

Down Syndrome at 21
Tara Garrett, Nashville, TN

My C.J.
Sarah Sweeny, Stamford, CT

Lil Devin
Melissa Kaupa, Wells, MN

A Marley Surprise
Jacqueline Martinez, Kailua Kona, HI

Come to Think of It
Karen Strite, Hephzibah, GA

The Smile that Changed My Life...
Heather Quist, Comstock Park, MI

Thanksgiving Bouquet
Katherine Rivera, Knoxville, TN

My Sister and Her Movies
Keith DeLong, Columbus, OH

The Eyes Have It
Michelle Helferich, Summerville, SC

A Thanksgiving to Remember
Richard Alesky, Downers Grove, IL

Blessed With An Angel
Judy Hawk, Van Buren, AR

The 'Eyes' Have It!
DeeDee Baker, Abilene, TX

I Love You Mommy
Laura Wilson, North Pole, AK

My Little Angel
Hannah Church, Cape Coral, FL

God Doesn't Make Mistakes
Ashley Holder, Strawberry, AR

Our Special Gift Cheyenne
Beth Akers, Elizabeth City, NC

Our Daughter the Dancer
Amy Julia Becker, Lawrenceville, NJ

Because Daniel was Born with 47 Instead of 46 Chromosomes
Mary Mc Hale, Omaha, NE

A Parent's Hope
Steve Slack, Hurricane, WV

Loving Outside the Lines: Lessons from an Earth Angel
Jannirose Fenimore, Yellow Springs, OH

Opening My Eyes
Marjorie Magga, Roseville, MI

Charles in Charge
Connie Heckert, Oakwood, CA

Jacob's Journey: A Special & Determined Little Boy
Marla Murasko, Plymouth, IN

A Jewish Princess Named Johanna
Hallie Sklar, Stamford, CT

Giving Birth to a King
Rossy Mancebo, Bronx, NY

Everyday People
Michael Tamez, Bloomingdale, IL

Bella Rose, Sweet as can be!
Theresa Eustaquio, Las Vegas, NV

  • Buddy Walk
  • NDSS Yourway
  • My Great Story