People with Down syndrome in the news ...

Good sport Brenton calls his own shots 

Emma Spillet, Illawarra Mercury, 15th September 2013
For Woonona sports lover Brenton Ashford-Potter, having a disability has not stopped him from pursuing his athletic goals. The 23-year-old, who has Down syndrome and dyspraxia, has completed a coaching accreditation, training both mainstream players and people with disabilities, as well as participating in a range of sport-related activities. 

Brenton's achievements were the topic of discussion at a workshop in Wollongong (earlier this month), which aimed to help disabled people manage their own care ...

Amplify your art 2013 Grant Recipients: Gerard O'Dwyer

Accessible Arts, September 2013

Gerard O'Dwyer is an actor who uses his profile to challenge entrenched stereotypes, particularly of people with an intellectual disability ... Onscreen Online is an accessible digital-media skills, acting and voice development project. It entails Gerard being trained and mentored by industry professionals across digital media, voice and film production. 

Links to profiles of all twelve Amplify your art grants recipients for 2013 are on this page of the Accessible Arts website.

Hahnville grad with Down syndrome becomes advocate for those with disabilities

Kyle Barnett, St Charles Herald Guide,13th September 2013

Craig Blackburn has a motto by which he lives.

“Never give up. That’s my message. Never give up,” he said. “If you have fears don’t look back, look ahead.”

That is a message the 34-year-old Hahnville High School graduate has been carrying through his entire life, and Blackburn has had to overcome a lot. He was born with Down syndrome as well as a heart defect that had to be repaired through open heart surgery when he was an infant.

Man with Down Syndrome, father walk over 300 miles for awareness

Devon Dolan, KSL Utah, 12th September 2013

A 25-year-old man with Down's syndrome and his father laced up their shoes and set out to achieve what they never thought possible — they are walking across the state. The father and son team have made a goal to walk 300 miles from Washington County to Temple Square. Dave Allen said it's been a long journey, but every step has been worth it ... Bob couldn't walk even a mile seven months ago.

First Spanish TV presenter with Down’s syndrome to go on air

Letizia Orlandi, west, 12th September 2013

Spain’s first TV presenter with Down’s syndrome has made his debut on a programme that promotes the integration of people with disabilities in social and working life. Pablo Pineda, who is well known in Spain not only for being the first person with Down’s syndrome to obtain a university degree, but also for his performance in Yo Tambien, the award-winning 2009 film for which he won the Concha de Plata (the Silver Shell) for best actor ...

Fighter with Down syndrome wants to get in ring

Colette Bennett, HLN TV, 16th September 2013

When 23-year-old mixed martial arts fighter Garrett Holeve was told he couldn't enter the ring to fight an opponent on August 3, he was more than just frustrated -- and it wasn't because he'd trained tirelessly for the fight for two months.

Garrett Holeve said he believes the fight was canceled because he and his planned opponent, ​David Steffan, both have disabilities. But he's not ready to give up yet. With the help of his dad, who spoke to HLN in a phone interview, he's seeking another way to enter the ring.

Modeling dream comes true for girl with Down syndrome
Liz Fields, (US) ABC News, 22nd September 2013
Karrie Brown has all the makings of a model: energy, enthusiasm and a smile that could melt stains off your sleeves.