Today (March 21) is World Down Syndrome Day, a special Day for Olivia Brosseau of Glover. Although born with Down Syndrome, she hasn’t let it hold her back. In addition to being an anti-bulling advocate, the graduate of Lake Region Union High School is a student at the Community College of Vermont, and she is the Vermont ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society. She is a true community leader. The following are words that Olivia shares in honor of World Down Syndrome Day.“Down syndrome is not a disease or something you can catch , it’s not a flu or stomach bug , it’s genetic , it’s chromosomal , something you have to be born with , so stop judging us for something we are born with , stop using the r word , stop giving us weird looks , we’re normal just like you , we might talk different , we might look different , but our hearts are the same , our dreams are the same , our lives are the same , we fall in love , we have relationships , we will be able get married , we will have jobs , we will be able to have kids , we will be able to have a house together , that’s the next step we all want , and soon will have. We are lovable , we are kind , we are gentle , we are caring , we are smart , we are able , we are important to everyday life , to society , to our families , to our friends , they are blessed to have us and vice versa. Let’s rise up , let’s use our voice , let’s stand up together hand in hand , and say give us our rights , we are important here , when we do this together , we can be unstoppable.”
To learn more about Olivia and her works, click on the following link to watch a segment of the Northeast Kingdom Voice in which she shares her story: HERE
Thank you, Olivia, for your great words, and thank you for just being you. You are an inspiration to many people.