DOWNSIDE UP

A BIT ABOUT US

Established in 2017, Downside Up is a foundation dedicated to raising awareness about Down Syndrome and supporting people with this condition. It is my aim to instigate down syndrome equality, and the proceeds raised by Downside Up will go towards one-on-one education for children with down syndrome and assist them throughout their transition into adulthood. Everyone is important, and everyone matters; that is why I am trying to give people with down syndrome opportunities in the workforce and provide them with a sense of purpose and contribution to society.

Often, people with Down Syndrome suffer from health complications since their birth and have an increased risk of developing illnesses such as; hearing/ vision impairment, leukaemia, dementia, heart problems, and thyroid. For more information about the health risks associated with Down Syndrome, follow this link. Due to the significance and likelihood of people with down syndrome acquiring such conditions, a portion of the money raised through Downside Up will go towards financial support for them and their families during times of illness and recovery.

Dedicated to making people smile, I hope to spark the same joy in peoples lives as my best friend, Tony (a proud down syndrome man), has touched my life. Candles are a symbolic figure, which represents warmth and eternal light, in hope to turn every frown upside down, and to flip all negative stereotypes regarding down syndrome, on their heads.

To me, down syndrome is not a disability, but, in fact, an ability to provide unconditional love to their peers; and in my eyes, I believe that ordinary, able-bodied people lack the ability to see and appreciate the everyone's unique beauty.