December 8, 2017

23 Celebrities and Public Figures Who Love Someone With Down Syndrome

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Down Syndrome
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As a parent of a child with Down syndrome, I often wish there was more media representation of families like mine. After all, Down syndrome is the most common genetic condition in the United States — one in every 700 babies is born with Down syndrome.

While there might not be enough shows or other media outlets showing families like mine, there are celebrities and public figures who love someone with Down syndrome, who, by sharing their families, represent mine in some way. I appreciate their efforts to bring awareness and acceptance to people with Down syndrome and elevate the voices of their loved ones.

Here are some celebrities, athletes and public figures who love someone with Down syndrome.

1. Jamie Foxx and DeOndra Dixon

Jammie Foxx with sister Deondra Dixson
image via Facebook
RESOURCES FROM NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS

Oscar and Grammy winner Jammie Foxx has a younger sister, DeOndra Dixon, who has Down syndrome. Jammie and DeOndra are seen together at red carpet events or hosting the yearly fundraiser for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, where DeOndra is one of their ambassadors. In an interview with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Jamie said of his sister, “It’s the way our family treats her. With DeOndra, we let her jump in the water and swim a little bit, so to speak. Our family just treats her like DeOndra. She goes everywhere we go. She’s usually the life of the party!”

2. Caterina Scorsone and Molly

Thank you @emmafeilphotography and @homethrown_la for this great shot of Miss Molly and me. Xo

A post shared by Caterina Scorsone (@caterinascorsone) on

Actress Caterina Scorsone, who can be seen on “Grey’s Anatomy,” shares pictures on her Instagram account of her beautiful baby girl, Molly, who has Down syndrome. In one of her posts she wrote: “Beauty. Love. Peace. Contentment. Acceptance. Belonging. Freedom. Adventure. Blessings beyond my wildest dreams.”

3. John McGinley and Max

image via Facebook

Actor John McGinley is perhaps one of the most recognized celebrities advocating for people with Down syndrome, specifically his son, Max. McGinley is a board member and international spokesperson for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and a key advocate for the Special Olympics campaign: “Spread the Word to End the Word.”

4. Sally Phillips and Ollie

At Lambeth Palace for #sandfordawards2017

A post shared by Sally Phillips (@sallysmack) on

Actress Sally Phillips has a son, Ollie, who has Down syndrome. Sally made a documentary in 2016 titled: “A World Without Down Syndrome?” She set out to make this film with the purpose to ask the questions, “What kind of society do we want to live in? And who do we think should be allowed to live in it?”

5. Kit Harington and Laurent

“Game of Thrones” actor Kit Harington has a cousin, Laurent, who has Down syndrome. In an interview with Independent he said, “We had a wonderful loving upbringing in the same family and had a great time growing up, many times under the same roof and became close friends as well as cousins. My only major difference with Laurent is that he has Down syndrome.“

6. Julie Newmar and John

Julie Newmar holding son with Down syndrome

Julie Newmar is best known in her role as “Cat Woman” during the 60s’ TV show “Batman.” She has an only son, John, who has Down syndrome. In an interview with Closer she said of having a son with Down syndrome: “He’s the cause of the great expansion of my outlook on life. He’s responsible for my understanding and practice of unconditional love. John is what makes my life great.”

7. Stevo-O and Dylan

Steve-O is best known for his (often ridiculous) comedy, but what some people may not know is he is a proud uncle to nephew, Dylan, who has Down syndrome.

8. Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Robin

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with daughter with Down syndrome

Entertainers Roy Rogers and Dale Evans had a daughter, Robin, with Down syndrome. Robin died two days before her 2nd birthday. Dale Evans wrote “Angel Unaware” after their daughter had passed away.

9. Albert Pujols and Isabella

image via Facebook

Albert Pujols is a professional Major League Baseball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angeles and previously played for 11 years with the St. Louis Cardinals. He has a daughter, Isabella, who has Down syndrome. Pujols writes heartfelt messages on his Facebook page where he shares about his daughter, who was the catalyst for him and his wife, Dee Dee, to create the Pujols Family Foundation. Through their foundation they promote awareness, provide hope and meet tangible needs for families and children who live with Down syndrome. They also provide extraordinary experiences for children with disabilities and/or life threatening illnesses. Pujols is originally from the Dominican Republic, and his foundation helps improve the standard of living and quality of life for impoverished children in the Dominican Republic through education, medical relief and tangible goods. In a Facebook post about his daughter, Pujols shared: “There is nothing ordinary about my daughter. I thank God every day that he made her extraordinary. If you love someone with Down syndrome, you know what I mean.”

10. Heath Bell and Jordyn

Heath Bell played professional Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres. He has a daughter, Jordyn, who has Down syndrome.

11. Jake Matthews and Gwen

Jake Matthews, offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons, has a sister, Gwen, who has Down syndrome. In an interview with ESPN he said: “When you’re in a room with her, she smiles and you smile, too. She’s been so good for our family. People don’t understand truly what a blessing it is to have someone in your life with special needs. From afar, it can seem like a burden. But you wouldn’t believe the amount of unconditional love she gives. She’s not influenced by the outside world; everything she does is based from good. She’s the most liked of all the Matthewses because she’s so easygoing.”

12. David Ragan and Adam

NASCAR driver David Ragan has an older brother, Adam, who has Down syndrome. In an interview with SheKnows, David said, “Adam is just a normal older brother. My parents didn’t really teach or tell me anything about Adam’s capabilities. They just always treated him the same as me.”

13. Joc Pederson and Champ

Dodger’s outfielder Joc Pederson has an older brother, Champ, who has Down syndrome. Joc and Champ have a close relationship, and Champ can be seen at most baseball games. In May of 2017, Champ threw the first pitch (which Joc caught). Joc is highly involved with Best Buddies International; him and Champ run the website Live Like a Champ. You can also keep up with this brother duo by following Champ’s Instagram account. In a piece for The Players Tribune written by Joc and Champ, Joc said, “A lot of times people say, ‘I am sorry your brother has Down syndrome,’ and I’m like, ‘Really? No, it’s a blessing, and I wouldn’t be the person I am without him.’ There is nothing to be sorry about. I am extremely lucky.”

14. Gene Stallings and John Mark

Former Alabama football coach Gene Stallings had a son, John Mark, who had Down syndrome. Coach Stallings has been known to reach out to new parents of babies with Down syndrome and write to them as they begin the journey raising a child with a disability. He wrote the book, “Another Season: A Coach’s Story of Raising an Exceptional Son.” Sadly, John Mark died at the age of 46 from a heart condition. In an interview with CBS News, Stalings said, “If the good Lord asked if he could give me a perfectly normal child or Johnny, I’d pick Johnny every time. No doubt about it.”

15. Nik Kershaw and Ryan

Photo of Nik Kershaw singing
image via Facebook

Nik Kershaw, a British singer, came to fame during the 80s. His second son, Ryan, has Down syndrome and is now in his 20s.

16. Joey and Rory Feek and Indiana

Joey, Rory and Indiana
image via Facebook
Rory in hospital bed with Indie
image via Facebook
Joey with Indie
image via Facebook

Joey+Rory were a beloved country bluegrass duo. In 2016 Joey died from cancer. Joey and Rory’s daughter, Indiana, has Down syndrome. Rory writes in his about page on his blog, “Our youngest, Indiana, helps me to make sense of this world.” Rory writes and films and shares his life and stories with Indie on his blog.

17. Joe Diffie and Tyler

Joe Diffie
image via Facebook

Country singer, Joe Diffie, has a son, Tyler, with Down syndrome. In an interview with People several years ago he said, “You’re proud of all your kids, but with Tyler it’s special because any small thing he does is like a giant step.”

18. Michael and Lisa Gungor and Lucette

Both of them closing their eyes and singing. ????????

A post shared by Gungor (@gungormusic) on

Musicians Michael and Lisa Gungor, of the band Gungor, have a daughter, Lucette (Lucy), who has Down syndrome. When Lucy was born Michael wrote on his blog, “Life is a gift. Period. Life is more than salary levels or grade point averages. Life is more than rankings on a chart. Life is about things like love, wonder and joy. And let me tell you, this girl is going to be loved. And while I don’t know that much about Down syndrome (DS) yet, the people with DS that I have seen certainly seem to know how to experience some very real joy and wonder.” Lucette means “light,” and Gungor wrote the song “Light” dedicated to their daughter.

19. Aaron Shust and Michael

Family Day!

A post shared by Aaron Shust (@aaronshust) on

Christian singer, Aaron Shust, has a son, Michael, with Down syndrome. On his son’s 5th birthday he wrote on Facebook:“Our boy was born with a 1 percent survival rate. He was born with half of a heart and has had two open-heart surgeries. X-rays showed he had no tooth buds, but they miraculously all came in. He was deaf, but was miraculously healed. We were told by doctors he would never talk or walk, but we can keep him still or quiet. I give testimony to the Love and Power of the One True God. Michael laughs, he hugs, he eats like a champ, even though he’s tiny. And he just ran into the room and said ‘hi, dada.’ He is the joy of our lives. Cannot imagine life without him.”

20. Dr. Jim Sears and Stephen

Dr. Jim Sears has a brother, Stephen, with Down syndrome. In an episode of “The Doctors” talking about Down syndrome, Sears said, “Instead of just saying, ‘Oh your child’s going to have all of these problems, it’s going to be bad, bad, bad,’ [for] most families with kids with Down syndrome, that child is a huge source of joy.”

21. Savannah Guthrie and Pierce

Savannah Guthrie with family and uncle with Down syndrome

Savannah Guthrie, a journalist and news anchor, has an uncle, Pierce, with Down syndrome. Guthrie’s uncle lived with her and her family for a period of time when she was growing up. She is involved with the National Down Syndrome Society. When she landed her job as an anchor for TODAY, she saw it as an opportunity to raise awareness for Down syndrome and said in an interview, “If I can be a voice to say you should get to know that person who has Down syndrome because your life may be dramatically transformed for the better, then I’d like to be that voice.”

22. Beverly Johnson and Natalie

Supermodel Beverly Johnson has a niece, Natalie, with Down syndrome. Johnson is highly involved with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter she said, “I’ve been around [Down syndrome] all my life, and of course when my sister gave birth to a child with Down syndrome, it really hit home because then it was up to us as a family to make sure that [my niece] Natalie reached her full potential as a human being.”

23. Martha Beck and Adam

Martha Beck and son, Adam
image via Facebook

Author and life-coach, Martha Beck, has a son, Adam. Her book, “Expecting Adam” chronicles her pregnancy and the birth of her son. During her pregnancy, doctors urged her to have an abortion, and she said, “I had to answer the question: what kind of human being is not worth bringing into the world? If it’s a flawed human, then we’re all mistakes.”

What other pubic figures do you know who love someone with Down syndrome? Let us know int he comments.

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Ellen Stumbo is the Parenting Editor at The Mighty. She is also the founder of Disability Matters, an organization with the mission to encourage every church to embrace disability. Ellen is a national speaker who focuses on issues pertaining adoption, faith, disability and parenting kids with disabilities. Ellen writes for several online platforms including Focus on the Family, LifeWay, MomSense, Not Alone, Mamapedia, Group, The Mighty and the Huffington Post. Ellen blogs at ellenstumbo.com and you can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.
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