Photo Series Highlights Friendships and Connections of People With Down Syndrome

“Who Do You Love,” is a photo series that features members of the Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society. What began as a yearly calendar fundraiser, has now become a powerful awareness and advocacy piece in the region of Kitchener, Waterloo. This is the fourth photo series by photographer, Hilary Gauld Camilleri.

The series features children and adults with Down syndrome alongside their favorite people: coaches, teachers, best friends, personal support workers, cousins, grandparents, aunts and siblings.

The effect these projects have had on this community to educate and shift attitudes towards people with Down syndrome has been significant.

One of the participants, Papa, had this to say about his granddaughter, Aria.

“Anticipating the birth of my fourth grandchild, I had no idea how my life was about to change. On May 11, 2016 our beautiful little granddaughter, Aria, was born and diagnosed with Down syndrome. Two years later the fear, anxiety and emotion of that moment has long been forgotten because of this magical gift we have been given. Aria quite simply is about unbridled love and happiness with absolutely no expectations. Her innocence and personality are absolutely intoxicating and I’m just one of the lucky people that get to experience this on a daily basis.”

Through this series of touching photographs we are able to see the village that surrounds the amazing people living with Down syndrome in this community.

Check out the full gallery here.