Faye Jones

Faye was born in England and moved to the United States in 1996 at the age of 3 years. She started her dance journey after moving to Massachusetts and has now been dancing for over 20 years. In addition to working two jobs, Faye currently enjoys playing soccer, floor hockey and captains a team in […]

Melissa Oddi-Morrison

Melissa is a talented artist who has been an art educator for 25 years. She is also a certified yoga and Yoga For the Special Child instructor. She founded the nonprofit, The Heart In Art, as an inclusive environment dedicated to inspiring & supporting students with challenges.

Courtney Gaines

Courtney Gaines has Down syndrome, and her life is amazing! She goes to high school and is getting ready for college. She is on the DSSA Soccer team, models, acts, sings at church, and shows people what they can do. She helps every chance she gets!

DeAnna Gaines

DeAnna Gaines has worked with individuals with disabilities for almost two decades. She is both her daughter’s mother and her advocate. She graduated from Langston University, an HBCU. She worked as Senior Probation and Parole Officer for the State of Oklahoma prior to transiting to teaching. In addition to her co-advocate, Courtney, she has three […]

Blake Peacock

Having Down syndrome has never kept Blake Peacock, 36, from achieving his dreams. Throughout his life, he has enjoyed live musical theater and dance, and he has performed in several Christian Youth Theatre camps and shows. Blake started with the Improvaneer Method one year ago. It provides him a fun and creative way to continue […]

Anna Fedewa

Anna Fedewa is the Manager of Public Policy for the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) where she manages a federal policy portfolio of issues that affect individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities, including economic and financial security policy issues. Anna also works to connect members of the community to public policy through grassroots initiatives. […]

Boris Richir

Boris Richir, originally from Antwerp, Belgium, received his dance education at the Paris Opera Ballet School, one of the world’s top three dance schools. He started his professional career in 2009 when he joined the prestigious Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, Germany. In 2014, he joined the Boston Ballet followed by the Atlanta Ballet for the […]

Cole LaMarca

Cole LaMarca is sixteen years old and has always had a love for food. This love blossomed into a passion for cooking and baking, and it is safe to say that Cole spends many hours adapting recipes and enjoying the yummy food he makes. Cole created a cookbook, The Kid’s Illustrated Cookbook, to help others […]

De’Vonte Perry

De’Vonte Perry is an actor with a passion for performance, dogs and gardening. He majored in Theatre – Performance and minored in music/communications at Salisbury University. His mission is to equip people with tools that fuel an abundant mindset through theatre games, storytelling, experiencing, collaboration and creative group play. De’Vonte also does outreach work for […]

Lisa Drennan

Lisa has a 38-year career supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be active and engaged within their community. At New England Village in Pembroke, MA, she gained experience in working as a Direct Support Worker and eventually as the Director of The Sollar Wellness Center specifically designed for this population. In 2014, she […]