Down Syndrome
Welcome to the A2A Down Syndrome Advocacy Resource Center (ARC), an outreach project of the nonprofit Adversity 2 Advocacy Alliance, aiming to help individuals impacted by Down syndrome step into Down syndrome advocacy.
We hope you’ll be inspired by our A2A Advocates impacted by Down syndrome, and we invite you to listen to our A2A Spotlight features and A2A 1-on-1 interviews sharing powerful stories of how individuals impacted by Down syndrome are turning adversity into advocacy.
While you’re here, we hope you’ll join our Down Syndrome Messages of Hope campaign. Give hope. Get hope. All in 30 seconds. And if you’re interested in sharing YOUR story with the help of one of our professional journalists, let us know!
Oh, and please be sure to add your name to our Wall of Allies, so you can show your support for our advocates. If you’d like, we’ll also send you our free monthly e-newsletter.
Meet our A2A Advocates
Spotlight – Allison Litton Created A Meal Delivery Service To Meet Cancer Patients’ Needs
KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and A2A founder Jeff Bell spotlights Dr. Allison Litton, the founder of Meals OnCol. After three close friends were diagnosed with late stage cancer Dr. Litton developed a line of meals specifically designed to help alleviate the side...
Spotlight – Suicide Prevention Outreach Helps Grieving Mom Heal
KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and A2A founder Jeff Bell Spotlights Agnes McKeen, who lost her teenage son Harrison to suicide in 2015. Agnes founded Just Talk Suicide Prevention, a nonprofit that promotes healing, hope and suicide prevention awareness. If you...
Spotlight – Stanford Grad Student Helps Fight Mental Health Stigma Through “The Manic Monologues”
KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and A2A founder Jeff Bell spotlights Zack Burton who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2017. In an effort to fight the stigma of mental illness, Zack and his girlfriend Elisa Hofmeister created "The Manic Monologues,” a powerful play...
Spotlight – Paralyzed After Being Shot, Wesley Hamilton Believes Disabled Is A Mindset
Jeff Bell, KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and founder of the Adversity 2 Advocacy Alliance spotlights Wesley Hamilton, founder of the nonprofit Disabled But Not Really (DBNR). Having difficulty adjusting to life in a wheelchair, Wesley was inspired to be a better person...
Spotlight – Angel Inspired DeAnna Pursai To Start A College For Special Needs Adults
KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and A2A founder Jeff Bell spotlights DeAnna Pursai, the co-founder of The College of Adaptive Arts. Her younger sister Angel, who has Down Syndrome, helped DeAnna realize that special needs adults could thrive in a creative higher...
Spotlight – Testicular Cancer Survivor Justin Birckbichler Becomes Men’s Health Activist
KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and A2A founder Jeff Bell spotlights Justin Birckbichler, who at 26 battled metastasized testicular cancer. A2A Spotlight · Testicular Cancer Survivor Justin Birckbichler Becomes Men’s Health Activist Now in remission, Justin...
Spotlight – 13-Year-Old Ella Casano Makes IV Infusions A Little Easier For Young Patients
KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and A2A founder Jeff Bell spotlights Ella Casano who has received regular IV infusions since she was 7, when she was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP). A2A Spotlight · 13-Year-Old Ella Casano Makes IV Infusions A...
Spotlight – Former Child Actress Mara Wilson Talks About Living With OCD
KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and A2A founder Jeff Bell spotlights Mara Wilson, who was diagnosed with OCD when she was 12 years old. Mara shares her story to help fight the stigma of mental illness and make a difference in the lives of others living with OCD....
Spotlight – Former Bullying Victim Develops A Nonpunitive Approach To End Harassment
KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and A2A founder Jeff Bell spotlights Nicholas Carlisle, the founder of the nonprofit No Bully. The No Bully program, which is in over 250 schools, teaches students to be more compassionate and kind. A2A Spotlight · Former Bullying Victim...
Spotlight – Asha Brown Helps Other Diabetics Struggling With An Eating Disorder
KCBS Radio afternoon anchor and A2A founder Jeff Bell spotlights Asha Brown, a type 1 diabetic who at 14 began manipulating her insulin intake as a way to control her weight. After successfully being treated for her diabulimia she founded We Are Diabetes, a nonprofit...
A2A Spotlight Features
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