RISE eMagazine

NOV. 11, 2017

"There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more."

Robert M. Hensel

RISE is an electronic magazine that was created to specifically highlight the Rise Awards. This edition, highlighting THE 2016 RISE AWARDS is the 3rd and final edition.

RISE stands for Rising in Spite of Expectations. The RISE Awards was created to enlighten and inspire the audience of the achievements of individuals with Down syndrome that’s making a difference by highlighting and celebrating their stories.

Less than 40 years ago, it was a common practice to institutionalize individuals with Down syndrome and various disabilities restricting their human rights to an education, resources, and therapies needed.

Today, over 90% of abortions are due to the detection of Down syndrome. Over 50% of children put into the adoption system are children with disabilities.

Too often we hear about limitations and things that persons with Ds are incapable of, but some are musicians, actors, painters, dancers, advocates, teacher assistants, college students, entrepreneurs, and graduates. But these are the stories that are not often seen or heard.

RISE is a platform utilized to tell these stories and further spread positive awareness.

Please take a moment to read the stories of the honorees, award recipients, and nominees of this and previous editions.

1st Rise Awards (previously HYH Rise Awards Online) 2011 – HIGHLIGHTS (EMAG) 2nd Rise Awards 2014 – HIGHLIGHTS (EMAG) & HIGHLIGHTS (RED CARPET) 3rd Rise Awards (this edition) 2016 - VIRTUAL AWARDS (VIDEO) Thank you for your continued support!

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"I want people to see that I am no different than them. I want them to see that I have features of Down syndrome, but that doesn't mean I can't do everything they can. I want others with Down syndrome to look at me and take pride in the fact that I and they have Down syndrome. I want everyone to look at me and know that I can ANYTHING I want to do - I just have to try."

Honoree Carli Maucher

BLAKE PYRON

8

HONOREES

CARLI MAUCHER 10 CONNOR LONG 14 HOLLY WROBBEL

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JENNIFER KATZ 22 MARCUS SIKORA 26 OLIVIA R. BROSSEAU 28

HOSTED BY ACTRESS BAILEY TIPPEN (Click on the picture to link to Bailey’s FB page.)

AWARD RECIPIENT & NOMINEES OF

TIANNA R. HABERSHAM 32

IMPECCABLE ADVOCACY 36 OUTSTANDING PARENT 40 EXCEPTIONAL TEACHER 48 BEST MEDIA OUTLET 52

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE 2016 RISE AWARDS NOW ON YOUTUBE

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“You can go beyond expectations and live a wonderful life just be being the best possible you!�

Honoree Connor Long

THE 2016 RISE AWARDS SPONSORED by Check out our sponsors, click on their logos below.

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HONOREE BLAKE PYRON We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you.

2016 RISE AWARDS HONOREE BLAKE PYRON is breaking down barriers by being the first young man with Down syndrome (Ds) to own and operate a food truck. He is the proud owner of Blake’s Snow Shack!

CONNECT WITH BLAKE AT: www.facebook.com/blakessnowshack

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HONOREE CARLI MAUCHER We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you.

2016 RISE AWARDS HONOREE CARLI MAUCHER is 11 years old and the 2015 Missouri Pre-Teen Butterfly Dreams Queen. She represented her age division all year for this organization that provides events and pageants for individuals who are differently-abled.

Her reign has afforded her many spectacular opportunities this year. It has also solidified that she does belong in a world with her peers and that the only limits she has are those she places on herself. Down syndrome is not a challenge for Carli – Carli is Down syndrome’s challenge!

Carli has something that the rest of this world needs: pure, honest love, innocence and a giving, full heart. She continues to soar to new heights and thinks about helping others before taking anything for herself. In her own beautiful words: “Mommy, I LOVE having Down syndrome and I am happy”.

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Carli decided to raise awareness of Down syndrome and to help others by starting her own small business. She began handcrafting butterfly rings out of pipe cleaners in a multitude of colors. She sells these rings for $3 at her school and to family, friends and even complete strangers.

We have shipped rings to New York and California and everywhere in between. She even gave her favorite summer camp counselors a couple; her butterflies fly as far as Australia, Holland, and Scotland.

Carli has used her year as Queen to create an amazing platform that has reached groups and individuals both near and far. In her 9 years of life, there have been too many individuals who have created opportunities and helped her to count. Now it was HER time to give back.

The following is Carli’s personal mission statement that she wrote: “I will define who I am by my actions and words. I am differently-abled and will respect my friends and my crown the best I can. I will make good choices and learn from my bad choices. I will not limit myself and will not allow others to limit me.”

INTERVIEW YVONNE PIERRE: If you could change something about the world for those with Down syndrome what would it be?

CARLI MAUCHER: I would change acceptance. The world is a lot more accepting than it used to be, but we are still seen as different. I want the world to not give me opportunities because they feel sorry for me, but because deserve them. I also want the world to start referring to ME before the words Down syndrome.

Everything I do and accomplish is because I did it, not because I have Down syndrome.

Down syndrome should not define us, we are the only ones ability to do that.

YVONNE: Who inspires you and why?

CARLI: My teacher from Kindergarten, Mrs. Wigge inspires me. I was with her for two years. She spent a lot of time learning about how to educate me and fought for me to always be with my classmates. She taught me to never give up, to include myself in everything and to not make excuses for not being able to do something.

When I said, "I can't", she said, "you CAN and we will keep practicing until you DO". I am in 3rd grade now but she still comes to see me and talks to my Mom a lot.

YVONNE: What do you want people to learn from you, in order words, how do you want your life to make a difference?

CARLI: I want people to see that I am no different than them. I want them to see

that I have features of Down syndrome, but that doesn't mean I can't do everything they can. I want others with Down syndrome to look at me and take pride in

the fact that I and they have Down syndrome. I want everyone to look at me and know that I can ANYTHING I want to do - I just have to try.

Carli is too young to have her own FB page, but you can see her Queen’s page on the Butterfly Dreams www.butterflydreams.org/our-team/carli-maucher-2015

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HONOREE CONNOR LONG We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you.

2016 RISE AWARDS HONOREE CONNOR LONG is a Coloradoan active in advocacy, acting, and athletics. His advocacy keeps him busy on important state, federal legislation for people with differing abilities. He believes in “advocacy by example,” which means sharing his challenges, opportunities, and successes with others to help them envision and pursue full lives for themselves and loved ones. His work as an actor, advocate, and athlete has led to recognition through local, state, national and international awards. He is a high school diploma graduate, has studied Shakespeare, works in film and television as a ground-breaking contributing reporter for Denver7 News (ABC-affiliate KMGH), and is a founding player in a regional all-inclusive theatre troupe, Tapestry Theatre Company. In addition to competitive swimming, Connor is an active cyclist, a student of taekwondo (red belt) and rock climbing. He speaks at and hosts events for chapters of “The Arc” across the state and country.

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INTERVIEW YVONNE PIERRE: If you could change something about the world for those with Down syndrome what would it be?

courage to try new or difficult things, work hard, and who have fun while doing their best.

CONNOR LONG: I want people to see me for my abilities and potential.

YVONNE: What do you want people to learn from you, in order words, how do you want your life to make a difference?

YVONNE: Who inspires you and why?

CONNOR: I am inspired by people who are kind and helpful to others, who show

CONNOR: You can go beyond expectations and live a wonderful life just be being the best possible you!

CONNECT WITH CONNOR: www.facebook.com/connor.long.315 www.twitter.com/3twentyonego www.instagram.com/three21go

“I can do a lot of things. I have feelings.”

Honoree Holly Wrobbel

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HONOREE HOLLY WROBBEL We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you.

2016 RISE AWARDS HONOREE HOLLY WROBBEL is a junior at Highland High School, IL and is really active in school and her community.

Holly was crowned 2016 IL Teen Butterfly Dreams Queen in June. In just a few short months of her reign, Holly has accomplished so much and in doing so, promotes advocacy and acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome.

The following are a few of these recent accomplishments:  

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Met Joseph R. Michaelis, Mayor of her hometown Highland, IL Made appearances in two parades: one in a horse and carriage for the televised St. Louis Veiled Prophet, and one in a convertible for her town of Highland’s Homecoming Threw out first pitch at the Gateway Grizzlies game in front of about 400 people Met 2015 Miss America, Betty Cantrell

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Helped open the ceremonies for the Balloons Over Marine, IL event where she handed out prizes and posed for pictures of the winners Carried the torch for the Summer Special Olympics through part of Highland, IL Flew a 1972 Grumman AA-5 plane

Holly is very involved in Special Olympics and has placed at State and Regional Competitions, receiving a total of 9 gold medals and 1 silver for the Special Olympics Rhythmic Gymnastics Competitions. She also placed gold for Regional Bocce and silver for Regional Bowling. She is also active in her schools Chorus program and the Special Education Programs at Highland High School. This young butterfly is just starting to spread her wings, but as she will become even more involved in her community.

INTERVIEW YVONNE PIERRE: If you could change something about the world for those with Down syndrome what would it be?

HOLLY: Ms. Burwell, my teacher, inspires me. She is very nice and helps me do my best.

HOLLY WROBBEL: I would help everyone with Down syndrome be happy.

YVONNE: What do you want people to learn from you, in order words, how do you want your life to make a difference?

YVONNE: Who inspires you and why?

HOLLY: I can do a lot of things. I have feelings.

Holly does not have a Facebook page, but both of her parents do and they post about her. www.facebook.com/e.duff.wrobbel www.facebook.com/tammy.wrobbel

I want to show the world that people with Down syndrome are more like them then different! We have our hopes are fears, our dreams, and nightmares, everything that we want for a bright future, anybody else in the world wants. With equality, liberty, and justice for all!

Honoree Jennifer Katz

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HONOREE JENNIFER KATZ We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you.

2016 RISE AWARDS HONOREE JENNIFER KATZ is a woman with translocation mosaic Down Syndrome (MDs). She is happily married to her best friend, Edward (Ted). They have two daughters and a doggie. They recently moved from Virginia to New York City, where Jennifer is still actively meeting families with children who have Ds/MDs, with an eye to becoming a Parent Mentor/IEP guide.

Until that gets going, she will be going often to where the Today Show is recorded to hold up a Down syndrome Awareness poster!

Jennifer is an outspoken, mature, and above all, passionate voice for awareness of Down and mosaic Down syndrome.

She has been active in Ds organizations since 2002 when she discovered the IMDSA in an online Yahoo group and has spoken at conferences on various topics. Her first was for the NDSC in Orlando. Though she has an annual speaking engagement for the IMDSA, she is eager to participate in more NDSC events as well.

She has also compiled a book of interviews of parents of children with MDs/Ds and self-advocates as well, filling a glaring niche in the material available for parents with a child diagnosed with Ds/MDs. Highlights of THE 2016 RISE AWARDS – Rising in Spite of Expectations

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Jennifer is a powerful, positive, sensible voice for the rights we the special needs community deserves!

INTERVIEW YVONNE PIERRE: If you could change something about the world for those with Down syndrome what would it be?

JENNIFER: I would change the abortion rates and the viewpoint of professionals that Down syndrome is something that is incompatible with life.

YVONNE: Who (or what) inspires you and why?

JENNIFER: Oh, several people and things inspire me. My mom and dad inspire me because they never back down from a fight/opportunity to move ahead, grow, and learn.

My oldest sister was born deaf and even though she has that disability she didn’t let that stop her from achieving; from graduating high school and college and

medical school and now she’s a doctor and a wife and mother of three amazing kids.

All the babies toddlers kiddos teenagers young adults and Full adults who have Down syndrome and Mosaic Down syndrome who light up the world with their skills and inspire the world with their energy and their desire to do everything they can do.

YVONNE: What do you want people to learn from you, in order words, how do you want your life to make a difference?

JENNIFER: I want to show the world that people with Down syndrome are more like them then different! We have our hopes are fears, our dreams, and nightmares, everything that we want for a bright future, anybody else in the world wants. With equality, liberty, and justice for all!

CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: www.facebook.com/jennifer.katz.750

“I want my life to make a difference, by having people accept people with Down syndrome, to have their minds to be more open, to have respect for people with Down syndrome. I want a lot of things for people to learn from me, I want them to learn that it’s never okay to say the R-word, because its derogatory, hurtful, and cruel, do you want other people telling you that your kid(s) are retarded, I don’t think so. We are human, we bleed, we think, we cry, just like yours do, we just are shaped differently and love differently.”

Honoree Olivia R. Brosseau

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HONOREE MARCUS SIKORA We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you.

2016 RISE AWARDS HONOREE MARCUS SIKORA is a creative soul who has Down syndrome and lives in Omaha, Nebraska. He has acted on stage with local and national companies, as well as written a short one-act play. Black Day: The Monster Rock Band is his first storybook for children. When he’s not watching theater, singing, or working out, he’s contemplating the sequel, whose title has yet to be determined.

CONNECT WITH MARCUS: www.facebook.com/grownupsanddowns www.amazon.com/black-day-monster-rockband/dp/1634134419

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HONOREE OLIVIA R. BROSSEAU We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you.

2016 RISE AWARDS HONOREE OLIVIA RACHELLE BROSSEAU is 22 years old and going to college at CCV and getting her degree in human services. She has also written a book called Dear Future parents from the kids perspective.

Olivia is, in a word, fantastic! She is such an empowering, inspiring young lady and a great role model for others with Down syndrome. By promoting and sharing her talents and abilities with others, she lets them know how able they are and that you can do whatever you want if they work for it and practice.

She’s making a difference by bringing awareness about people with Down syndrome and has a Facebook page about her awareness efforts!

INTERVIEW YVONNE PIERRE: If you could change something about the world for those with Down syndrome what would it be?

OLIVIA: If I could change something for people with Down syndrome it will be having acceptance, everyone wants to be loved , everyone wants to receive love ,

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everyone wants to be treated like everybody else, especially for people with Down syndrome , we have feelings , we have aspirations , we have dreams, treat us like normal human beings, and not something monstrous , incompetent people, we already feel abnormal , don’t treat us like that.

YVONNE: Who (or what) inspires you and why?

OLIVIA: The one person that inspires me would be Megan Bomgaars from Born This Way, from A & E because she’s a positive, bubbly, and outgoing girl, who dreams big, just like me. I dream to marry my boyfriend, just like her, to have kids just like her, to have a successful business, just like her.

She’s an awesome role model for girls all

over the world, she’s my idol, and would love to meet her.

YVONNE: What do you want people to learn from you, in order words, how do you want your life to make a difference?

OLIVIA: I want my life to make a difference, by having people accept people with Down syndrome, to have their minds to be more open, to have respect for people with Down syndrome. I want a lot of things for people to learn from me, I want them to learn that it’s never okay to say the R-word, because its derogatory, hurtful, and cruel, do you want other people telling you that your kid(s) are retarded, I don’t think so. We are human, we bleed, we think, we cry, just like yours do, we just are shaped differently and love differently.

CONNECT WITH OLIVIA: https://facebook.com/Olivias-journey-623815234372409

“I want people to know that I have things I want to do when I get older, like go to college, live by myself or with my sister, and get married.”

Honoree Tianna Rose Habersham

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HONOREE TIANNA R. HABERSHAM We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you.

2016 RISE AWARDS HONOREE TIANNA ROSE HABERSHAM is a senior in high school, where she is captain of her varsity dance team. She has been on the team for 4 years.

Tianna is also the Buddy Director in her school’s chapter of Best Buddies.

She is a gold medalist in Special Olympics, as well as a Special Athlete award winner in several dance competitions. She decided to run for homecoming queen and continues to break barriers by making the 2016 Homecoming Court. She has decided she wants to attend college and become a chef. She has spoken in front of the school board and on various news outlets.

She acts as a role model while breaking down barriers and stereotypes people have of individuals with Down syndrome. She continues to do and try any and everything her typically developing peers do!

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INTERVIEW YVONNE PIERRE: If you could change something about the world for those with Down syndrome what would it be?

YVONNE: What do you want people to learn from you, in order words, how do you want your life to make a difference?

TIANNA ROSE HABERSHAM: That people wouldn't think we can't do something before the even let us try.

TIANNA: I want people to know that I have things I want to do when I get older, like go to college, live by myself or with my sister, and get married.

YVONNE: Who inspires you and why?

TIANNA: My sister Tasha, she always tells me she loves me and that I can do anything.

CONNECT WITH TIANNA: https://www.facebook.com/christine.habersham

“I thank God for my handicaps. For through them, I have found myself, my work and my God.”

Helen Keller

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IMPECCABLE ADVOCACY AWARD RECIPIENT SUSIE TENEYCK

NOMINEE DENON & SEAN MOORE

2016 RISE AWARD RECIPIENT SUSIE TENEYCK is the author of an award-winning children’s book for the inclusion and acceptance of children with Down syndrome and other special needs. Immediately after being published, her book “HERE I AM”, received the Mom’s Choice Award® and has been named among the best in family-friendly media, products, and services, honoring excellence.

Her book illustrates a whimsical blue character covered in hearts, who seeks to share his heart with others. Once others accept “Blue” and his differences, they are forever changed! In addition to being awarded Silver Recipient and Distinguished Honoree of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Awards®, she is a proud member of the Georgia Writer’s Association, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a lifetime member of the Down syndrome Association of Atlanta. Her son, Charlie Hart TenEyck–who has Mosaic Down syndrome–is the inspiration for her award-winning book. She administrates the largest worldwide group for homeschooling children with Down syndrome (Homeschooling and Down Syndrome), as well as several other active groups online, including Mosaic Down Syndrome World, Speech & Language Disorders in Children, Parents Improving Special Needs Services and Education, Autism in the United States, Gluten Free and Casein Free Eating and others. Susie is currently an active participant and special needs consultant volunteer helping to improve the education and the lives of children with disabilities and their families from her home in North Georgia.

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Susie is currently an active participant and special needs consultant volunteer helping to improve the education and the lives of children with disabilities and their families from her home in North Georgia.

INTERVIEW YVONNE PIERRE: Who or what inspired you to become an advocate?

SUSIE TENEYCK: My 14-year-old son, who has Mosaic Down Syndrome, is the inspiration for my award-winning children’s book for acceptance, understanding, and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome. Having advocated for him his entire life, I realized a need to assist other people with special needs - especially Down syndrome - and their families.

Currently, I volunteer as a special needs consultant worldwide from my home in North Georgia and I distribute my books through Special Needs Publications. (www.specialneedspublications.org)

YVONNE: How has the experience of advocacy changed your perspective on life?

SUSIE: By helping other families to get needed services, assisting in the

educational realm, managing multiple special needs online groups for homeschooling, speech & language, worldwide support for Down syndrome and their families, and promoting bullying intervention programs, as well as inclusion, with my award-winning book, I have assisted in protecting the rights of individuals with Down syndrome.

YVONNE: What is one thing you wish people could see about those with Down syndrome?

SUSIE: People with Down syndrome deserve the same opportunities as everyone else. Individuals should never be judged preemptively based on their looks, chromosomes, or unique abilities. Society has recognized persons with Down syndrome making significant contributions to the medical field, being role models, and achieving outstanding accomplishments.

For more information about her and her award-winning book, please visit Goodreads, Shelfari, Amazon, The Mom’s Choice Awards website or any of the links below: www.specialneedspublications.org www.facebook.com/authorsusieteneyck www.facebook.com/specialneedspublications

2016 RISE AWARDS NOMINEES DENON AND SEAN MOORE are the godparents of a 12-year-old with Down syndrome. They have stepped up to the role of godparents in spectacular fashion.

Not only do they advocate directly by participating in all of their godson’s IEP meetings, but they have acted as an extended family. They have provided respite care when it was needed the most and given positive, supportive feedback through struggles with tough choices or difficult family dynamics.

Secondly, Denon and Sean Moore are small business owners and business leaders that are mindful of the community of individuals with developmental delays. Denon and Sean Moore constantly donate to nonprofits that have directly supported their godson. They’ve repeatedly supported their godson’s schools with large donations. Once, they donated the time of their cupcake truck to one of their godson’s school carnivals at a large financial loss to them. Most importantly, though, Denon and Sean Moore go out of their way to hire individuals with disabilities at their places of business and pay them a fair, competitive wage.

CONNECT WITH DENON AND SEAN MOORE AT: www.cake-crumbs.com www.facebook.com/cake-crumbs-bakery-67470544367

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OUTSTANDING PARENT AWARD RECIPIENT STEFANIE MAUCHER

NOMINEE DELNO EBIE SONYA HINES

2016 RISE AWARDS RECIPIENT STEFANIE MAUCHER is married to Roger and has two daughters, Carli and Erika, who both have Down syndrome. She works for Sunny Hill, Inc., which empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their dream.

Stefanie’s youngest daughter, Carli, is the 2015 Missouri Pre Teen Butterfly Dreams Queen. She is always encouraging her daughters to be themselves and prove that they cannot be limited. Stefanie is involved with many programs and organizations that support Down syndrome, including Butterfly Dreams and the Pujols Family Foundation. Stefanie and her husband Roger opened their hearts and homes and adopted Carli from the Pujols foundation when she was just two days old.

Stefanie never tires of advocating for inclusion and acceptance of her two daughters in school and in their community and spends countless hours helping them achieve their hopes and dreams.

On top of doing this for her own two children, she also works for a company that provides care and support for those with special needs.

She lives and breathes this life of helping others without complaint or regret. Thinking only of others and never of herself, she is a pillar of strength and advocacy in the Down syndrome community.

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INTERVIEW YVONNE PIERRE: Who (or what) inspired you to become an advocate?

STEFANIE MAUCHER: My first daughter with Down syndrome, Erika, is who inspired me to be an advocate. It wasn't something that I necessarily woke up and decided to do.

Instead, it was something I felt the NEED to do because of the treatment of Erika in our school district at that time. Once I went to State Certified training, I realized there was so much more I could do to support Erika. I realized that instead of being angry at those IEP meetings, I needed to start educating. I had to start educating the school officials and the teachers. How could they support my daughter when the didn't understand it themselves? I saw Erika's IQ drop 37 points to one-year because she wasn't being serviced properly. My first move was to move back to Missouri into a school district I knew had the ability to service her needs. The next step was to create an advocacy seminar and present it to the District teachers and parents. The Procedural Rights and Safeguards are intimidating to read through, especially as a new parent, but they contain CRITICAL information on our rights as parents. When Carli became a member of our family at 2-days old, I was prepared. I was educated and where I failed Erika because I didn't 'know', I was determined Carli would soar. The most precious piece of advice I can give to parents is; if you feel your IEP meetings or other meetings are becoming too

emotionally charged, step back and get an advocate. Sometimes, advocating for our own children puts us in a position of 'wanting' things instead of getting things they 'need'.

YVONNE: Being a parent of a child with special needs, has the experience of advocacy changed your perspective on life?

STEFANIE: Advocacy has completely changed my perspective on life. Being a person who is very methodical, becoming a mother of two girls with Down syndrome was a challenge. I had to re-learn how to problem solve, I had to finesse my critical thinking skills and I had to learn to be PATIENT. I had to learn to step-up and speak-up. I could no longer make assumptions that Carli and Erika were going to be given what they need to be successful. Once I moved to the right school district, I realized the IEP team was truly a team. No longer were goals written out and we were 'forced' to sign for them.

No longer were my girls talked about without them being present. I had a TRUE team of educators and specialists (including a great Pediatrician) who were making these important decisions WITH me and not FOR me. The skills I learned as an Advocate have even been infused in my line of work - I am educating Executives of organization on the art of making solid goals that can be measured and how those goals should be written to improve success for their employees (just like I do for my

daughters). I use my advocating skills every single moment of every day.

YVONNE: What is one thing you wish people could see about those with Down syndrome?

STEFANIE: Don't look at them and feel sorry for them or for their family. Look at them and smile, go and say hi, engage them. They are NO different than you or I. Yes, it may take them a bit longer to accomplish a task, and yes, they may do it a little differently, but it is the outcome that matters. Down syndrome is nothing to be feared. Down syndrome should be celebrated. Carli and Erika are the two most honest, genuine, caring and beautiful souls I know. They truly are the closest thing to

God on earth. To new parents, I say - don't be afraid for too long - educate yourself, surround yourself those who support you.

Get used to answering the questions and be there to protect your kiddos. Notice I didn't say 'shield'! You will not be there for them all of the time. Your kiddos need to be able to stand up for themselves. It is better to let them fall now when you can be here to pick them up and help them understand.

Finally, remember, we are ALL unique!

Even identical twins have their own personalities. Don't let Down syndrome be a challenge, but instead be Down syndrome's challenge - break through the bias and stigma and DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!

CONNECT WITH STEFANIE AT: www.facebook.com/stefanie.maucher

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2016 RISE AWARDS NOMINEE An amazing husband, DELNO EBIE put his entire acting career on hold to come home to help care for our special needs, premature son. Chase was born at 33 weeks on Father’s day in 2004. He was 2 feet and 15 inches long with Down syndrome (Ds). He was not expected to live, but he had his Daddy’s warrior spirit and now, after multiple surgeries and procedures including OHS, he’s mostly healthy and SO ornery! Delno Ebie is one of a kind-amazingly loyal, genuinely loving and caring, strong yet gentle, devastatingly handsome and truly talented. Chase adores his Daddy.

Delno puts family first, no matter what, also caring for his dying mother during Chase’s first 13 months of life. He was also told that he had a twin brother that supposedly died before birth that was identical in size and weight to our son.

He champions people with Ds as possible role models for his son. He stands up to doctors and others that need “education”. He’s always there for his son and nephew with Ds. As a classically trained actor, he’s played numerous roles from Shakespeare and Moliere to Henrik Ibsen and Arthur Miller, and have appeared in many features and independent films spanning from Disney to National Geographic. Films like “The Haunted Mansion”, “Deadly

Obsession”, and “Ambrose Bierce: Civil War Stories” to television roles in “Situation Critical: Apollo 13”, “ER” and “The District”. In 2006, he helped produce and hosted a documentary of the 35th annual Wichita River Festival that aired on PBS. He’s had the good fortune to train with teachers such as acclaimed actress, writer, and director Joan Darling, theatre legend Mary Jane Teall, and Christina Ferra-Gilmore and Sara Ballantine of The Actors Edge studio in Beverly Hills.

Most recently, he appeared in the feature film “Wichita” releasing in 2015 and completed the short film “Violet” for Native Boy Productions out of Oklahoma City. I also wrote and directed the short films “Family Matters” and “7 Days” that are currently being submitted to festivals.

And I am currently involved with several television and feature film projects that are in development and/or pre-production as an actor, writer, and producer.

Delno’s accomplishments include winning BEST ACTOR for “Violet” at the Gallup Film Festival in New Mexico and being nominated BEST ACTOR for “Violet” at The American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco and The Red Nation Film Festival in Beverly Hills.

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2016 RISE AWARDS NOMINEE SONYA HINES is the head of Kennedy’s Kreations; serving young people with Down syndrome. She has worked diligently to provide enrichment and educational activities. She is a person of high integrity and has displayed her commitment to service by partnering with other non-profit organizations for greater outreach and enhanced activities.

She is using her influence in her community to share information about Down syndrome, as well as to raise funds and provide in-kind services for young people with Down syndrome. Her approach to service encourages other parents to become more involved in this cause.

CONNECT WITH SONYA AT: www.facebook.com/kennedyskreation

"When you focus on someone's disability you'll overlook their abilities, beauty and uniqueness.

Once you learn to accept and love them for who they are, you subconsciously learn to love yourself unconditionally."

Yvonne Pierre

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EXCEPTIONAL TEACHER AWARD RECIPIENT PATRICIA C. WINDERS

NOMINEE TERRY BROWN

2016 RISE AWARDS RECIPIENT PATRICIA C. WINDERS is the Director of Therapies and Senior Physical Therapist at the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down syndrome, the medical care center for the Linda Crnic Institute for Down syndrome.

Patricia joined the Sie Center because it allows her to fulfill her dream of creating a comprehensive program of physical therapy for children with Down syndrome and collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team of clinical care specialists and researchers dedicated to people with the condition.

Since joining the Sie Center in December of 2007, Patricia has seen nearly 1,000 patients and has launched several programs with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation including the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Class with the Colorado Ballet and Global’s Dare to Play Football Camp with Ed McCaffrey. Her position at the Sie Center has allowed her to mentor other physical therapists, participate in important gross motor skills research, and update the definitive book that she researched and wrote – Gross Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals.

Over the last three decades, Patricia has captured important gross motor information for children with Down syndrome that informs the best practices outlined in her book. From crawling to walking, to Highlights of THE 2016 RISE AWARDS – Rising in Spite of Expectations

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participating fully in exercise and sports, Patricia has helped thousands of individuals with Down syndrome reach their gross motor skills potential.

Patricia has provided much-needed training to professionals and parents across the US (including Puerto Rico), and overseas including Mexico and Saudi Arabia. She has lectured and provided workshops throughout the United States and is a “regular” at the National Down Syndrome Congress’ annual convention.

Prior to joining the Sie Center, Patricia was a senior physical therapist at the Down Syndrome Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University. During her 20-year tenure there, Patricia worked with both children and adults with Down syndrome.

Patricia serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the National Down Syndrome Congress, on the Clinical Advisory Board of the National Down Syndrome Society, and is a member of the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group. She is the recipient of the NDSC Meritorious Service Award and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation Award of Excellence in Therapeutic Care.

Patricia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida in 1975. She lives in Colorado with her husband Jim, and daughter Elizabeth.

2016 RISE AWARDS NOMINEE TERRY BROWN, affectionately known as “Mrs. Brown” by her many learners, has a passion and a gift for teaching individuals with Down syndrome. She began her career of teaching children with special needs within the public school system before she began teaching from her home. She has developed a successful and innovative program, “So Happy to Learn” that teaches reading, writing, and math to children and adults with Down syndrome. Terry Brown was named Down Syndrome Association of Orange County’s 2001 Educator of the Year. In 2004, Mrs. Brown developed and taught a yearlong pilot program for DSAOC designed to help parents teach their children to read. She has presented “So Happy to Learn” at workshops and conferences for parents and educators.

CONNECT WITH TERRY AT: www.sohappytolearn.com www.facebook.com/so-happy-to-learn-132690756788580 www.facebook.com/groups/180489018787646

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BEST MEDIA OUTLET AWARD RECIPIENT KMGH

NOMINEE FRAN FARRER LEROY MOORE

2016 RISE AWARDS RECIPIENT KMGH is the broadcast station affiliate for ABC, aka The Denver Channel.

In December 2015, KMGH launched a project to have contributing reporters cover Special Olympics events, athletes, coaches, staff, and sponsors. Since then, the project has expanded to cover a wider spectrum of issues, events, programs, and advocates for people with differing abilities.

In late 2015, Denver7News began a program which features the reporting of two “contributing reporters” who both happen to have Down syndrome and be Special Olympians.

FOR MORE INFO: www.thedenverchannel.com www.thedenverchannel.com/about/news-team www.youtube.com/playlist?list=plxfj6ba2ghu3fnx4m19ham8vp o_bkcs5

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2016 RISE AWARDS NOMINEE FRAN FARRER owns a newspaper, The County News, based in Statesville, NC. Fran consistently publishes articles about Down syndrome (Ds) events and news that many other media outlets tend to ignore.

The County News, an African American owned paper, publishes information about Down syndrome and has published articles about John from the award-winning reality series about specially-abled individuals, Born This Way and the disparity in longevity for minorities with Ds, just to name a few.

2016 RISE AWARDS NOMINEE LEROY F. MOORE JR. is a Black writer, poet, hip-hop\music lover, community activist and feminist with a physical disability. He has been sharing his perspective on identity, race, and disability for the last thirteen years or so. His work began in London, England where he discovered a Black Disabled Movement. This helped to lead to the creation of his lecture series; ‘On the Outskirts: Race & Disability.

Leroy is a consultant on “Race & Disability”, producer and columnist of “Illin-N-Chillin” at Poor Magazine (www.poormagzine.org) and cofounder and community relations director of Sins Invalid (www.sininvalid.org). He is also the creator of Krip-Hop Nation (Hip-Hop artists with disabilities and other disabled musicians) and producer of the “Krip-Hop Mixtape Series”. With Binki Wi of Germany and Lady MJ of the UK, Leroy started what is now known as “Mees With Disabilities”, an international movement.

Leroy has co-hosted a radio show on KPOO FM in San Francisco and created the “Krip-Hop Radio Show” (www.alltalk.net). He has studied, worked and lectured in the fields of race and disability concerning blues, hip-hop, and social justice issues in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and South Africa. Leroy currently lectures for Speak Out, a national speaker’s bureau and working on a Krip-Hop book.

CONNECT WITH LEROY AT: https://www.facebook.com/leroyfmoorejr https://www.facebook.com/kriphopworldwide/?fref=ts Highlights of THE 2016 RISE AWARDS – Rising in Spite of Expectations

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2016 RISE AWARDS COMMITTEE (Click on pictures to visit their website or social media pages)

YVONNE N. PIERRE Writer, Producer, and Founder of The Rise Awards

KINAYA TATUM Actress, Model, and Producer for Better than Great (B.t.G) Entertainment Inc

KAYE JERNIGAN TYE BARNETT

Writer and Educator

Parent, Advocate, Wedding/Event Planner, and Notary Public

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"Let's stop "tolerating" or "accepting" difference, as if we're so much better for not being different in the first place.

Instead, let's celebrate difference, because in this world it takes a lot of guts to be different."

Kate Bornstein

CHECK OUT THE RISE AWARDS AND PREVIOUS EMAG EDITIONS:

1st Rise Awards (previously HYH Rise Awards Online) 2011 HIGHLIGHTS (EMAG)

2nd Rise Awards 2014 HIGHLIGHTS (EMAG) HIGHLIGHTS (RED CARPET)

3rd Rise Awards (this edition) 2016 VIRTUAL AWARDS (VIDEO)

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