Three inspiring stories from three inspiring people in your community
Our differences make us interesting. Our diversity makes us unique. We are all different and wonderful, and we all have something unique and special to offer our communities.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. While it can affect development, learning and communication, the experience is different for every individual.
Misconceptions can dominate the discourse around Down syndrome, but what often gets overlooked is the person behind the condition.
People with Down syndrome have their own personalities, talents, interests, and ambitions. They love, build relationships, work, learn, and contribute to the world around them.
Despite misconceptions, no two people with Down syndrome are alike. Down syndrome is only one characteristic of who they are.
Meet three Windsor-Essex residents who live with Down syndrome, and discover the people behind the diagnosis.
Jazzy, 25
Jazzy Ankamah is a busy woman who enjoys her work, dancing, family and friends, as well as professional wrestling.
A big WWE fan and admirer of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, she is also a supporter of local Maple Leaf Wrestling shows. She takes hip-hop dance classes, enjoys movies and television on her iPad, and works at Zuleeats with her siblings.
“I work hard,” states Jazzy. That is the one thing that she would like everyone to know about her.
Her mother, Zule, says Jazzy’s personality is one of the things that makes her so special. “Jazzy is saucy,” reports Zule. “She is very selfless. You cannot have a bad day with Jasmine around, period.”
Jazzy is deeply connected to her family and has a remarkable ability to remember people’s names and faces – an asset at work.
Zule is in awe of Jazzy’s sense of empathy. “If I’m here and I’m sitting here quiet, she’s hugging me, she’s going, ‘Are you okay? Do you need this?’” says Zule. “She’s just very, very caring.”
Jazzy has earned numerous awards through dance and school. In high school, she was honoured with the Lucien “Kit” Lacasse Memorial Award, for positive attitude, scholastic prowess, and community commitment, as well as recognition on the honour roll at F.J. Brennan Catholic High School.
She has also become an advocate for people with Down syndrome and inclusion. Jazzy and her family participated in a documentary called Unified Voices about their experiences, in participation with the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.
“Your child could be whoever they want to be,” reflects Zule. “So long as you are willing to put in the work to support them, they could reach their highest potential.”
For Jazzy, the message is even simpler. “Be proud of yourself,” she states.
Stefan, 24
Stefan Fancic of Lakeshore, in his own words, is “very social.” He enjoys company, getting outdoors, and staying active. Baseball and golf are two of his favourite things to do, as well as boating and Sea-dooing.
“I love going on vacations,” he says. Playa del Carmen and Turks and Caicos are among his favourite destinations.
Stefan graduated from St. Clair College and works at local pharmacies in their bookkeeping departments.
“He is very friendly, genuine, compassionate, and smart,” reports his father, Stan.
Stefan is a bit of a gym buff too. He sticks to a 7:30 a.m. routine at F45 Fitness in Tecumseh, weightlifting and circuit-training. “It keeps me motivated,” explains Stefan.
His father, Stan, describes his son as friendly, genuine, and compassionate, and is very proud of his intelligence. “He’s very smart,” says Stan. “He has a good understanding and a really good attitude.”
His mother, Carolyn, explains that misconceptions about people with Down syndrome prevent others from seeing what they are capable of. “Down syndrome is not a disease,” she states. “It’s just a characteristic.” She adds that people with Down syndrome learn, work, and contribute to society when they are given opportunities and the right support.
Stan sees that in his son’s everyday life. “Everybody he meets, anywhere he goes, everybody treats him with a lot of respect and just as one of the regular guys,” he says.
Stefan enjoys the zest of life and continues to bring joy and happiness to everyone he meets.
Kelsey, 39
Kelsey Noel’s life is full of family, dancing, singing, and creativity.
“She’s extremely compassionate,” describes her mother, Denise. “She cares about other people’s feelings.”
Denise says that, for Kelsey, her friendships are among the things she values the most in life. Two of Kelsey’s closest friends are Tiffany Todd and Emily Rogers. Her longtime boyfriend, Shawn Rivait, has been by her side for 13 years, and the two consider themselves engaged after Shawn proposed with an adorable $12 ring, something that brings a lot of joy to Denise.
Kelsey also works at her mother’s business, On The Go Wigs in Lakeshore, where she helps fold towels, sweep floors, organize wigs and greet customers.
Kelsey has always been a very active person. She is passionate about dancing and singing, enjoys baseball and swimming, and writes letters and stories.
She also enjoys performing. In competition, as a member of North Star Cheer, Kelsey was able to show off her creativity to large crowds. “She was on a cheer squad, and she competed in Canada and United States in front of hundreds of people,” recalls Denise. “She absolutely loved that.”
Denise and her husband, Jerome, consider Kelsey’s independence to be one of her greatest accomplishments. That independence is rooted in the way Kelsey was raised—with responsibilities and expectations like anyone else in the family.
“She has to make her bed, she has to clean, you know, she has to do everything everybody in the family ever had to do,” Denise said. “And I never treated her any different.”
A community built on inclusion
Jazzy, Stefan and Kelsey have different personalities, interests, and accomplishments. They are unique. There is no single way to describe a person with Down syndrome.
The Windsor-Essex Down Syndrome Association, also known as Up About Down, was founded in 1990 by local parents who wanted to support one another. Today, this local volunteer-run organization provides social connections, education, resource sharing, advocacy, and opportunities for inclusion.
These opportunities matter. The people of this community, like Jazzy, Stefan, and Kelsey, are not defined by a condition. They are defined by the people they love, the work they do, and the friendships they build along the way.
For more information about the Windsor-Essex Down Syndrome Association (Up About Down), visit upaboutdown.org.
