Meet Will: 2017 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day Hero

At 21 weeks pregnant, Lynne was in for her routine ultrasound when experts noticed her son’s pinky was small. After having a follow-up test, it was determined that her baby, Will, would be born with a form of Down syndrome referred to at Trisomy 21.

“The first 24 hours were rough,” said Lynne. Afterwards, while speaking to a genetic counselor, she decided to “get it together” and began educating herself.

Now 3 years old, Will attends a typical school full-time, enjoys music, Elmo and pizza.

“He’s a typical toddler” she said when asked what it is like being a parent of a child with Down syndrome. “He’s running around everywhere, getting into everything that toddlers get into.”

Like all parents, Lynne’s goals for Will are for him to feel loved and respected and to grow up to be anything he wants to be. Will’s love for the little things and his knack for experiencing every moment like it’s the first time he’s seeing the world brings joy to everyone around him.

A social butterfly, Will is one of the most popular kids on his block, and it shows as he loves interacting with people. However, sometimes that can surprise others who may not know him.  In response to that, Lynne asks people to educate themselves about Down syndrome.

“Choose to be kind, there’s no reason not to.”

Join us in welcoming Will to Washington, D.C.!