Oscar's Inspire Possibilities - Biggest News Since Iowa Caucuses

History was made this week at the Oscars.

You might be thinking about Parasite becoming the first foreign film to win the academy award for best picture.   But there was something that for many of us in the world was much more powerful.

For the first time ever, a person with Down syndrome presented an award at the Oscars last night.  It was a young man named Zack Gottsagen who made history earlier in the year by becoming the first actor with Down syndrome to be a leading actor in a major motion picture – The Peanut Butter Falcon.  You may not have seen The Peanut Butter Falcon, but you should!    It’s a beautiful movie about friendship, redemption, believing in something bigger than yourself, and so much more!   In real life imitating art, Shia LaBeouf has shared that this friendship with Zack has changed his life for the better.  It’s so much more than the Oscars or the major motion picture, though.

For my daughter with Down syndrome, and for every person with Down syndrome, it means more because it is another barrier that has been broken!   For a long time, our society hid our individuals with Down syndrome and unique abilities.    As recently as the 70’s or early 80’s, parents were told that there had to be institutionalized or attend special schools.  Parents were told that their children with Down syndrome would never learn to read and write, they would never work, they would never fall in love and get married.    THERE WERE NO POSSIBILITIES.

One of my favorite scriptures is  Jeremiah 29:11 “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”  Zack Gottsagen helps Raquel have hope and a future - a future she can see.  Or Madeline Stewart, the first model with Down syndrome to walk in New York Fashion week.  Or John Cronin, the CEO of John’s Crazy Socks, a business with millions of dollars of sales.  Or the Emmy Award winning cast of Born This Way: Sean McElwee, Rachel Osterback, John Tucker, Elena Ashmore, Steven Clark, and Megan Bomgaars.  They are creating a snowball effect.  It’s a powerful message to the world that is still giving me that sad look when I tell them I have a daughter with Down syndrome. They are changing the world, inspiring others, and making a difference!

People often say that they are inspired by Raquel (and sometimes by me as I support her).  I tell them that we are standing on the shoulders of giants.  The giants that came before us make Raquel’s accomplishments possible.  Giants like Zach Gottsagen and his family that dreamed dreams that I didn’t even know were possible for someone with Down syndrome.  Until I watched the Academy Awards this week.