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It's widely recognized that people with Down Syndrome often face societal rejection. Even in the wealthiest and most developed countries, prejudice persists, and it shows no sign of fading anytime soon. However, where prejudice exists, so too do those who challenge it. Here are 10 inspiring individuals who have shattered barriers and paved the way for people with Down Syndrome across the globe.
10. Ángela Bachiller—Politician
Ángela Bachiller launched her political career in 2011, joining the City Hall of Valladolid, Spain. As a member of the People’s Party, Bachiller worked for over two years as an administrative assistant before running for office in 2011. Though she didn’t secure a seat in that election, finishing 18th out of 17 available spots, she was appointed to office two years later after a corruption scandal caused Jesús García Galván to resign.
While some might downplay Bachiller’s achievement by highlighting her failure to win the election outright, it’s important to consider that she may have had a better chance if people with Down Syndrome were permitted to vote in Spain. Although there’s no explicit ban, Spanish courts often declare individuals with Down Syndrome as ‘incapacitated’, stripping them of their right to vote to protect them from fraud. Given this challenge, Bachiller’s ability to secure a position, even when she couldn’t vote for herself, is even more remarkable.
9. Collette Divitto—Entrepreneur
While there are no specific laws that outright prevent people with Down Syndrome from fully participating in society, they often face significant challenges in doing so. Collette Divitto learned just how real this struggle can be when, despite completing a three-year cooking program at Clemson University in just two years, she faced repeated rejection after every job interview.
Determined to succeed in the workforce, Collette took her most popular recipe, “The Amazing Cookie,” and launched Collettey’s Cookies. She started by partnering with a single grocery store, but over time, she expanded her customer base through media appearances on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, GMA, BBC, and more. This increased visibility eventually led to a collaboration with Lays Potato Chips. Today, Collette employs 13 people and aspires to use her success to help combat unemployment and poverty among people with disabilities.
8. Jamie Brewer—Actor
Undoubtedly one of the most recognizable names on this list, Jamie Brewer is an actress known for her notable and recurring roles in the American Horror Story series. With over a decade of experience in theater, Brewer gained international fame when she debuted on TV as Adelaide “Addy” Langdon in the pilot episode of the hit horror series. Since then, she has remained a regular presence on the show.
In an interview shortly after season one premiered, Brewer shared, “The most challenging aspect of portraying Adelaide is figuring out how to play someone who isn’t always accepted by her mother or society. It’s a completely new experience for me.”
Since her time on the show, Brewer has appeared in numerous TV series and films. She is now set to portray Princess Aurora, also known as Sleeping Beauty, in a film series that reimagines classic fairytales, giving more active roles to the female characters.
7. Marte Wexelsen Goksøyr—Playwright
Born in 1982 in Norway, Marte Wexelsen Goksøyr is not only a disability advocate and public speaker but also a well-respected writer—especially known for her work as a playwright. Her most notable work is a reimagined version of Cinderella, based on her own experiences, which was performed at one of Oslo’s most renowned theaters and featured live music from the popular 2000s band Hellogoodbye.
Goksøyr’s remarkable contributions earned her the distinction of being the first woman to receive The Bjørnson Prize from the Norwegian Academy of Literature and Freedom of Expression. Additionally, her adaptation of Cinderella served as the foundation for a scientific study investigating how attitudes toward disabled actors differ between adults and children.
6. Judith Scott—Sculptor
Judith Scott (1943-2005) had the kind of childhood that seems fitting for someone who would go on to become a globally celebrated artist. Her parents chose to ignore her condition, which was further complicated by the fact that she was also deaf, a fact that remained unnoticed by those around her. When she was seven, Judith’s twin sister Joyce woke up to find Judith had been taken to a care home, where her undiagnosed deafness caused her to be excluded from any kind of educational programs.
For years, Joyce was forbidden by their mother from visiting Judith. Instead, Joyce dedicated much of her life to working with children in need, until, after a 35-year struggle, she became Judith’s guardian and moved her to another institution. Despite the numerous creative activities offered, Judith showed little interest until one day a guest teacher arrived to teach a class in fiber art.
Judith immediately embraced the art form, using various objects wrapped in threads and yarn. It was clear that her work was about more than just visual appeal, with the director of the institution noting that Judith was “learning to speak.” Much of her art reflected the isolation and loneliness she experienced as a child, with the theme of twins recurring throughout her work.
After a decade of creating, Judith had her first exhibition, which, along with a book about her work, garnered widespread attention and praise from the international art world. She soon became the subject of four documentaries in three languages and now has permanent exhibitions in 12 museums across six countries.
5. Madeline Stuart—Supermodel
Madeline Stuart, born in 1996 in Australia, is a professional supermodel who entered the fashion world after attending a Brisbane fashion show in 2014. Inspired, she decided to pursue modeling and began training. The next year, her mother launched an online campaign that quickly gained momentum, resulting in Stuart signing two contracts in just one week.
Stuart’s career rapidly soared as she achieved remarkable milestones, including walking the catwalk at prestigious events such as New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, and many other global fashion shows. She has been featured in both Vogue and Forbes and has completed the Special Olympics triathlon three times.
4. Pablo Pineda—DipT BA
Pablo Pineda is a well-known actor and educator, celebrated for being the first European with Down Syndrome to earn a university degree. He completed both a Diploma in Teaching and a BA in Educational Psychology. In 2009, he received the Silver Shell Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival for his role in the film Yo Tambien, a story about a university graduate with Down Syndrome. Despite its name, the Silver Shell is actually the top acting award at the festival, which is one of only 14 category A film festivals worldwide. Upon returning to his hometown of Malaga, Pineda was honored with the Shield of the City by the local Mayor.
Although he continues to act, Pineda is focused on building a career in education. He is currently working on developing an international strategy aimed at increasing job opportunities for people with disabilities. Pineda is also a frequent guest speaker at universities worldwide, has authored several books, and his TedTalk is available online for viewing.
3. Isabella Springmuhl Tejada—Designer
Isabella Springmuhl Tejada grew up following in the footsteps of her grandmother, a designer herself. As a child, Isabella designed clothes for her dolls, but her playful hobby eventually evolved into serious work when she enrolled in a fashion course. There, she began creating clothes inspired by Guatemalan culture and developed designs specifically catered to people with Down Syndrome.
Springmuhl’s first major showcase took place in 2015, where she sold her entire collection. The success of this event attracted international attention, leading to a second exhibition in Panama. Her growing reputation continued with a 2016 showing at London Fashion Week, followed by another exhibit in Rome. Her achievements earned her a spot on the BBC’s annual 100 Women list, an honor shared by notable figures like Alicia Keys, Simone Biles, and Zoleka Mandela.
2. Karen Gaffney—Athlete
In 1977, Jim Gaffney had a unique idea to help his 9-month-old daughter Karen improve her breathing and muscle tone. He blew air into her face, then briefly submerged her underwater, hoping to stimulate her development. This unusual technique marked the beginning of what would become a remarkable swimming career for Karen.
Karen’s achievements are extraordinary: in addition to earning two gold medals in the Special Olympics, she became the first person with Down Syndrome to complete the English Channel relay. But her accomplishments didn’t stop there. She went on to conquer Boston Harbor, San Francisco Bay (16 times and still counting), Lake Champlain, Dun Laoghaire Harbor, and even the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. In 2007, a documentary titled Crossing Tahoe: A Swimmer’s Dream focused on her incredible journey.
1. Sujeet Desai—Musician
Sujeet Desai, a gifted musician from Buffalo, New York, graduated high school with a remarkable 4.3 GPA before completing his studies at Berkshire Hills Music Academy two years later. Desai is proficient in seven instruments: piano, violin, drums, Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, and saxophone. His accomplishments have been highlighted in two documentaries, and he has appeared on numerous shows including The View, 20/20, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. His greatest achievement to date was his 2015 performance at Carnegie Hall, which earned him a standing ovation.
Desai has accumulated a wealth of prestigious awards, including several Olympic medals. His musical talent, coupled with these accolades, earned him the honor of performing solo at the 2009 Winter Special Olympics opening ceremony. Now residing in New York with his wife Carolyn, he is working towards a second performance at Carnegie Hall.
