Brittany is out to prove to the world that babies with Down syndrome can do anything!

When Sue Schiavone’s daughter was born with Down syndrome, she wondered what kind of life Brittany would have. It turns out, an amazing one! And today she’s helping families welcome their babies with Down syndrome into a happy and successful life!

In the delivery room, Sue Schiavone smiled as the doctor held up her newborn baby girl. Suddenly, though, the Huntington, New York, mom’s breath caught. Though Brittany was crying, something seemed . . . different. Unlike her big brother, Justin, whose tiny arms and legs flailed at birth, Brittany was as limp as a rag doll.

“What’s wrong?” Sue blurted as a team assessed Brittany. And finally, they determined: Brittany had Down syndrome.

Brittany pride

What

does this mean for her? For us? Sue and her husband, Rocco, wondered.

They were shocked. Worried. Angry, even—but only in private. Never once did they show their worries to the outside world. And they refused to listen to others’ “I’m sorry”s. Brittany is ours, and she’s a blessing, they vowed.

So when Brittany was just six weeks old, they enrolled her in an early intervention program for children with Down syndrome. And as Brittany grew, she proved unstoppable. At just nine months, she was walking. Soon, she had mastered sign language.

She’s already defying the odds! Sue marveled.

At school, she was in the first inclusion classes, though to Brittany—who never thought of herself as different—it wasn’t a big deal. She kept up with Justin whether playing softball or riding a roller coaster. And as the years passed, her shelves became lined with ribbons and trophies for Special Olympics swimming, gymnastics and horseback riding. She also won a photography contest and took part in her high school’s dance ensemble.

Sue and Brittany often visited schools as ambassadors for the Association for Children with Down Syndrome to show what a child with DS was capable of accomplishing. “If I want to do something, I never let having Down syndrome keep me from trying!” Brittany explained proudly. Her “can-do” attitude magnified when Brittany graduated. Always intrigued by fashion, she began working at a clothing and jewelry store. “You’re amazing!” customers marveled. But Brittany didn’t feel that way. Every child with Down syndrome can grow up to be a success. All she needs is someone to believe in her. And to believe in herself! she thought.

So Brittany decided to create Brittany’s Baskets of Hope ( Brittanysbasketsofhope.org), an organization to deliver gift baskets filled with baby essentials and resources to new parents of babies with Down syndrome to spread love and acceptance—and to celebrate their baby’s arrival.

Inspiring dreams to come true!

Brittany,

Sue, and their friend Ashley shared Brittany’s idea through word of mouth and on social media. And donations poured in—from church groups who crocheted baby blankets and tiny caps; from schools and businesses who held fund-raisers.

Soon, Brittany and her loved ones were assembling gift baskets, adding everything from baby lotion to books on Down syndrome to onesies announcing Let My Adventure Begin!, and finally tucking a card inside saying: Welcome to the family, new baby!

The first basket was sent to a family in Colorado who had adopted a little boy named Abel with Down syndrome.

“We can’t thank you enough for helping us learn so much!” they told Brittany.

Another family closer to home invited Brittany to visit. Holding the newborn, she told Maeve’s parents, “Don’t ever let anybody tell her she can’t succeed!”

Every day, notes of gratitude arrived along with ultrasound pictures, birth announcements and photos of the babies.

You give us hope and encouragement! one mom wrote.

When I would tell people our little boy would have Down syndrome, most didn’t know what to say. It is refreshing to hear someone say congratulations! e-mailed Marlana. Brittany, I can only hope my children will follow in your footsteps to be smart, fi erce, independent adults!

Today, 27-year-old Brittany has delivered over 350 baskets of hope to families in 46 states. And she continues to inspire, speaking at schools, colleges and conferences.

“My life is so rich and so full,” Brittany says. “I just want every baby with Down syndrome to know she, too, can do anything— really, really anything!”

Only the heart knows the immensity it wants to achieve.” NADIA SCRIEVA