I’m a father of three, and my middle son, who has Down Syndrome, has completely changed the way I think about resilience, love, and what it means to live a fulfilling life. From a young age, we navigated medical concerns, an education system that didn’t always understand him, and later the challenges of helping him find meaningful work. There were moments that were incredibly hard—not because of who he is, but because of the systems we had to move through to support him. Today, he’s 27, a community college graduate, has held a job for years, and is now beginning to explore living more independently. I couldn’t be prouder. Along the way, I’ve connected with other parents—sometimes just over coffee, sometimes on the phone—and helped them reframe the fear they feel into hope. I often tell people: don’t limit your child based on what you think might happen. They’ll surprise you again and again. I’m here to offer that same encouragement and perspective to others—whether you're just starting your journey or facing a new transition.