I am a 34-year old young man with Down syndrome. I have worked as the Awareness Leader at the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) for 9 years.

I like sports. I swim with the Calgary Dolphins Swim Club and participate in Special Olympics in Curling in the winter and Softball in the summer.

I have attended part-time at Mount Royal University since I graduated from high school in 2006.

When I was younger I had to work hard to learn to read, and I am happy that I did learn to read well.

Reading is important to me because I like to know what is going on in the world. I learn this through reading news items, blogs and tweets online. I also like to read online about music and movies that interest me. I go to the library to get books on projects that I can build either myself or with help. The library is a great place to get books or magazines without having to buy them.

Being able to read has also helped me to express my thoughts and feelings in the blogs I write for CDSS.

I am very excited about the CDSS National Literacy Program.

I hope you will consider joining my team in supporting such an important cause and help to reach our fundraising goal. Let's help everyone wtih Down syndrome learn to read!