05/19/2026
Hello, my name is Alana, and I was born with Down syndrome. My mom tells me that she waited three years to hear me say “Mama.”
My mom taught me our own form of sign language so I could communicate my basic needs. After I learned to speak, we stopped using sign language.
I had a great support system in school. In kindergarten, I was given a support person who attended school with me. When I entered first grade, I asked, “Why am I the only one with a staff person?” My mom explained it to me, and I said, “I don’t want a staff person. I want to be like all the other kids.” So, they stopped assigning a staff person to me, and I was on my own.
All the students accepted me as I was, and I was included in all activities. However, I did have special classes for reading, writing, and speech.
I enjoy music, dancing, and singing, and those things bring so much joy to my life. I love expressing myself through music and sharing happiness with others.
I thank God and the prayers of my family and friends who prayed for me. You see, at birth my parents were told to expect me to be limp like a rag doll and always behind the eight ball. Well, our Lord had different plans for me, and we thank God daily. He has truly blessed me.
During my senior year of high school, I was nominated by my peers and teachers for Homecoming Court. I was elected Crown Bearer, second only to the Queen. It was an amazing journey to participate in all the events of Homecoming Week.
A well-known football player asked if he could es**rt me during Homecoming. I was also featured in the Beaver County Times for being the first special needs student to make Homecoming Court in the 88-year history of Hopewell High School.
Now, I am in training to discover what job I would like to pursue in the future. Once again, I am relying on God Almighty to guide me and show me where I am supposed to be.
Thank you,
Alana
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