Trigger Video Mobile
Watch our video and learn how to tell your story
Shooting Stars
MDSC awards inaugural Employee of the Year Award to Lowell’s Philip Donahue, who has worked at Market Basket more than 25 years

Burlington, MA. (May 1, 2022) – The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC), the premier resource for Down syndrome information, advocacy and networking in Massachusetts, is proud to present Philip A. Donahue of Lowell with MDSC’s inaugural Your Next Star Employee of the Year Award. Philip, 53, has worked at Market Basket for a total of […]

Read More

Forbes: Collette Divitto, Cookie Entrepreneur, Stars In New Peacock Docuseries

Reprinted from Forbes online by Steven Aquino Contributor, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion NBCUniversal-backed Peacock launched an original documentary series late last month called Born for Business, which premiered on August 23. The show chronicles the journeys of four entrepreneurial disabled people who are running their own small business. In a press release, Peacock describes the series as “powerful” […]

Read More

Market Basket celebrates Phil’s 25 years of employment

With the coronavirus pandemic in full swing, our Your Next Star ambassador Phil Donahue took some time off from his job at Market Basket in Tewksbury. However, he was invited back to Market Basket to celebrate his remarkable 25th Anniversary! So, after 3 months away from the store, Phil returned to celebrate with co-workers and […]

Read More

On the cusp of adulthood

We are excited to share this powerful blog post from our Your Next Star collaborators, Work Without Limits, and written by AIM dad Scott Borchardt, a partner at PwC, another YNS collaborator. By Scott Borchardt Our daughter, Noelle, is on the cusp of adulthood. She’s an engaging 21-year-old with Down Syndrome, who is excited about […]

Read More

Your Next Star Ambassador Collette Divitto’s Business is Booming

We couldn’t be prouder of our Your Next Star Ambassador Collette Divitto, whose business is booming a year after the 27-year-old’s story went viral. As our YNS Ambassador, Collette is a shining example of what people with Down syndrome can do if given the opportunity. BOSTON (CBS) – You can’t blame Collette Divitto for feeling […]

Read More

People with Down Syndrome Need Jobs, Not ‘Special Jobs’

We loved this promo featuring Glee’s Lauren Potter (who happens to be a good friend of the MDSC and special guest at our Buddy Walk). As she says, “What we really need” is nothing special ~ a quality education, friends, acceptance and, of course, good job opportunities.

Read More

This Determined Chef wouldn’t let Celiacs stand in her way

Tess Keijser couldn’t have been more excited when in high school, she signed up for a culinary class. She knew right away what kind of career she wanted to pursue – something that involved cooking. But there was one complication – she became very ill with celiac disease, and while she got well in due time, she had to quit class and began pursuing some of her other interests.

Read More

McDonald’s Employee with Down Syndrome Retires After 32 Years of Dedication

Long-time McDonald’s employee, Freia David, celebrates 32 years of being in the workplace. Freia, who has Down syndrome, started working at the Needham McDonald’s in 1984. Freia was the first of many success stories that show how adults with disabilities can thrive in the workplace. Freia was one of the first to benefit from the Charles […]

Read More

Bike Zone Employee Offers Tune-Ups for Donations

For the first time, Carey Daly, a young man with Down syndrome, will be offering his services as a Bike Tech at the 6th Annual Buddy Walk by the Sea on Sunday July 31, 2016. Bring your bike for a tune-up and join hundreds of champions in the Down syndrome community at the Hyannis Village Green […]

Read More

Sister Writes a Buzzfeed Article About her Hard-Working Brother

On June 12th 2016, this article and photo story joined Buzzfeed’s Community posts. It features Brian Heffernon, an MDSC self-advocate who not only has done amazing work himself, but has also spoke on behalf of people with disabilities at different events. The Buzzfeed article showcases Brain’s achievements such as writing screenplays, speaking as a disability advocate, […]

Read More