Celebrate T21: Providing Support & Bringing Families Together

The drive: What challenges have you overcome? 

Like all organisations, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges over the past 12 months!  

These have included:  

• Taking the risk of hosting an outdoor event, our inaugural Picnic Parade, which was then impacted by bad weather and had to be rescheduled.  
• Hosting events in a post-COVID world where any in-person events come with an element of risk and unpredictability – for example our photography exhibition in February, which could have been cancelled last minute if there was a COVID outbreak.  
• Finding sponsors and donors to raise money for the creation of the new photo book. We struggle to source funding from outside the Down syndrome community. Our Down syndrome families are great at helping to raise money, but we struggle to get the same support from outside of our community. We really need to get assistance externally with sponsorship of postage and shipping – we often get sponsors for books and packs, but then have to take a hit when it comes to paying for shipment.  
• Expanding our Celebrate T21 distribution network – to get it into the hands of medical professionals, organisations, nationally (and achieve the goal of providing packs to ALL families at the point of diagnosis). It’s challenging to get people in the medical sector to take our books (for free) and distribute them. If we can get books into the hands of doctors and midwives, that will help us achieve our goal of helping all families at the point of diagnosis.  

For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business? 

Running Celebrate T21 is different to other businesses, in that it’s a social enterprise based on creating change, not profit. With that in mind, I’ve had to build my confidence in asking for money and donations – knowing that we can genuinely put these funds to good use, and feel confident in what people are contributing to.  

I wish I’d been better at asking for help and delegating work sooner, but it’s hard when you’re relying on the kindness and contributions of others. You’re asking them to take a risk with you, and to take a chance on your new ideas. 

I love that this business is truly making a difference in so many lives. The feedback we’ve had from the families in our network, and the national media interest we’ve had in rewriting the narrative around life with Down syndrome is truly inspiring.  

When I was given the T21 diagnosis when pregnant with Lincoln, I was in shock and unsure of what my future would look like. I wondered if I’d ever be able to work again – and if I’d have to give up my careers as a teacher and photographer. To think that four years later I’ve created a national organisation with more than 4,000 followers and huge successes under its belt is so hugely rewarding.  

Hopes and dreams: What next? 

Our future plans include:  

Identifying partnerships with like-minded organisations: We’re all about making connections with other organisations and helping our families to connect with other relevant networks. For example, we’ve recently started a new partnership with Down Syndrome Australia to help us reach more families at the point of diagnosis, and raise the profile of Celebrate T21.  

Extending the distribution network of our Celebrate T21 books and gift packs: Trying to get our books into the right hands, particularly within the medical sector, as it is medical professionals who will deliver the initial diagnosis of Down syndrome.  

Creating a mentorship program for young adults with Down syndrome: We want to create a program which allows our young adults with Down syndrome to flourish in their area of talent, and then help them share these skills within a guided workshop scenario with other youth who have Down syndrome. Creating peer-to-peer mentoring opportunities.  

Identifying opportunities for our ambassador network: We have a great network of ambassadors who represent Celebrate T21. These are people with Down syndrome of a variety of ages and backgrounds. We’re identifying opportunities for them to present to schools, TAFES, universities, the education and medical sectors. The idea is that they’ll help the medical professionals, teachers and adults of the future to be better informed about how to connect with people with Down syndrome and how to deliver a diagnosis of Down syndrome. It’s all about fostering a more inclusive environment.  

Visit the Celebrate T21 website to find out more, and join their supportive communities on Facebook and Instagram.