A VERY SPECIAL DESIGNER

ASHLEY DeRAMUS IS A SPECIAL DESIGNER WITH A VERY CREATIVE CLOTHING LINE.

There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why… I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?
……….Robert Kennedy

There is an exciting new designer hailing from Hoover, Alabama who is bringing her special talents to those with special needs.

In terms of achieving your life dreams, when these great minds outlined steps toward goal attainment, what they had in mind certainly applies to Ashley.

Don’t let your goals and resolutions fall by the wayside. Chances are that to achieve your dreams and live a life you love, those goals and resolutions are crucial. Goal setting and goal achievement are easier if you follow at least these two steps.

You need to deeply desire the goal or resolution. Napoleon Hill, in his landmark book, Think and Grow Rich, had it right. “The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.” So, your first step in-goal setting and achieving your dreams is that you’ve got to really, really want to achieve the goal.

Visualize yourself achieving the goal. Lee Iacocca said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” What will your achievement feel like? How will your life unfold differently as a result? If the goal is a thing, some gurus of goal setting recommend that you keep a picture of the item where you see and are reminded of it every day. If you can’t picture yourself achieving the goal, chances are – you won’t.

Thank you About.com Human Resources.

As reported by Al.com Living, Ashley DeRamus of The Ashley DeRamus Foundation, an organization founded for and dedicated to the education, advancement and quality lifestyle of children and adults with Down syndrome, made her music video debut with Grammy Award-winning Christian and gospel singer Jason Crabb in a video for his new single, “Love Is Stronger”.

Musicnewsnashville.com shares as well, Ashley DeRamus continues to prove that those born with Down syndrome have ability and not disability. She has once again accomplished something that most young people only dream about and that is to be featured in a music video with Grammy Award winning Gospel Music artist Jason Crabb.

Ms. DeRamus, the 30-year-old founder and namesake of the foundation who also has Down syndrome, is featured in the music video along with numerous other families impacted by Down syndrome from throughout the Southeast. The video will be used by The Ashley DeRamus Foundation to promote general awareness of Down syndrome.

Ms. DeRamus has an expanding and impressive resume. Ashley and her mother Connie DeRamus recently launched Ashley by Design, a clothing line specifically tailored to fit women with Down syndrome. Ms. DeRamus presented the clothing line at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention in Denver July 19-21, 2013. She also recently spoke at the United Nations about living with Down syndrome as well.

Through the work of Ashley and the Foundation, their goal is to increase awareness and enlighten others about the positive contributions they make. Ashley’s goals for the foundation are to be an advocate and support programs for those with disabilities through fundraisers and education.

Ashley recently introduced a clothing line specifically designed for young women and adults with Down syndrome.

What is Down syndrome?

Let’s get the answer straight from the authority. The National Down Syndrome Society states in every cell in the human body there is a nucleus, where genetic material is stored in genes. Genes carry the codes responsible for all of our inherited traits and are grouped along rod-like structures called chromosomes. Typically, the nucleus of each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, half of which are inherited from each parent. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21.

This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm – although each person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all.

One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common genetic condition. Approximately 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome and about 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year. Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels, though older women have an increased chance of having a child with Down syndrome. A 35-year-old woman has about a one in 350 chance of conceiving a child with Down syndrome, and this chance increases gradually to 1 in 100 by age 40. At age 45 the incidence becomes approximately 1 in 30.

Individuals with Down syndrome are becoming increasingly integrated into society and community organizations, such as school, health care systems, work forces, and social and recreational activities. Individuals with Down syndrome possess varying degrees of cognitive delays, from very mild to severe. Most people with Down syndrome have cognitive delays that are mild to moderate.

Due to advances in medical technology, individuals with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before. In 1910, children with Down syndrome were expected to survive to age nine. With the discovery of antibiotics, the average survival age increased to 19 or 20. Now, with recent advancements in clinical treatment, most particularly corrective heart surgeries, as many as 80% of adults with Down syndrome reach age 60, and many live even longer. More and more Americans are interacting with individuals with Down syndrome, increasing the need for widespread public education and acceptance.

Ashley is a pioneer in a growing thought process within the industry that services people with special needs. Many groups are offering new vocational alternatives of business owning. With organizational assistance, program participants will learn the process of developing and ultimately owning their own business.

For more information regarding Ashley’s vision and clothing line, please visit her at AshleyDeramusFoundation.org or Ashleybydesign.com.

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Sources: Brainyquote.com, About.com Human Resources, The Ashley DeRamus Foundation , Ashleybydesign.com. The National Down Syndrome Society, www.ndss.org, Al.com Living, Musicnewsnashville.com photos courtesy Wikimedia Commons and Ashley DeRamus Foundation.