Meet Addison, Easter Seals Advocate of the year!

October 08, 2019  •  Leave a Comment

Meet Addison, Easter Seals Advocate of the year! 

Did you know October is Down syndrome Awareness Month? I want you to meet Addison Bortnick, Easterseals Advocate Of The Year and ask you to take a moment to get to know this amazing young woman with Down Syndrome that is inspiring our community to be fully inclusive!
This passionate self advocate is on a mission to replace DOUBT with KNOWLEDGE, replace FEAR with LOVE, and to replace SEGREGATION with INCLUSION. Go check out this passionate self-advocate on her youtube channel. Please like and subscribe to show your support. CLICK HERE---> Love & Dream Without Limits | Powerful Message From Self Advocate Addison Bortnick

I am so inspired by the huge things that she has done in her community and it was such a pleasure to photograph her. She is doing huge things and I'm so excited to help her spread the word.

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At the young age of 12 Addison is a passionate self advocate with a courageous heart full of God’s Love. She has BIG BIG BIG dreams of making the world fully inclusive. She is on a mission to replace doubt with knowledge, replace fear with love, and to replace segregation with acceptance. Her goal is to soften hearts and show the world that ALL people deserve the right to be accepted and included as they are, regardless of their diagnosis. There are no limits to anyone’s potential.
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With LOVE anything is possible, because Love never fails- Corinthians 13:8 

Before Addison could communicate with words, she was the cover girl for Children’s Ministry Magazine and was also chosen to be the cover girl for the book titled Special Needs Ministry for Children. Addison didn’t need words to share God’s love. Her contagious smile, trust in others, and beautiful heart was her way of letting her light shine reflecting God’s love. Addison continued to be in numerous magazines and newspapers in her younger years touching many lives.

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Once Addison became a fulltime student she immediately began paving the way for district change and a movement toward full inclusion for herself as well as all others with disabilities. 

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Addison’s persistence and positive attitude, despite her many obstacles, allowed her many abilities to take flight. Addison took great pride in her many academic achievements as well as her extracurricular activities including cheerleading and dance achievements. Children's photographer McAllen Texas, kids photography portraits, pictures, family photos, picsChildren's photographer McAllen Texas, kids photography portraits, pictures, family photos, picsChildren's photographer McAllen Texas, kids photography portraits, pictures, family photos, pics

Addison became very engaged in spreading awareness, acceptance and love for Down syndrome within her community. She was on the news a few times and helped in many ways with her local Buddy Walk.  

 Addison’s inspiration to others continued as she inspired the City of Abilene’s Art Walk. The Mayor presented a Proclamation to Addison along with her peers in The Upside Down Club, Inc.

to Proclaim January 14th “Inside Out & Upside Down Day” in Abilene, TX.

 At the age of ten, Addison had found her VOICE and was eager to be a voice for all individuals not being taught that their voices are valuable She was eager to share her message "Love & Dream Without Limits to the world." Addison was invited to be the guest speaker at The Upside Down Clubs Annual Buddy Walk. Shortly after she got to speak in conjunction with an Emmy Award Winner at The Rio Grande Valley Down Syndrome Association’s Step Up for Down Syndrome event.

 Addison’s passion for being a Voice for all others with disabilities lead her to take a stand and advocate in many ways. Addison spoke at Legislative Listening sessions, School board meetings, Cathy Middle School and many more. Addison won first place in the Texas District 12 4-H public speaking competition and also got honored as the 2018 Easterseals Advocate of the year. Addison got honored with an official House Resolution at the Texas State Capital! 

We know this is just the beginning to all the incredible ways God is using her to be his hands and feet, paving the way for Equality and making this world fully inclusive! For with God nothing shall be impossible Luke 1:37

 


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