This Dad Couldn’t Be Prouder Of His Daughter With Down Syndrome Who Just Graduated From College
There’s nothing more rewarding for a parent than seeing their child doing great things in life, such as achieving their academic goals. Even though many official graduation ceremonies this year have been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, it could not prevent parents from celebrating their kids’ success. Some congratulate the graduates via Zoom chat, others replicate graduation ceremonies at home. And let’s not forget those who take to social media to acknowledge their kids’ achievements—some even go viral for it.
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Image credits: jayhandlin
Jay Handlin recently became one such proud parent. His daughter Rachel has just earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography & Media from California Institute of the Arts.
Image credits: jayhandlin
To commemorate the moment, he announced the news on his Twitter account. “I am officially the proudest father on the planet,” he said. The tweet has since gained over 220k likes and 19k retweets.
Image credits: jayhandlin
Jay has a lot to be proud of, as Rachel’s achievement is not an ordinary one. The young woman has Down syndrome and in spite of it, she has achieved her goals.
Image credits: jayhandlin
According to the Pediatric Therapy Network, out of the Down syndrome population, only one person in a million successfully completes a higher degree program.
Image credits: jayhandlin
Her father, who calls himself a fierce father and a disability/inclusion zealot, has been sharing her uni progress with snippets of Rachel’s photography to showcase her talent.
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Here’s how people reacted
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Share on FacebookWith all the adversity and difficulties that people with Down Syndrome face, they always have the biggest and brightest smiles. Well done Rachel, may you be an inspiration to all.
Every one I have met has been the personification of love, optimism,,forgiveness, the example what we all should aspire to be
Load More Replies...What an amazing young woman and story of perseverance- wait to go, Rachel!
Congratulations Rachel Handlin! Well done! All the best in your future endeavours! And Congrats to the proud Dad- Jay Handlin, who let the world know how awesome his daughter is,! You guys are the best!
As a former middle school art teacher I'd just like to throw this out, my extra chromosome students were some of my favorites. They showed such love for watercolor. When their teacher asked hesitantly if they could take the class a second time, I told them they could take it a third if they wished! Take a small watercolor and frame it, hang it in the hall, watch the sun from their face beam! The memories are giving me a tear in my eye. You go girl!!!!
Congratulations to Rachel and Jay. And, thanks to Jay for putting light on stereotypes and showing what people with Down's Syndrome are capable of.
Congratulations Rachel! That extra chromosome makes those with Down Syndrome more than, not less than. Wonderful that parents like Rachel's dad see that. I'll be watching for her work. Take that, New Zealand...eugenics is disgusting; it is an uncivilized nation.
I think part of the reason why those with Down Syndrome don't get higher education is because others think they can't and therefore not given the resources they need to do it. Good for her.
That's amazing; perseverance and artistic talent - this young lady is good example to many of us.
This is amazing and quite beautiful to see. Well done Rachel- and your dad absolutely deserves to officially be the proudest dad ever. Very best of luck to you both.
Congratulations, Rachel! Everyone in Iceland should read her story -- maybe they would change their antiquated, negative, fearful attitude towards these wonderful people. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/down-syndrome-iceland/
With all the adversity and difficulties that people with Down Syndrome face, they always have the biggest and brightest smiles. Well done Rachel, may you be an inspiration to all.
Every one I have met has been the personification of love, optimism,,forgiveness, the example what we all should aspire to be
Load More Replies...What an amazing young woman and story of perseverance- wait to go, Rachel!
Congratulations Rachel Handlin! Well done! All the best in your future endeavours! And Congrats to the proud Dad- Jay Handlin, who let the world know how awesome his daughter is,! You guys are the best!
As a former middle school art teacher I'd just like to throw this out, my extra chromosome students were some of my favorites. They showed such love for watercolor. When their teacher asked hesitantly if they could take the class a second time, I told them they could take it a third if they wished! Take a small watercolor and frame it, hang it in the hall, watch the sun from their face beam! The memories are giving me a tear in my eye. You go girl!!!!
Congratulations to Rachel and Jay. And, thanks to Jay for putting light on stereotypes and showing what people with Down's Syndrome are capable of.
Congratulations Rachel! That extra chromosome makes those with Down Syndrome more than, not less than. Wonderful that parents like Rachel's dad see that. I'll be watching for her work. Take that, New Zealand...eugenics is disgusting; it is an uncivilized nation.
I think part of the reason why those with Down Syndrome don't get higher education is because others think they can't and therefore not given the resources they need to do it. Good for her.
That's amazing; perseverance and artistic talent - this young lady is good example to many of us.
This is amazing and quite beautiful to see. Well done Rachel- and your dad absolutely deserves to officially be the proudest dad ever. Very best of luck to you both.
Congratulations, Rachel! Everyone in Iceland should read her story -- maybe they would change their antiquated, negative, fearful attitude towards these wonderful people. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/down-syndrome-iceland/
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