ROCHELLE – A Chana resident has been chosen to be an ambassador for Nothing Down, an international Down Syndrome awareness organization.
One-year-old Lane Schabacker was chosen from over 500 applications from 42 states and 11 different countries, to be one of 29 ambassadors for the organization. The mission of the organization is to provide support, advocacy, education and opportunities for individuals and families that have been touched by down syndrome.
Lane’s parents found out about his diagnosis when his mother was about 12 weeks pregnant. Once the family got over the initial shock, one thing that helped them get through difficult times was seeing success stories from other families of children with Down Syndrome.

“It really helps to see other families that have a child with Down Syndrome thriving,” said Lane’s mother, Margie Schabacker. “If we can be that family for somebody else, that is golden.”
Being an ambassador means that Lane and his family will represent the organization through community outreach, fundraising and social media promotion for the duration of 2020. This can include documentaries, viral photo and video projects, annual calendars and social media campaigns.
Each of the projects and campaigns put on by Nothing Down highlight the promise and beauty of individuals with Down Syndrome. One thing that Margie and her family would like people to know about individuals with Down Syndrome, is that there are many more similarities than differences.
“They are more alike than different, they are just like you and I,” said Margie. “They may reach their milestones a little slower, but they will get there.”
Lane’s family has plans to begin hosting their own fundraisers, in which all of the proceeds will benefit Nothing Down to help them continue funding projects. To keep up with the ambassadors and their missions, or if you would like to donate, visit their website and social media accounts at www.facebook.com/nothingdown, www.instagram.com/nothingdownorg/ or www.nothingodwn.org.