{"id":56002,"date":"2021-03-21T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-21T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/?p=56002"},"modified":"2021-04-01T18:12:51","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T18:12:51","slug":"how-aerie-merchant-abby-vernon-celebrates-world-down-syndrome-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2021\/03\/21\/how-aerie-merchant-abby-vernon-celebrates-world-down-syndrome-day\/","title":{"rendered":"How Aerie’s Badass Merchant Boss Abby Vernon Celebrates World Down Syndrome Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At Aerie<\/a>, we\u2019re always looking for ways to celebrate the many amazing communities that make up our diverse world. This World Down syndrome day, we want to honor the occasion by highlighting our badass Merchant boss Abby Vernon, VP of Aerie Merchandising, and her family\u2019s unique story. Read on below to learn more about Abby and the importance of this day and raising awareness about Down syndrome! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Abby and family. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What is the importance of this day to your family?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our family, this is a day for us to generate awareness for the Down syndrome community and to celebrate the value of each person\u2019s uniqueness. For Abby and me, it\u2019s an opportunity to reflect on how much stronger we\u2019ve grown from the day we learned Ellie\u2019s diagnosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you recommend people educate themselves about Down syndrome? Are there any favorite resources you suggest checking out?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to educate yourself about Down syndrome is to talk to Abby! She loves to answer questions and talk about Ellie\u2019s impact on our family\u2019s life. Aside from this, Abby was recently President of the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh and made it one of her initiatives to improve the website as a resource for the community. Check it out! Dsapgh.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • \"\"<\/figure><\/li>
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    Left: Abby’s children, Gus, Ellie & Finn, pose for a family photo. Right: Abby with daughter Ellie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    What has Down Syndrome taught your family about support?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While we all have different strengths and challenges, our family is in this together. A little patience and teamwork go a long way toward building a supportive family! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What are your favorite ways that your family celebrates each other’s differences?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We want each of our kids to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives, so we think it is important for each of us to have interests to pursue, whether that is an activity we do together or space to do an activity alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Ellie smiles big for a photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    What do you wish more people knew about Down <\/strong>s<\/strong>yndrome?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We all want and need to be included in the community \u2014 with a little patience and encouragement, people with Down syndrome can do many of the same things as typical people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


    One word to describe your family:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Thankful! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Abby with family during the holidays.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Now, celebrate along with us by checking out the video below which pays homage to the #LotsOfSocks initiative to raise awareness about Down syndrome. Then join in by choosing your own fun socks and invite your friends and family to help amplify the conversation! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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