LaceyMental health is in the attitude. There’s no one better to show how to overcome what life throws at you than Lacey. Diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome, Lacey would get frustrated when she couldn’t do the things her older sisters were doing. As she got older, she began to make her own goals and work hard to achieve all of them. Lacey was mainstreamed in school and maintains a 3.5 GPA. She has a lot of friends and is known by many people no matter where they go. Because of her upbeat attitude and determination, suicide has never crossed her mind (her parents hope that she doesn't even know what suicide is). But, she has not had an easy road. Lacey has struggled with health issues all of her life. She was born with Tetrology of Fallot, a heart defect, that led to surgery at six months old in order to repair it. She has had over fifteen surgeries but always comes out smiling and better than before. This has not slowed her down. Lacey has been a cheerleader for over seven years and is very active in the Special Olympics competing in Swim, Bowling and Track & Field. She even qualified for the US Special Olympics games in 2018. I hope you will let Lacey’s smile infect your heart so that you can walk away with joy. Lacey knows she has Down’s Syndrome and is very proud of what that means and who she is. May we all learn from her and be proud of who we are.
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