Who We Are
A Special Miracle, or ASM, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a social purpose for advocating for families of individuals with Down syndrome. We express and fulfill our commitment of “uplifting families for Down syndrome” by facilitating our tote bag program, community engagement, and support network to navigate challenges and celebrate milestones.
Our Story
Founded in 2017, A Special Miracle is a nonprofit corporation that sets itself apart from other Down syndrome organizations by having a core group of leaders who are siblings of individuals with Down syndrome. What started as a small gathering between the Roland and Deangulo/Rebek-Nagy families quickly transformed into ongoing conversations about their children’s futures and the potential to significantly impact people’s lives. We saw the benefits of eliminating disability bias as young children and wanted to share our experiences and lessons with others. Our family stories shaped the idea for our business and had the potential to give people hope. Because the inspiration for our organization came from our childhood, we named our company after our siblings with Down syndrome: A Special Miracle, or ASM; the A is for Alex, and the M is for Marcia.
Our inspiring family-related background became the foundation for our business and the reason for our continued success over the years. We knew from day one we wanted to offer people a level of collaborative care and support that other organizations didn’t. A Special Miracle works to build and maintain long-lasting relationships with individuals, businesses, and other entities associated with the Down syndrome community. Since then, we have traveled to hospitals and healthcare organizations, spoken in open sessions, and actively fundraised for Down syndrome initiatives. Our mission and testimonies have been presented to hundreds of families who actively work to spread our message themselves. We plan to continue expanding our support network, offering the best resources available, and doing everything possible to advocate for individuals with Down syndrome.
Our Mission
A Special Miracle exists to spread awareness and celebrate diversity with Down syndrome by addressing social issues in innovative and inspiring ways. Our mission speaks into the four key principles:
Support
ASM at its core provides support, encouragement, and love to families who have or are expecting a child with down syndrome.
ASM’s plan is to go directly into the hospitals or homes to provide support by giving each family a special gift for their new baby. We believe those first days in the hospital or home are very important to families. We are excited to have Alex, Marcia, or a sibling in our family to deliver these personal gifts. We are here to uplift your spirit and bring joy, as we join in the celebration of your special miracle.
Education
ASM helps families navigate through their child’s journey by providing resources and sharing stories from our own personal experiences.
ASM will provide families with educational resources to set your child up for success throughout the various stages of life development. Our organization is here to equip families with the right tools to maximize your child’s full potential. We will offer parenting workshops, cognitive training, parent and me classes, and a variety of resources throughout the community.
Community
ASM builds a support system for all families to share their experiences and offer further support, education, and encouragement.
ASM understands it is vital to family, friends, and the community to have a support system available. We are passionate about the unity of our two families because it has contributed to the growth and development of both Alex and Marcia. We choose not to see the world through one set of lenses, but continually adjust our lenses to see the many possibilities of individuals with Down syndrome. That’s why it is important to have a community of people of all ages, gender, race, and culture. We must be willing to share our testimonies, insights, stories and ideas to empower families to see a new perspective when it relates to individuals with Down syndrome.
Possibility
ASM invests in advocacy, research and opportunity efforts for children and people with down syndrome to reach their full potential.
Our Message
A Special Miracle simply reminds people that God has given every human being a gift. We do this through sharing our uplifting message that brings God’s presence wherever it is displayed, as James 1:17 tells us “Every good and perfect gift is from above”. This verse can be particularly comforting for families of individuals with special needs, reminding them that their loved one’s unique abilities and challenges are part of God’s plan and are ultimately good. Even in difficulties, there is goodness and purpose to be found. We believe God has called us to use our gifts, talents, and experiences to help others. Through community involvement, generous donations, intentional relationships with people and much more, we’ve seen so many lives changed. We are so grateful to be able to participate in countless deep conversations, prayers, and shared testimonies, all starting from the message of James 1:17.