About us

More than thirty years ago, Sarah Sander founded Down Syndrome Amongst Us with a simple but powerful mission: to foster awareness, understanding, and community surrounding individuals with Down syndrome and the families who love them. Sarah's own son, Moishey, was born with Down syndrome, and it was her experience as his mother that prompted her to begin this work.

Sarah began this work at a time when individuals with Down syndrome were too often misunderstood, overlooked, hidden away, or institutionalized. At a time when limited expectations were the norm, she fought fiercely for their rights, their dignity, and their place in the community. Working largely on her own, Sarah challenged deeply ingrained assumptions and refused to accept a world in which individuals with Down syndrome were denied the opportunity to be seen, heard, included, and valued.

She fought with remarkable determination and courage to break through an accepted norm; and in doing so, helped open the door to a different way of seeing individuals with Down syndrome: not as their limitations or diagnoses, rather as people with inherent worth, unique gifts, and enormous potential.

Today, we are honored to carry Sarah's mission forward. While much has changed over the past three decades, our work is far from finished. We remain committed to helping the world not only understand individuals with Down syndrome, but to truly delight in them; to recognize their unique gifts, embrace their contributions, and build communities where every person is welcomed and valued.

As we continue Sarah's mission, we hope to inspire greater awareness, meaningful connection, and lasting change; one story, one family, and one issue at a time.