ALL ABOUT ANNIE - page 2
Ann has always been
encouraged to be friendly, courteous, independent, out-going,
and to always try new experiences so that inclusion in school,
church and community generally would be a satisfying and
realistic goal.
Today Annie Forts is our
Lakes Region "Goodwill Ambassador" and a charming,
attractive, outgoing, young woman, nationally recognized
motivational speaker who annually travels over 20,000 miles
speaking at meetings & conferences all over the United
States.
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The primary focus of
Ann's speeches is to help people understand there definitely is an
"UP" side to life with Down Syndrome. She speaks from
first hand knowledge because she too has Down Syndrome, which
she prefers to call "UP" Syndrome. She created the
concept of "UP" Syndrome to redefine, in a positive
way, the image of mental disABILITIES & to focus on the
ABILITY portion of the word, disability.
Ann has served 7 years as a
member of the President's Advisory Committee in Washington DC
called The President's Committee on Mental Retardation. She has
been a guest on "The Today Show" and "The Geraldo
Rivera Show." Ann has received numerous regional &
national awards for sharing her "UP" Syndrome philosophy
with her peers, their families, students, teachers, doctors and
social workers. She received the 1st International Self
Empowerment Award by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation at the
United Nations in NYC. |
Ann has been a major contributor to the
Fund by donating many of her speaking fees and her recent donation of
$10,000 which she received as part of her Paul G. Hearne / American
Association of People with Disabilities 2002 Leadership Award.
"Don't
sit around waiting for someone else to get involved. While you
are waiting for someone else to get involved, you probably
will miss out on a lot of great and wonderful experiences
that might not come your way again!!!" - Annie Forts
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The Annie Forts "UP"
Syndrome Fund, Inc.
PO Box 838, Moultonboro, NH 03254
Phone: (603) 253-9916
Text and Photos Copyright
©2002
The Annie Forts "UP" Syndrome Fund, Inc.
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Brook Design |
