The National Down Syndrome Society and Down syndrome awareness in general are so important to me. NDSS was the first contact we had while doing scary research in those first days after our son Zachary was postnatally diagnosed with Down syndrome. Since those first overwhelming days and weeks, they’ve been a constant source of support, encouragement and advice. In recent years, I’ve had the most incredible honor of being a photographer for many of NDSS’s special events. I’ve traveled to New York City and New Orleans and a handful of places in between, but some of my favorite memories with NDSS are events right in our backyard of Washington, DC.

Caring with Congress is an event aimed at celebrating the members of Congress who have fought for and supported bills and important laws regarding people with Down syndrome and all disabilities. Every day, NDSS fights for rights regarding education, employment, health and even marriage and many members of Congress help make those fights just a little easier and a lot more likely to happen.

This was the 15th Caring with Congress event and all funds raised went towards NDSS’s Research Innovation & Discovery Fund that supports research and clinical infrastructure needs for the Down syndrome scientific and research community.

In between speeches and presentations from members of the US government and DC officials were beautiful moments between the hard-working staff at NDSS and the many self-advocates (individuals with Down syndrome who advocate on their own behalf) who were assisting at the event with serving and greeting.

These are the people that make big changes happen and big dreams come true and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to work with them and celebrate them. Because of them, the future for my son changes every single day.