Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Schiavone and Ashley Asti.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was born, the doctors didn’t expect much of me. The moment they held me up to my mom after I was delivered, she knew something was different. She said I looked like a sack of potatoes sitting limply in the doctor’s hands, though I was crying mightily. That’s when I was diagnosed with Down syndrome—and all the “she’ll never be able to do…” advice came after.
But I defied the doctor’s expectations because while they saw a diagnosis, my parents just saw their little girl who they were going to raise just like my older brother, Justin. I was a little girl and that was that. So as I grew up, I tumbled in gymnastics, rode on horseback, and swam through the pool for the Special Olympics. In high school, my life really thrived. I became a member of the school’s typical dance ensemble and walked the runway in my school’s fashion show twice (once on the arm of my principal!). I went to three proms. And I graduated high school.
I always thought I was destined for the stage—I loved to act and sing. I just never knew my stage would take the form of my own nonprofit, a platform that would allow me to spread more than my voice, but that would allow me to spread hope and love and joy.
One day while working at a clothing boutique, my boss showed me a video during our break of people welcoming new babies with Down syndrome to the world. The moment I saw it, something in me knew: this is part of my calling. I went home and insisted to my parents: “I want to help new parents of babies with Down syndrome.” I wanted to give them hope.
And I didn’t give up on the idea after that day: I was persistent, mentioning it over and over again. I’m blessed to have parents and a whole support team around me who believe in my dreams and, so, in 2014, Brittany’s Baskets of Hope was formed, a 501(c)3 nonprofit on a mission to spread resources, hope, and love to families welcoming new babies with Down syndrome into their lives. To date, we’ve sent over 1,000 welcome baskets to families in every state.
Has it been a smooth road?
We’ve worked as a team and been blessed by the kindness and support of strangers across the globe. This has made our path in this work feel like smooth sailing and has left us filled with gratitude.
But, as people within the Down syndrome community, we’re still faced daily with the challenge of shouting the worth of all individuals with Down syndrome. When babies are born with Down syndrome, far too often they’re still met with “I’m sorry,” and doctors who haven’t been educated on how best to deliver this news, with love and joy.
There are still too many people who set the bar low for individuals with Down syndrome, not believing in their inner power or purpose. As I always say, “People with Down syndrome can do anything—really, really anything.”
Please tell us about Brittany’s Baskets of Hope.
At Brittany’s Baskets of Hope, we deliver welcome baskets to families with new babies with Down syndrome across the United States. Our baskets are designed to spread resources, hope, and love, so they’re filled with books for the parents and my story in my own words and from my parents’ perspective. But we also fill the baskets with little celebratory gifts for the baby, like our signature “Down Right Perfect onesie.”
We’re blessed to have knitters and crocheters from all over this country who hand-make baby blankets for us, which we include in every basket.
We also want these baskets to be a source of hope for the future, so we have a list of “Companies That Inspire,” which are all companies we partner with that are run by or supported by individuals with Down syndrome. We have art designed by abstract painter Charlie French, an artist in Texas who happens to have Down syndrome. We have onesies donated and designed by Grace Key, an entrepreneur with Down syndrome.
These baskets are designed to change the narrative from, “I’m sorry,” to “Congratulations! Your future is bright.”
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
We’re based in New York, but we send baskets of hope to families in every state in the country, including California. In fact, later this week we’ll be packing a special basket for a family in LA.
Pricing:
- All baskets of hope are free. You can request one or nominate someone else for one on our website. We provide baskets for babies up to 6 months old.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://brittanysbasketsofhope.org
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanysbaskets/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittanysbasketsofhope/
Image Credit:
Nilaya Sabnis (credit for personal photo and first photo in additional images)
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