A unique exhibit began Saturday at Studio YEG Art that includes 21 artists showcasing what makes them special — they all have down syndrome.
Nine-year-old Jordan Grace MacKeigan is one of those artists. Her contributing piece titled “Down Syndrome Karyotype” is a colourful painting that features what makes her unique.
“Makes me happy,” said Jordan Grace, holding up her painting.
Organizer Maria MacKeigan started the event to show the community that having Down Syndrome doesn’t hold a person back — something she wishes she knew when her daughter, Jordan Grace, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
“They told me that she wouldn’t be able to do anything, basically, and our lives are pretty much over. So, it was really scary to me,” MacKeigan recalled.
That couldn’t be further from the truth for her daughter and many others with Down Syndrome, like entrepreneur Julia Zyla.
Get daily National news
Zyla has created a business out of her passion for baking cookies. She’s even hired five employees with disabilities for her company: Treats by Special P.
The company, whose motto is “A special place, for special people to do special things,” makes five different kinds of cookies, but Zyla has a definite favourite.
- Missing 8-year-old girl in Nova Scotia’s Cumberland County prompts emergency alert
- Louise Arbour will be Canada’s new governor general, replacing Mary Simon
- New Brunswick should enshrine into law the right to clean water, says lawyer
- Canada records 1st trade surplus in 6 months as gold, oil exports jump
-
![]()
Exclusive: Chinese consulate allegedly tried to cancel Vancouver arts show -
![]()
‘Pearson is a disaster’: Poilievre backs Toronto island airport expansion -
![]()
Spirit Airlines goes out of business after 34 years, ending operations immediately -
![]()
Feds announce $250 million to expand training capacity for skilled trades within the CAF
“I like chocolate,” she said.
MacKeigan says she hopes this weekend’s event serves as a reminder to the community that people with Down Syndrome are just people.
“More people (should) see what they can do, what they’re capable of doing and how beautiful their lives are. Jordan Grace, my daughter, has a zest for life. She shows me more about life than anybody has ever done before.
“It’s not about what she can do for us or for society — she’s human, just like you and me and she needs to be accepted for who she is.”
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.