Ashley recently launched her new clothing line for women with Down syndrome.
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That dream is now a reality with the introduction of “Ashley by design.com”. The clothes are available online and launched at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention in July.
Even prior to that venture, Ashley had incredible perseverance to succeed at everything she did. Her mother, Connie says that "She has always told me that God had called her to be a gospel singer and she would practice for hours every day. I tried to gently discourage her because I knew it would never happen. (after all, she was just a little girl with Down syndrome). Then, she sang “Through the Fire” on a Crabb Family cruise, with the Crabb Family on karaoke night. The next day she was invited up to sing an encore at the final concert. As a result, she received an invitation from Pastor Charles McKinney from Purvis, MS and sing at his church. He also arranged for her to speak to 550 students at an assembly at Purvis High School."
Ashley spoke about her goals and accomplishments and then the students asked her to sing and she received a standing ovation.
Connie adds, " Raising Ashley to be self sufficient and confident was not necessarily a more difficult challenge than what parents of “Typical” children have, just different. When Ashley was 3 years old I was reading a book to her with a picture of a little blonde girl with Down syndrome. She said, “That’s me!” I told her, ‘No, that’s not you but she looks like you and God made her like you’. I then very simply explained to her that she had Down syndrome and what that meant. She said OK, hopped down, and we moved on from there. I have always told her that God made her exactly like he wanted her to be. God doesn’t make mistakes. I absolutely believe that! I am so honored that He found me worthy to be the mother of Ashley and her brother, Jim. He actually chose me! It wasn’t an accident. He looked at me and trusted me with caring for one of his very special babies. What an Honor!"
Ashley with her mother Connie
How to Contact:
Ashley DeRamus Foundation
Gary Christopher and Associates
Gary Kannegiesser
Tel: 440-670-2897
Email: [email protected]