Loren
Loren, 19, is a young entrepreneur living with her family in Asheville, North Carolina. As an avid crafter, Loren first printed and sold Down syndrome-related stickers on Etsy.com, then moved on to making custom glitter tumbler cups. Some of Loren’s other past and current hobbies include ballet dancing through the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, yoga, and gymnastics. She also began swimming lessons at age 4, and is very proud of her underwater handstand. Loren can often be found at the mall or picking up her favorite Starbucks order, the strawberry frappuccino.
At her family’s home in the mountains—when not crafting or listening to 21 Pilots on her iPod—Loren keeps busy by helping feed the goats and chickens. She also loves to join the family camping and hiking in nearby Pisgah National Forest. They often opt for gentler terrain due to her bilateral hip dysplasia, and take full advantage of the beloved scenic drive that is the Blue Ridge Parkway. When they lived in Denver, Colorado, one of Loren’s favorite activities was going off-roading in the family Jeep.
Loren’s mother Danielle noted that the special education experience in Colorado was uniquely well-developed. Loren had integrated classes, such as home economics and social studies. Her current program, though different, is one that she enjoys, and she also receives support through biweekly speech therapy and occupational therapy.
“I want to create the opportunities for her to live her best life,” Danielle says. We're excited to see where your kind heart and your talents take you, Loren!