Jocelyn Sykes is just like any other two-year-old girl.

 

She enjoys playing and spending time with her family. The only thing bigger than her smile that can light up a room is the amount of love in her heart.

 

All the characteristics are there to be a perfect ambassador and recently that is exactly what she became.

 

Jocelyn has been selected as one of 29 new ambassadors for Nothing Down, an organization with a goal of changing the way the world views Down syndrome. The ambassador program application began in January and Nothing Down this year received applications from 42 states and 11 different countries.

 

Jocelyn is the first-ever Nothing Down ambassador to represent the state of West Virginia. Alongside her family, Jocelyn will assist the organization through community outreach, fundraising and social media promotion for the duration of 2020.

 

Although she lives in Martinsburg with her parents, Jessica and Martrelle, Jocelyn has ties to the area.

 

Jessica was basically born and raised in Bridgeport and is a Bridgeport High School alum. Her parents and Jocelyn’s grandparents, Sheddrick (Sonny) and Terri Donaldson, still live in Bridgeport.

 

“We found out a few weeks ago but we couldn’t say anything until Nothing Down made the announcement,” Jessica Sykes said. “We filled out an application, basically telling our story about Jocelyn. They liked it, saw the pictures and it was announced that she was an ambassador. It’s beyond exciting.”

 

The mission of Nothing Down is to provide support, advocacy, education and opportunities for individuals and families that have been touched by Down syndrome. They aim to change the way that the world views Down syndrome and eliminate the stigmas that are often associated with disabilities.

 

Nothing Down produces documentaries, viral photo and video projects, an annual calendar and social media campaigns that highlight the promise and beauty of individuals with Down syndrome. In addition, the organization runs several programs including Blessing Baskets of Hope, which supports new and expectant parents of babies with Down syndrome, and a nation-wide World Down Syndrome Day school program that celebrates differences and fosters acceptance among students.

 

The school program raises awareness and funds for participating schools during the week of World Down Syndrome Day, which is March 21.

 

Jessica has already been active in promoting awareness and education about Down syndrome. This new opportunity with Jocelyn being an ambassador should only help her reach a larger audience.

 

“One of the best things we can do is to teach people to not count these kids out and change the narrative about disabilities,” Jessica said. “I like to take the dis out of abilities because there is nothing dis about their abilities. It’s just that they are differently abled to do anything that we can do.

 

“We need to advocate and we need to educate. Some people think the diagnosis of Down syndrome is a life sentence. And it’s not.”

 

An unfortunate stigma that comes with children who have Down syndrome is that they are somehow different than other kids. Jocelyn is proof that the stigma couldn’t be further from the truth.

 

“Jocelyn is a little firecracker,” Jessica said. “She loves to dance. She loves music. She loves to read books. She brings Mommy a book to read every night, every day.

 

“She is about to turn three (Jocelyn’s birthday is March 19). We are just excited about all of her milestones. We celebrate all the little milestones she makes, the walking, the talking, being able to interact with other children. She loves going to Day Care. She never meets a stranger. She is very loving and such a sweet little girl.”

 

Jocelyn’s grandmother, Terri Donaldson, can certainly attest to how friendly Jocelyn is to everybody she encounters.

 

“Anywhere she goes she will throw up her little hand and say hi,” Terri said. “She speaks to everybody. It makes you a little apprehensive but you have to look at it through the eyes of a child. She knows no fear.

 

“We were at Bob Evans the other night and to the people behind us, she kept waving and talking to them. The lady was so impressed she went over and bought a stuffed toy and brought back to her. Jocelyn has so much love in her heart. It’s love, what else could it be?”

 

Not only is Jocelyn full of happiness and joy, she has plenty of resiliency.

 

“About a month ago, she had surgery, she had her tonsils removed,” Terri said. “But she just bounces back. She’s had several surgeries but she just bounces back. She never lets anything keep her down. She’s a typical little girl, loves playing with her babies, she loves playing and being busy. You can’t keep her down.

 

“It’s exciting for her to be an ambassador. I can’t wait to see how she is going to be represented and what doors are going to open.”

 

That fighting spirit and iron will is something that runs in the family as Jessica juggles a full-time job as a Registrar Services Specialist with the American Public University System with being a mother determined to create awareness about Down syndrome. Jocelyn’s father, Martrelle, is in the Navy Reserves.

 

“I saw a quote the other day that I really like,” Jessica said. “‘I hope she grows up and changes the world but I want to change the world first for her.’”

 

As a close-knit, strong family as the Sykes and Donaldsons are, each generational step comes with different perspective.

 

Terri not only has learned to view the world through the eyes of her granddaughter but through the eyes of her own daughter going through life with a child with Down syndrome.

 

“I’m in awe of the strength,” Terri said. “The things she has had to learn and the things she has had to do, it’s an amazement the advocate she has become. I still think of her as a child but then I think of her as the adult doing all of this, it’s kind of amazing. It makes you proud.

 

“Jessica just made a post on Facebook that really kind of sums it all up.”

 

(That Facebook post, which Jessica borrowed from a friend is listed below)

 

“You've changed...

 

Having a typical child changes you. But it's much different than the change that happens when you have a child with a disability.

Family members and friends who knew you before the birth of your child with a disability will comment on how you have changed. And when you think about it, you know they are right.

 

How could you not change?

 

Your expectations change. The vision of your
child's future changes. You begin the journey
of acceptance. You have to adjust to your new "normal". The word "normal" starts to get on your nerves a bit.

 

You start celebrating, and I mean really celebrating milestones that people with typical kids take for granted. You don't give up on your dreams for your child but your dreams definitely change.

 

You try not to compare your child with typical kids but sometimes it's so in-your-face that it's hard not to. And then you realize that it has to stop. It's not fair to your child and it's not fair to you. You continue the journey of acceptance. Accepting your child just as they are.

 

You begin to see the beauty in them more than ever before. Their joy. Their unconditional love. Their perseverance. Their determination. You start to notice the things they CAN do instead of focusing on what they haven't mastered yet.

 

You change.

 

You become a research fanatic, equipping yourself to be the best advocate possible for your child. Medical terms and educational terms you had never heard before the change become everyday words to you. When you see another parent of a differently abled child you feel drawn to them when you once would have
walked right past without even noticing them.

 

You use words like "differently abled" instead of
"special needs" or "mentally handicapped". The word "retarded" makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Even though you try not to let it bother you. Even though you used the word yourself before the change. Even though people have labeled you "too sensitive" about it. You can't help it.

 

You change.

 

And as you become aware of people who are prejudiced against your child you also become aware of your own prejudices against others.
Your own closed mindedness comes to light. You don't want to stay that way. You soften.

 

You change.

Some of your old friends accept the change.

Some don't. They distance themselves. Maybe they don't know what to say. Maybe they just can't handle it all. Whatever the reason, they are no longer around. You make new friends. Friends who get it. Friends who become like family. Friends who become your lifeline.

Me? Yes. I have changed.

 

I'm probably a little less flippant, a little more serious. I find joy in the simple things and
beauty in places I would have never bothered to look before the change. I avoid words like "tolerance" and embrace words like "acceptance". I am committed to judge less and forgive more.

 

This sweet girl changed my life.”

 

Although there will be some work involved as an ambassador, it should also create an opportunity for some fun new experiences for Jocelyn and perhaps some exciting travel destinations.

 

One of the first orders of business will be a bowl-a-thon in the eastern panhandle, two days after Jocelyn’s birthday, on March 21 — World Down Syndrome Day.

 

Nothing Down’s headquarters is in New Jersey and Jessica said she hopes they can get up there with Jocelyn and have some sort of gathering with the other ambassadors.

 

There’s still some unknown to figure out with everything that comes along with being a Nothing Down ambassador. Jessica said she wasn’t sure if it lasts for just a year as the organization does name new ambassadors every year.

 

“Hopefully we can be involved for as long as we possibly can,” Jessica said. “Maybe we can be a lifetime ambassador.”

 

If a lifetime ambassador position is an option, you couldn’t find one that would be a better fit than Jocelyn Sykes.

 

For more information about Nothing Down, click HERE

 

Editor’s Note: Top picture and fourth picture shows Jocelyn Sykes with her mother, Jessica Sykes, and grandparents, Sony and Terri Donaldson. Second, fifth and seventh photos are of Jocelyn showing off her smile. Third photo is of Jocelyn with her parents, Jessica and Martrelle Sykes. Sixth photo is of Jocelyn and Jessica.