College student with Down syndrome shatters stereotypes with her many presentations around USA

From Livingston Daily in Michigan:

Nineteen years ago, doctors told parents Mike and LuAnn Loy they should consider institutionalizing their newborn daughter diagnosed with Down syndrome.

A few years later, doctors told the Brighton couple their daughter, Abby, would never learn to read.

Today, the proud parents feel so grateful because they didn't listen.

"We just felt that Abby deserved the chance to explore her potential just like our other children," LuAnn Loy said. "I just didn't want to put limitations on her. We were prepared to accept less, but not expect less."

Not only can 19-year-old Abby Loy (pictured) read, but she has toured the region in recent weeks to give oral presentations about Down syndrome to government and education groups. In her presentation, Abby Loy tells how the cognitive disorder has affected her life — such as causing delayed speech and coordination development — but also has not stopped her from living a happy life.

The presentation is meant to bring awareness and break stereotypes about people with Down syndrome.

"Most people don't understand Down syndrome very well," Abby Loy said. "Each person with Down syndrome has strengths and weaknesses."

Abby Loy happens to have many strengths.

The recent Brighton High School graduate — who described herself as outgoing and caring — now attends Washtenaw Community College. She is studying child development and dance, which is a favorite hobby along with baby-sitting and horseback riding.

During high school, Abby Loy played clarinet in the marching band, and competed in swimming and teen beauty pageants. She has a boyfriend, Max, who accompanied her to the prom.

In 2005, Abby Loy ended up on C-SPAN during a trip to Washington, D.C., to lobby for what became the Prenatally and Post-natally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act signed into law last year. She met Sens. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and the late Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., during the trip.

Abby Loy presented all of her accomplishments during an Oct. 23 presentation to a University of Michigan class of second-year medical students. Professor Jenny Christner said the class "fell in love with Abby." Christner said about 75 percent of her students said Abby Loy's presentation was their favorite aspect of the class.

"She's just adorable and really able to connect to people really well," Christner said. "I thought it was a very powerful presentation to hear everything she has done."

Ann Routt, treasurer of the Howell Public Schools Board of Education, which Abby Loy addressed Oct. 12, agreed.

"To hear her talk about what she's doing now in terms of her career and ongoing education was really encouraging," Routt said.

What Abby Loy has been able to accomplish despite having a disability has not been easy. LuAnn Loy said she and her husband had to push for their daughter's rights and and believe in her potential when no one else would.

LuAnn Loy said she refused to allow her daughter to be segregated from general-education classes and took on much of the responsibility in teaching her daughter to read.

"Individuals in the school system didn't always agree with our vision of what Abby would be able to achieve," LuAnn Loy said. "We had a vision of success for Abby. We weren't sure what success would include but we encouraged her to dream."

Abby Loy seems to be happy with the outcome.

"I feel great," Abby Loy said. "I love my life and my journey."