228. The Hip Hop Homies With Extra Chromies: Merrie, Eric, & Collin (w/Director Carol Tingey)

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month, friends!! We’re celebrating BIG this month with some incredible self-advocates chatting about everything from entrepreneurship to marriage! We’re excited to have Hip Hop Homies founder and director Carol Tingey along with Homies Merrie Ellsworth, Eric Gardner, and Collin Curtis! Founder and director Carol Tingey started dance classes 5 years ago when she saw the need for activities for our friends with Down syndrome who have aged out of high school. Hip Hop Homies started as a small group of friends getting together to dance and have fun, but has grown into weekly classes and performance outreach! Self-advocates Merrie, Eric, and Collin tell us about their lives and journey to becoming part of The Hip Hop Homie community! Merrie just celebrated another birthday on October 7th, and is “40 and fabulous!” Eric celebrated his birthday on October 8th and turned 53! Collin just graduated from high school and shares his love of participating in rodeos! We’re so excited to introduce you to our new incredible friends!