CHICAGO — When Nate Simon was born, he was sick. Doctors told his mother, Holly, he wasn’t expected to be able to walk or talk.

“I definitely want the world to see that our kids can do more and be more than what others have expected,” said Holly Simon.

For the last 19 years, Nate, who has Down syndrome, has been proving everyone wrong.

“You've done millions of things in your little life,” Holly said to Nate.

The walls of his bedroom are lined with more than a hundred Special Olympics gold medals.

“I play basketball. I'm very good at golf and bowling,” said Nate.

A fashion-lover, the teen and his model sister have walked the runway for L.A. Fashion Week. He’s rubbed elbows with celebrities like Lady Gaga, and he’s also got a huge following on TikTok.

And it was on the social media platform Nate first connected with a Colorado-based comedian and influencer known online as Officer Daniels.

“I came across their account and instantly fell in love and followed and reached out and said, ‘Hey, I love what you guys are doing. I have a sister who has Down syndrome as well, and I'd love to just connect,'” said Daniels.

That connection turned into a friendship, with surprise visits and a deepening bond.

“When they met, there was magic between the two of them,” said Holly.

So, when Holly Simon turned to Officer Daniels to find a way to raise awareness and give back, they found inspiration in Nate’s signature style.

“It hit me one day that Nate loves Hawaiian shirts, and there wasn't a single reason why he couldn't own his own Hawaiian shirt company,” said Daniels.

That's when 21 Pineapples was born. It was named for the extra 21st chromosome people with Down syndrome have and Nate’s favorite fruit.

“I love pineapples. I love to eat them. And I like the crown of the pineapple,” said Nate.

“Because why? It's like a crown,” said Holly. “And don't you think all kids with different abilities should wear crowns?”

“Yes, I do,” responded Nate.

The company sells bright, bold Hawaiian shirts and accessories with a portion of the proceeds going to support Down syndrome organizations around the world.

“I had somebody tell me that this condition wasn't to be celebrated, and this is exactly why we're doing it— to prove those kinds of people wrong,” said Daniels.

“Kids like Nate don't usually have opportunities to own their own companies or be CEOs,” said Holly. “And now, he's the boss.

Within the first two days of going live, they sold out, crashing their website.

Officer Daniels says it’s just one way he’s been able to celebrate his elder sister, Heather, and his friendship with Nate.

“They have all the love in the world, and a lot of times they don't get it back. So, that's kept me very humble,” he said.

For the Simons and the entire team at 21 Pineapples, where some see a disability, they see endless abilities.

“When everybody is afraid or sad, we need something to hold on to that's positive,” said Holly. “And there's nothing more positive than a young man following a dream.”

The first man with Down syndrome to have ever completed an Ironman Triathlon, along with his father, are sharing their powerful keys to success that they believe can unlock potential in anyone.

You've heard it from others. You tell it to yourself. There are so many things you can't do.

When Nik Nikic and his wife Patty first had their son, Chris, that's what they heard too. Doctors explained what life could be like for a person carrying an extra chromosome and told them that their son might never learn to tie his own shoes.

A few years ago, Chris Nikic was 40 pounds heavier and living a rather isolated life. His father suggested something that turned on a light and became the beat of every step forward — get 1% better every day.

They've written about the journey in their book, "1% Better: Reaching My Full Potential and How You Can Too."

"The reason people don't attempt something is because they don't think it's possible," Nik Nikic said.

Everyone faces unique challenges, and how each person responds is different as well.

"Enjoy every day and every moment and create a habit of achievement, one where every day you're winning. And every day matters," Nik Nikic said.

The family realized if Chris Nikic pushed to be slightly better every day while still having fun, the end goal didn't matter as much as the improvement that would come.

The realization of "1% better" propelled the journey beyond their wildest dreams. Chris started working with trainers and guides. The outcome was extraordinary.

In 2020, he became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon. In less than 17 hours, he completed a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run.

"Like Chris says, his dream was bigger than his pain," said Marquis Johnson, who trains with Chris.

Chris and Johnson joke nonstop.

"I do 12 pull-ups, he does, like, 5 and I say, 'Too soft! Who's next?'" Chris joked.

The family has traveled the country sharing the message of "1% better" at speaking engagements, and they've set new goals for Chris.

"People look at all of that and say, I don't have Down syndrome, I don't have a 70 IQ, I don't have all these physical disabilities, what's my excuse? What can I do with my life?" Nik Nikic said. "And it's not in a bad way; it's in a good way."

Chris is running in marathons across the country. He's consistently working on his golf game, and he's trying to find the woman of his dreams.

"I'm single, adorable, and available, so check me out, ladies," Chris Nikic said.

Chris is like the potential in every person — extraordinary.

"It's humbling when you realize that God has a much bigger plan than you do and a much bigger vision than you do," Nik Nikic said through tears. "It's humbling to see how God is using him to do things we never could have imagined to make a difference in the world, to help people who really don't believe in themselves."

Chris Nikic has changed himself and everyone around him.

"He has a powerful mind," Johnson said.

This story was originally published by Ashleigh Walters on Scripps station WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida.

A middle school cheerleading program in Utah has received criticism after a student with Down syndrome, who was working as the team manager, was excluded from an official team portrait this year.

Shoreline Junior High School's cheerleading squad took two official team portraits — one photo with 14-year-old Morgyn Arnold and another photo that included everyone but Arnold, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Wednesday. The latter photo was used by the school on social media and in the yearbook.

Arnold's older sister, Jordyn Poll, 25, said she believes the decision was made because of her sister's disability. She also said it was the second time in three years that Arnold was left out of the yearbook — she was not mentioned in the class list two years ago.

"Morgyn is very intelligent," Poll said, adding that her sister's name was not even mentioned in the yearbook. "She knew what happened. She was sad, and she was hurt."

In public posts on Facebook and Instagram, Poll shared the two photos and argued that the school was deliberately excluding her sister. She said her sister spent hours learning the dances, going to games and supporting the team.

"It's the SAME cheer team — SAME girls, SAME photo shoot, SAME poses, but one included all team members and one did not," Poll said. "A choice was made on which photo to submit."

Shoreline Junior High posted an apology on its Facebook page. But the page was later hidden or deleted.

"We are deeply saddened by the mistake that was made that omitted a student photo out of the yearbook," the post said. "Apologies have been made to the family, and we sincerely apologize to all others impacted by this error. We are continuing to look at what has occurred, and to improve our practice."

Davis School District in Davis County, just north of Salt Lake City, put out a similar statement.

"We are continuing to look at what has occurred and why it occurred," the statement said. "We will continue to look at our processes to ensure this does not happen again."

Poll said her family initially called the school and was told there was nothing they could do, The Tribune reported. She said Wednesday the school contacted the family again and are working "to make the situation right."

Disability Law Center of Utah attorney Nate Crippes said Wednesday that this type of exclusion happens often in schools across the state, and that the center receives about 4,000 annual complaints. Crippes said all districts can work to improve by adding more accommodations and being more inclusive.

Arnold will be in ninth grade at Shoreline Junior High next year, Poll said, adding that her sister has not yet decided if she will continue being the cheer manager.

CHICAGO — When it comes to getting an organ transplant, people with intellectual disabilities continue to face barriers. Misconceptions about their ability to comply with post-op requirements sometimes mean doctors and transplant centers have refused to put them on waiting lists.

Charlie Robertson is a sweet, curious 5-year-old girl, who loves to pick flowers for her family. But Charlie, who has Down syndrome was born with a hole in her heart that didn’t close on its own.

“It was kind of always in the back of my mind that if she needed surgery, something went wrong, she needed a heart transplant, she may be denied,” said Charlie’s mother, Lindsay.

Physicians and hospital transplant teams make the determination as to who is a good candidate to be added to the national waiting list. But denying organ transplants to people with intellectual disabilities like Down syndrome or autism still happens even though it’s illegal.

One study reported that 85% of pediatric transplant centers consider intellectual or developmental disability as a factor in their determination of transplant eligibility, and 44% of organ transplant centers wouldn’t add a child with a neurodevelopmental disability to the list.

“There is still discrimination faced by people with disabilities for organ transplants,” said Ashley Helsing, director of government relations with the National Down Syndrome Society.

Helsing says families can file a complaint with the Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, but that takes time.

“And when a person is at the point where they need a transplant, time is absolutely of the essence,” said Helsing.

Earlier this year, Congress introduced federal legislation to expand protections in the Americans with Disabilities Act. It would prohibit organ transplant discrimination based on a person’s disability or their perceived inability to comply with postoperative care.

“Not many people with Down syndrome and those with IDD get the opportunity to have a life-saving organ transplant,” said Charlotte Woodward.

The proposed federal legislation is named for Woodward, a disability civil rights activist with Down syndrome who received a life-saving heart transplant nearly nine years ago.

“If my doctors hadn’t advocated for me to be a heart transplant recipient, I wouldn't be here,” said Woodward.

In the meantime, states are being lobbied to step in.

Texas recently joined 19 other states, like California, Ohio and Florida, that have passed laws ending disability-based discrimination on the organ transplant list. Another nine states, including Colorado, New York and Tennessee, have introduced similar legislation.

Lindsay Robertson worked to get a state bill passed in Illinois and on to the governor’s desk.

“As a mom, I feel like it's just one more thing that we have to fight for so that people know that it doesn't matter if they have a disability,” she said. “She's worth it. If she needs a transplant, she should be able to get one regardless of her diagnosis.