Emmanuel Bishop, one of our 2017 Rockin’ Recipients who is an incredible violinist, a seasoned world traveler and a multilingual self-advocate, messaged me recently with his Best of 2017 list…and his Ruby’s Rainbow scholarship is at the very top!! ???????? That made this mama’s  proud — totally made my day!

Emmanuel attends Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville. His next trip will be to Saltillo, Mexico, to play with their Philharmonic Orchestra. As if that’s not enough, he’ll also make two presentations in Spanish AND Latin (no big deal) (wait, whaaat!?!). Seriously, this guy is ah-mazing!! ????????????????

Here’s his best-of list in full:

The Best of the Year 2017
9 countries, 7 presentations in 3 languages, 8 violin recitals, Golf: 4 Special Olympics medals and 2 holes-in-one.

• Ruby Rainbow’s Post-Secondary Educational Scholarship
• World Down Syndrome Day Self-Advocacy Award (pictured, left!)
• 10th Annual Young Musicians Series Concert

His list goes with a Facebook video – you can check it out here!

Read more about Emmanuel on our site!

And check out one of Emmanuel’s self-advocate speeches (which he delivered in Latin!!!) – he spoke at the 9º Festival Internacional de Mentes Brillantes, Mexico, about Down syndrome discrimination, myths and stereotypes, Peter Singer, and his right to life. ❤❤❤

Truly incredible and inspiring!!!

#KeepOnRockinItEmmanuel #RockinRecipientsRule #DownSyndrome #DownSyndromeAwareness #DownSyndromeRocks #NothingDownAboutIt #NoLimits #College #CollegeBound #CollegeBoundHomies #SelfAdvocate

2017 Rockin’ Recipient Emmanuel Bishop, left in blue shirt, plays violin with orchestra