Donate Through Max + Lauren’s 3/21 Pledge Page Here!
Max McGinley and his mom, Lauren Lambert live in Santa Monica, California and both are fierce advocates for the rights of all people to live life with no limits and no judgment.
Max, who is 26, and has Down syndrome and apraxia, advocates for himself by literally rocking his extra chromosome. He is a talented musician, and he plays guitar and sings in a band; has recorded several songs and made a music video; and he continues to hone his skills through ongoing music classes, private lessons and hours of dedicated practice every day. He loves Star Wars, classical music and anything John Williams has ever done. When he isn’t making sweet music Max loves to exercise-yoga, swimming and surfing are his favorites-and he supports his video game and lemonade habits through his job at Starbucks.
Lauren, an attorney, broker and life-long photographer, has advocated throughout Max’s life for his inclusion and for inclusion and equality for all people. People have always tried to put him in a box full of labels, but together they have said no. People who don’t know Max so often jump to judgment. No one believed he could read when he arrived at the first day of kindergarten, but he could. Max enrolled in a college level guitar class in high school, and everyone rolled their eyes. He got an A. The first time Max performed with his band at a big show he stood with his back to the audience. Instead of begging Max to turn around, Lauren snuck backstage and got the best pictures of Max rocking his electric guitar with a full house behind him.
Max is a non-speaker, which doesn’t mean he’s non-verbal. Quite the opposite, Max has lots to say on a million topics, and uses a letter board and spelling to communicate his thoughts on a variety of robust topics including anything from the Beatles and Beyonce to the assassination of JFK to whether or not we ever landed on the moon (Max says yes). Our message is simple: if you presume competence and open your mind to what is possible, you will only be pleasantly surprised by what you find, a concept that is the very essence of Ruby’s Rainbow. We are excited to help raise funds and spread the message that people with Down syndrome are incredibly capable!