Down syndrome is caused by a genetic defect on the twenty-first chromosome. It is also known as trisomy 21 because most affected people have a third copy of the chromosome, so appropriately March 21 (3/21) is Down syndrome day. There are many people who have to deal with living with this genetic abnormality, but their worlds and their lives are anything but abnormal.
Take John Cronin. He’s the co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, an online store that sells, well, crazy socks of all descriptions and sizes to fit just about anyone, from babies to adults. Why did John decide on socks? Well, he’s creative and funny, he can be loud, edgy, corny, he’s a guy who wants to give something back. Oh, and he loves socks! He also loves people and loves to help people and if he can make someone smile with his crazy tights, he has accomplished his mission.
John is a young man with Down syndrome. He’s also a retail and customer service student at a tech school near his house, not to mention he’s an entrepreneur with the online sock store. He is also an athlete who competes in snowshoeing, basketball, track, soccer, floor hockey, and bowling with the Special Olympics. He Talks About A Multi-Talented Guy! Yes, people with Down syndrome find it more difficult to play sports since one of the effects is low muscle tone, but with practice anything is possible. A spirit that doesn’t die doesn’t hurt either, and when you don’t have snow to practice snowshoeing with, what’s a guy to do? Go to the beach, that’s what. Training in the arena works too!
John and his co-founding father emphasize the Three S’s at their company, which is socks, service, and Special Olympics. 5% of the proceeds from your socks go directly to Special Olympics and its many programs.
John’s Crazy Socks is his company and he’s proud of what he’s accomplished, but it’s not all John is. He is a person who prides himself on customer service and being nice to everyone no matter what. He has shown that it doesn’t matter if you have a disability, if you want to do something you can do it, even if you need a little help or it takes longer to achieve your dream. If you can dream it, you can do it, just like John.