The Down Syndrome Association of Greater W-S Presents Matthew Schwab

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Winston-Salem will host self advocate and TEDX Speaker Matthew Schwab to Innovation Quarter.
A little bit about Matthew:
I’m a 22 year old North Carolina native, currently living with my parents, my two younger brothers and my dog Daisy in Holly Springs, NC. I also have Down syndrome.
I graduated from Holly Springs High School in June 2017 with an Occupational Course of Study diploma. In May 2019, I completed Project Search, an internship-based educational program, at Wake Technical Community College.
I like to stay busy and productive, and I currently work at my local Chick-Fil-A as a dining room host and food runner (4+ years), at Fuquay Revolution Volleyball as an Assistant Coach, and at my local AMC Movie Theater. I also believe that serving my community is important, and I’ve volunteered at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh for 6 years, with Wake County Public Schools as a volleyball manager for 11 seasons, and with the Wake County SPCA for 2 years. I’m currently volunteering at 321 Coffee, and at GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Raleigh. I am a GiGi’s Playhouse Ambassador, and Co-President of the GiGi’s Youth Advisory Board.
I am passionate about raising awareness about Down syndrome, and the entire intellectual and developmental disabilities community. I like to accomplish this on both public and private fronts. I’ve attended several workshops on advocacy, met with North Carolina Governors McCrory and Cooper, and I’m friends with the Mayor of Holly Springs. In the summer of 2018, I was a paid intern for Representative John Bradford in the NC State Legislature, and in June 2019 I had a one-day internship with NC Lt. Governor Dan Forest.
I love to speak to groups, large and small, about a variety of topics. My previous talks have been Living with an Extra Chromosome; Having a Disability in the Workforce; The Importance of Volunteering; and Advocating for Myself and Others with Disabilities. So far, my two favorite speaking engagements have been when I presented at the 2018 National Down Syndrome Congress annual conference about My Experience as a North Carolina Legislative Intern, and speaking to all of the Wake County Public Schools special education teachers and administrators (over 1000 people!) about Your Role in Your Students’ Success. Most recently, I’ve spoken to public school classes in both Wake County and Durham Public Schools about Thriving with Down Syndrome.
I am a dynamic and passionate speaker, and I would love the opportunity to speak to your group too! Please check out my YouTube channel (link is below) to see me in action.