An ordinary life

Sam attended a mainstream school and college. For the past 10 years she has held down a full time job, travelling independently every day. She manages her own money and all aspects of her life, including AmDram (as a part of the award winning Showdowns theatre group.)

Ordinary for so many, but still extraordinary for people like Sam, who have Down’s syndrome.

Sam has smashed the Down’s syndrome stereotype and is keen to help others to feel that they can do lots of things no matter who they are.

She was a lead commissioner at the World Down Syndrome Congress in 2018 – which resulted in an invitation to the Queen’s Garden Party – and was included in the BBC’s World’s 100 Most Influential Women in 2018.

Mind Your Language

Sam is an active fundraiser and campaigner with Down’s Syndrome Scotland, giving talks across Scotland, speaking in the media and appearing in the charity’s seminal ‘Mind Your Language’ campaign in 2019 – she is determined to help people understand the impact of their language on others. She has also travelled to India to inspire other young adults with Down’s syndrome.

See if you can spot her in this video for the national “Mind Your Language” campaign…

Like so many other people with a learning disability, Sam has encountered bullying and hate crime – she’s been spat at in public – but has shown great fortitude in not letting this derail her.

Two awards in one week, well done Sam!

We’re thrilled to report that Sam was presented with a Special Commendation award at the Graduation Ceremony on Monday 25th November at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The Principal of Glasgow City College put her forward for all her hard work and her inspiration to help others in the college to achieve work.

Sam says, “People need to understand that everyone with a disability is just another person, that we are all unique, that we should all be included, and that we can all achieve things.”

In the press

• Kraft Heinz 57 Hospitality Heroes announces three finalists
  Read on publicsectorcatering.co.uk
• ‘NOTHING PHASES HER’ Inspiring woman who is one of few Scots with Down Syndrome to hold down full-time job tells others ‘you can live a normal life’
  Read on thescottishsun.co.uk
• North To South – Glasgow’s Sam Ross
  Read on no1magazine.co.uk
• College worker with Down’s Syndrome disgusted after vile thug spat in her eye during Glasgow train station ‘hate crime’
  Read on thescottishsun.co.uk