Our Story
When we found out our unborn daughter, Cecelia, would have Down Syndrome, our world shifted in ways we didn’t expect. At first, it was overwhelming—so many questions, so much uncertainty. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions—fear, doubt, and worry—we knew deep down that this wasn’t the end of our dreams for her. It was simply the start of a new, beautiful journey.
We needed time to process and understand what this meant for our family and our future. So, we leaned in, learned, and connected with other families and children with Down Syndrome. What we saw amazed us—stories of resilience, strength, and joy that shattered all the stereotypes and misconceptions we had unknowingly held. Slowly, excitement began to grow within us. We made a promise right then and there: we would never place limits on Cecelia. No diagnosis or outdated belief would define what she could achieve.
When Cecelia was born on November 18, 2015, our hearts overflowed with love and gratitude. She was beautiful and perfect, just as she was meant to be. From the very beginning, we made sure she had a community of support surrounding her. With early intervention services at the Kennedy-Donovan Center, as well as endless love from family and friends, Cecelia began to flourish. We saw it in her milestones—how she strengthened her mobility, built awareness of her surroundings, and formed deeper connections with others. Every achievement was a reminder that this journey, though different than what we had expected, was filled with possibility.
Our commitment to the “No Limits” mindset became a cornerstone of our lives. We didn’t just want to help Cecelia thrive—we wanted to advocate for a world where all children with Down Syndrome could dream big and live fully. That’s why we turned to running, not just as a personal challenge but as a way to support organizations that have empowered our family and countless others. Matt ran the 2017 and 2018 Boston Marathons for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, along with the Chicago Marathon for “Ups for Downs.” Derrah joined in by running the “Race for 321,” a journey from Washington D.C. to New York City for the National Down Syndrome Society. Together, we crossed the finish line of the 2018 Boston Marathon, and we kept going—Derrah ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 2019, continuing our mission. Thanks to the outpouring of generosity from our friends, family, and community, we raised over $40,000 between 2017 and 2019 to support these incredible organizations.
But raising funds was just the beginning. We realized that Cecelia’s story was a powerful tool to inspire others and change perspectives. That’s why we created Cecelia’s Adventures—a charitable foundation dedicated to spreading the “No Limits” way of life. Through this foundation, we aim to share Cecelia’s journey, advocate for inclusion and opportunity, and give back to the organizations that have supported us along the way.
Our story is still being written, and every step forward is a reminder of what’s possible when we believe in ourselves and each other. Cecelia’s life has taught us to push past fear and embrace the unknown with courage. Together, we are building a future where no child is ever defined by a diagnosis—because the only true limits are the ones we choose to overcome.