FINDING VOICE & PURPOSE Sean’s joy, however, didn’t come out of nowhere. It was built through years of showing up in his community. Sean is a fixture on the sidelines of Monmouth University, volunteering with both the football and women’s basketball teams. He also enjoys volunteering alongside members of the Wall Fire Department. And his daily strolls on the boardwalk? He walks close to 5 miles every day. Sean’s deep community ties and work with Blue Dot helped shape him into an advocate. “During Covid, the world stopped but especially for Sean and his friends. When programs such as Blue Dot shut down, it was felt at such a deep level,” Celeste recalls. “We were fortunate Sean could come to the store with us every day to stay active. He got to know our customers and learn new chores.” Not everyone had that and for many, these programs shuttering was devastating. Programs like Blue Dot offer far more than structure or social time. They provide space to grow, contribute, and belong. USING HIS VOICE FOR CHANGE Sean’s natural curiosity and interest in politics from a young age made advocacy a seamless next step. Watching the news with his dad has become a nightly ritual, helping them stay connected to what’s happening in current events. This past April, Sean traveled to Washington, D.C. with the National Down Syndrome Society to advocate for critical legislation, including protecting Medicaid. He shared his story with New Jersey’s Representatives and Senators, meeting with the staff of Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Andy Kim, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and had a direct meeting with Rep. Chris Smith, our New Jersey Representative. Through his personal testimony, Sean highlighted important issues affecting the Down syndrome community, such as the fight against cuts to Medicaid and Social Security, and the financial and medical discrimination many face. Sean spoke directly about how Medicaid is a lifeline for individuals with disabilities and the essential programs that support them. Without
own the Life is Good store downtown, helped print the shirts. The best part? The proceeds go straight back to support Blue Dot, proving that kindness does spread. WALKING THE WALK It didn’t take long for local shop owners and community members to notice what Sean was building. Sean loves to walk through town and on the boardwalk in Sea Girt. Whether he’s running errands for the store like grabbing lunch at Baileys or picking up coffee at Driftwood, he stops to smile and Greet everyone he sees. What started as a small project has become something much bigger. Those same store owners and friendly faces on the boardwalk started to buy his shirts. Sean’s mom, Celeste, has watched this transformation up close. “Sean was a quieter person before Blue Dot,” she says. “He has become more lively. His involvement has sparked an excitement about his day.”
22 July 2025
Stroll Spring Lake 23
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