More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome

In this inspiring memoir, David Egan tells his own story, giving us a window into a life spent pushing boundaries. With a family undaunted by his diagnosis of Down syndrome, Egan learned early to speak up for himself. He has since become a powerful advocate for all people with disabilities.

His optimistic perspective rejected the limits of stereotypes and the expectations of others. He shares how the support of loving family and friends led him to overcome challenges and blaze new trails. It started with swimming and baseball, when he earned places on his neighborhood teams, competing fiercely and as a fully accepted teammate. He writes firsthand of the empowering feeling of being fully included in elementary school and at work as an adult.

Egan has earned positions at prestigious companies and a distinguished fellowship on Capitol Hill. He sits on the boards of influential advocacy organizations. He has addressed audiences worldwide and has played a powerful global advocacy role with Special Olympics.

He allowed himself to dream big, and he encourages everyone to do the same. His lesson to all of us is to focus on our shared humanity despite our differences--and our diagnoses. This hopeful memoir will encourage everyone to make the most of their lives.

David Egan is a well-known champion of the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities. Born with Down syndrome, he has served as a Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger. He was the first person with an intellectual disability to serve as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy Fellow. In that role, he worked for the Ways and Means Social Security subcommittee on Capitol Hill and with the National Down Syndrome Society. He also represents self-advocates with the National Institutes of Health Down Syndrome Consortium. Egan has delivered speeches to audiences around the world. He's now a Community Relations Coordinator at SourceAmerica near his home in Vienna, Virginia. Learn more about David Egan at: www.davideganadvocacy.com

Kathleen Egan, Ph.D., is David Egan's mother. She has retired from a rich career that spanned a range of leadership positions. Married and a parent of four adult children, she is an active advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Egan serves on the National Institutes of Health's National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council (NACHHD).