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Author, Speaker, and Down Syndrome Advocate

A few introductions. A website with my name on it, but about much more than me. Click here for the most recent blogs. New to our site? Scroll down to see our projects and adventures. We look forward to meeting you, too!

Mardra Sikora - Down Syndrome Author
Down Syndrome Blog

Author and Down Syndrome Advocate- Most Recent Posts

The Most Generous Holiday

Black Day, Grown Ups & Downs|

Halloween It’s no surprise to me how many people we’ve met that tell us that Halloween is their  favorite holiday, and/or the favorite of a person they love with Down syndrome. There’s a lot of theatrics to Halloween. You can be whatever you want and people are like…cool! In my experience, Halloween is the most generous of holidays. Although it can be secular in who may choose to participate, it’s not secular on who is welcomed and included. In fact, everyone is included no matter how you look or speak.

Marcus Isn’t Selling Down Syndrome

Black Day, Grown Ups & Downs|

He's Selling a Halloween Book Marcus is an author who has Down syndrome. He is a self-proclaimed (and proven) storyteller. As authors, we are taught; “People don’t buy books, they buy stories,” and sometimes these stories include the story of the author. Plus, in social networking and marketing we are taught, people don’t “like” an organization/website/whatever-you’re-selling, they “like” a community. People “like” being a part of something. Consequently authors, especially new authors, have to start with who they know. Our Community Our community is full of people who, as

What I’m smiling at these days

Grown Ups & Downs|

Ok, first things first, #1 this video! We are Goo Goo Dolls fans and have been since, oh...before some of you were born. (Well, probably not many under 21 reading this, but possible!) ANYway, Marcus and I have been singing along (and karaoke-ing too) to many a Goo Goo Dolls song over the years.  I even wrapped up the Goo Goo Dolls song “Iris” into a starter review of a few Broadway shows a few years ago. Marcus singing “Iris” is something that will never not rip my heart

Down Syndrome Author News, Events, Opinions

Marcus is part of a program teaching playwriting

Former North drama teacher Jennifer Castello-Scott, now a freelance drama educator, devised the curriculum. She enlisted the help of author and speaker Marcus Sikora, who has Down syndrome. Marcus was involved in this cool program to teach the kids. Here's a lovely article in the Omaha World Herald about the program: Circle Theatre works with schools on playwriting project for special education students   Read on!    

By |February 25th, 2018|Categories: Grown Ups & Downs, In the News|0 Comments

Momaha: How I went from gold medal worrier to luckiest mom I know

Published on Momaha via Omaha.com earlier this week: Earlier this month, I stood next to my son, Marcus, while he spoke to a room of more than 1,200 spectators. It was unbelievable to witness. The event was the star studded "Be Beautiful, Be Yourself" fashion show, which took place Nov. 11 in Denver. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation hosts this event each year to raise money to continue research and improve medical care for people with Down syndrome. Marcus was named the 2017 "Be Beautiful, Be Yourself" Ambassador. As the parent of an adult with Down syndrome, I have been a

By |November 22nd, 2017|Categories: In the News|Tags: , |0 Comments

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