These are Joel’s insightful and wise insights during Down syndrome awareness month. We can all learn a lot from him. 😍 #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #downsyndromeadvocate #theluckyfew #neurodivergentartist #love #believeinlove

Joel’s title for this one is “Eating Sushi”, and he says “I love eating sushi. I use a fork because it’s easier.” 🍣😋🍴❤️ #sushiart #drawing #sushi #downsyndrome #theluckyfew #downsyndromeartist #neurodivergentartist #ottawaartist

I am very happy to share this story on Father’s Day. Last year I was fortunately selected to tell my son Joel’s story, when I was in Seattle at a StorySLAM for @The Moth . I believe it’s a story other young and prospective parents need to hear. 😍 This video is an edited down version, so if you’d like to see my entire 5 minute story please see link in Instagram profile. A big thank you to The Moth for providing me this wonderful opportunity. And for continuing in their unique and important mission to promote the art and craft of storytelling, and to honor and celebrate the great range of human experience. The Moth is our favourite family podcast, and we encourage everyone to listen and share. 🙏 Happy Father’s Day to you all! ❤️ #happyfathersday #prouddad #proudfather #theluckyfew #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #inclusion #storytelling

Joel says “I think it’s good to be in the magazine.” 😀 It was super exciting to receive the new J Positive cover story, which beautifully talks about Joel and our family’s journey together. Thank you so much Cassandra for the wonderful manner in which you captured our story, and to Frank Fenn for the absolutely stunning photos. 🙏❤️ If you’d like to read this Centrepointe Magazine story please visit see link in profile. #FrontPageNews #Storyime #FeelGoodStory #MagazineFeature #ProudMoment #JoyfulArt #DownSyndrome #NeurodivergentArtist

Joel calls this one “Bon Jovi Concert”, and he says “my favourite Bon Jovi song is Livin’ on a Prayer because I think it’s positive.” 🎵😀 Joel is a very big @Bon Jovi fan. We were fortunate enough to see Bon Jovi l play live back in 2012, and Joel still talks about the show! Joel is also a HUGE music lover, which then often feeds his artistic creations. If you’d like to check out his J Positive art and some of his art inspired music collection, please visit artbyjpositive.com or see link in profile. 🙏 Rock on everyone!!! 🥳 🥳 🥳 #ConcertVibes #ArtThatRocks #LivinOnAPrayer #MusicLovers #MusicAndArt #DownSyndrome #NeurodivergentArtist #RockOn

Joel says “I speak Canadian.” Sometime he’ll make the most interesting and entertaining statements! 🥰❤️😂 And please feel free to comment if you happen to know what “speaking Canadian” might be. 😀 Happy Canada Day everyone! 🇨🇦🥳 #CanadaDay #HappyCanadaDay #CanadianPride #DownSyndrome #TheLuckyFew #NeurodivergentVoices #DisabilityPride #PositiveVibes

Joel says “I think it feels good to be 30. I liked everything about my birthday party.” 🥰🎂 We had an awesome time recognizing Joel’s milestone. We had dinner with people who have touched our lives, played some games, and celebrated Joel’s big year! 🎉🥳 The “surprise” gift at Joel’s party was the arrival of Joel’s album cover artwork, on the Hardcore Freewheelin’ album from the wonderful musician Dennis Ellsworth. Thank you Dennis for showcasing J Positive’s artwork in the amazing medium of music, which Joel loves so very much! 🎵🤩 We have all been on a terrific journey through Joel’s 30 years, and we are so very fortunate to have some amazingly supportive and loving friends and family along to join us on our unexpected adventure. We are all so truly blessed to have Joel in our lives. 🙏❤️ #30thBirthday #Birthday #ThirtyAndThriving #AlbumArt #FeelGoodArt #DownSyndrome #TheLuckyFew #InclusionMatters

Joel says, “I do know that Chris is cool.” 😎 It’s always a big moment when Joel gets to see his hero @Ottawa Senators alumni Chris Neil again — and this year’s Kyle Turris Capital City Condors golf tournament fundraiser was no exception! Chris visited the Condors’ hole, making sure every athlete had a turn at the tee and celebrating each swing with genuine joy and encouragement. 🥰 Thank you, Chris, for the kindness, energy, and enthusiasm you always bring to our team. Your support means the world to our athletes. 🙏❤️ #HockeyIsForEveryone #DisabilityInclusion #AdaptiveAthlete #TeamSpirit #InclusionMatters #OttawaEvents #GolfForGood #Fundraiser #SeeTheAbility

I am so proud to be one of the many Dads sharing their stories on social media — especially when that story includes my uniquely gifted son, Joel, who happens to have Down syndrome. 🥰 Our journey together has been full of surprises — some unexpected, but all deeply meaningful. What began with uncertainty 30 years ago has grown into a life filled with joy, connection, and purpose. I am extremely grateful for what Joel continues to teach us every day. 🙏 Our entirely family feels endlessly blessed to have Joel in our lives — and we truly believe the world is better because he’s in it. ❤️ Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing Dads out there! #FathersDay #FatherAndSon #ProudDad #JoyfulParenting #DownSyndrome #TheLuckyFew #HappinessIsDownSyndrome #GratefulHeart

Joel said “Sophie and Paul are nice. Everyone wearing my hats was cool.” 😀🎩😎 J Positive recently made a special delivery to Ottawa Logistics, on request from their CEO Paul and his daughter Sophie. They had asked for some of Joel’s joyous designs for their staff. They were all thrilled to be sporting the J Positive bucket hats and tote bags, and they were also very kind and gracious with Joel. 🥰 Thank you SO much Paul, Sophie, and the entire Ottawa Logistics team for making our day! You all have an amazing order fulfillment and shipping business. It was wonderfully generous of you all to encourage Joel in helping to grow his own Art By J Positive business, and perhaps in the future to grow it even large enough to be able to use your services one day. The visit left Joel extremely proud. 🙏🥹 And an extra special thanks for the security vest, which Joel is now wearing regularly (see very entertaining previous post). Joel says “I think it keeps me safe.” Which is always a good thing! 🦺 👍 #SupportLocal #MadeWithLove #WearableArt #BucketHat #CoolHats #Ottawa #DownSyndrome #NeurodivergentArtist #Inclusion

Joel says “Being safe is about by being brave.” Joel was gifted this safety vest during a wonderful customer visit to Ottawa Logistics that he recently made (more on that in next week’s post). He has now decided to wear the vest whenever he goes walking, so that he is safe when crossing the street. This is just one of the many ways Joel takes care of himself! #SafetyVest #StaySafe #SafetyFirst #StreetSmart #SelfAdvocate #IndependentLiving #DifferentNotLess #DownSyndrome

Joel says “I drew a fire breathing dragon. He is a friendly dragon. He will make their boat go fast.” 🐉🔥 Joel had previously drawn this design for his Mom’s dragon boat team, and this t-shirt design is now available in Joel’s store (ArtByJPositive.com). And also note that his Mom’s team did indeed go very fast! 🤩 And we are all excited to race on June 21 in the upcoming Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, as part of the team from Capital City Condors. Last year we worked really hard, and we were accessibility champions! We are definitely aiming to repeat this year. Paddles up!!! 😅🏆 #DragonBoat #Dragon #FriendlyDragon #HandDrawn #DownSyndrome #Inclusion #NeurodivergentArtist #PaddlesUp

Joel raced in a 5K this past weekend, and he also raised funds for charity! Joel says “I think helping people is a good thing.” 🥰 This J Positive donation was for Camp Misquah, which is an amazing residential summer camp for kids and adults with developmental disabilities. Joel has been going to there 15 years, and he says “my camp friends are kind of cool.” 😎 The 5K was part of Ottawa Race Weekend, a terrific event held every year, for thousands of runners across all distances. Joel says “I know the race is hard work, but I know it’s good.” 😓🏃🏼‍♂️😀 Camp Misquah is one of several charities that Joel raises money for during the year, as part of his online Art By J Positive business. If you’d like to find out more about Joel’s fundraising efforts, please checkout https://artbyjpositive.com/pages/donations. #RunOttawa2025 #5K #5Krun #Fundraising #DownSyndrome #Inclusion #NeurodivergentArtist #RunForGood

Joel said “My favourite part of the presentation was talking about being positive. And I think I do feel good to be famous.” 🤩 This was part of our presentation last night at the launch of Max Brault’s important new book, “The Race to the Starting Line,” whose aim to build a barrier-free country for people with disabilities. Thank you so much Max for inviting us to speak, and for inspiring us all. 🙏❤️ #Accessability #DisabilityRights #BookLaunch #Inclusion #DisabilityInclusion #RemovingBarriers #DownSyndrome #RaceToTheStartingLine

Joel says “There are two different worlds, a good world and a bad world. Most people live in the good world. I rather just live in like the good world, because I think it’s way better.” ❤️ Joel continues to prove that he is the wisest person in our family. 😇 #TheLuckyFew #DownSyndrome #NeurodivergentVoices #ChooseJoy #LivePositive #InclusionMatters #QOTD #GoodWorld #TikTokInspo

Joel says “I really love you, Mom. I won’t let you down.” 🥰 We are so lucky to have Joel in our lives — and as you can see, he really does lift his mom up (literally and figuratively!). 💪❤️ Joel’s Mom, Karen, says “Joel, you really pick me up.” 🤩 Happy Mother’s Day to Joel’s amazing Mom, and to all the incredible Moms out there! 💐❤️ #MothersDay #LoveYouMom #MotherAndSon #ThenAndNow #Newborn #DownSyndrome #TheLuckyFew #HappinessIsDownSyndrome #PiggyBack #LiveInTheMoment #ThanksMom