Dear Armada Family,

You may have noticed that we have a special team member on deck—Leighton—who has Down syndrome. Some children may already be familiar with kids who have differences, while for others, this may be a new experience. At Armada, we believe in celebrating all abilities and teaching kindness and inclusion. With the help of Leighton’s family, we’d like to share a bit more about him and what Down syndrome means.

What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is something a person is born with. It means they have an extra chromosome in their body. Chromosomes are tiny parts inside us that help decide how we look and how we grow. This extra chromosome makes people with Down syndrome learn and grow a little differently. They might look a little different and sometimes need more time to learn things—but they can do all the same things as others, just at their own pace!

In many ways, Leighton is just like any other swim kid. He loves swimming, tacos, queso, and dancing! He understands what others say, but he may find it harder to speak clearly. That’s why he often uses American Sign Language (ASL) to share his thoughts. You might even see him teaching others a few signs!

To help make our team an even more welcoming and inclusive place, we encourage you to talk with your children about how everyone learns and grows in their own way. Some kids talk with their hands, some need a little more time, and all of that is okay.

If your child has questions, that's great! Questions help us learn. Leighton's parents—Debbie and Derek—and his Nanny, Alexandra, are always happy to chat or help your child better understand and connect.

Thank you for being part of a team that values kindness, learning, and inclusion.

With appreciation,
The Wells Branch Armada

Coaches & Executive Board