Show Notes:
It’s not about lowering expectations; it’s about providing the right support and opportunities when hiring someone with Down syndrome so they can thrive.

In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Matthew Schwab, a young man with Down syndrome who’s breaking down barriers in the workplace. During our conversation, we talk about some behind-the-scenes stories about his recent marriage proposal to his long-time girlfriend, and how they’re trying to encourage Big Time Rush to be part of their wedding reception. Matthew’s journey is a testament to the potential and determination of individuals with disabilities.

From his early days volunteering at local organizations to securing paid roles at Chick-fil-A, the government, and currently at Ruckus Pizza, Matthew has faced and overcome numerous challenges. He shares his experiences with honesty and humor, offering valuable insights into the world of disability employment for those considering hiring someone with Down syndrome.

Matthew’s passion for advocacy shines through as he discusses the importance of support systems and breaking down stereotypes. He emphasizes the need for employers to recognize the unique skills and contributions of individuals with Down syndrome.

Parents of children with Down syndrome will find Matthew’s story particularly inspiring. He offers practical advice on preparing for the job search, advocating for their child’s needs, and fostering a positive mindset.

Join us as Matthew shares his inspiring story and encourages listeners to embrace diversity and create inclusive workplaces. See the links below to follow Matthew on social media and to book him as a speaker for your organization!

👉Matthew’s contact information:

•    💻Website: https://matthewschwabspeaks.com/
•    🎥YouTube:  @matthewschwabspeaks7136 
•    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewschwabspeaks
•    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewschwabspeaks/
•    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthewschwabspeaks

Easter Seals: https://www.easterseals.com/

*** Thank you to Gigi’s Playhouse for allowing us to use the video of Matthew’s proposal to Lucia that was posted on their Instagram account on November 8, 2023. To see more of what Gigi’s Playhouse offers to individuals with Down syndrome and their families, contact them!

•    💻Website: https://gigisplayhouse.org/
•    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigisplayhouse
•    🎤`Podcast: https://gigisplayhouse.org/alittlesomethingextra/

🌟Check out the NEW Water Prairie Prayer Journal for Parents! https://amzn.to/3TDBIO5

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Music Used:

“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Episode #110: STOP Limiting Potential! Discover the Benefits of Hiring Someone With Down Syndrome

It’s not about lowering expectations; it’s about providing the right support and opportunities when hiring someone with Down syndrome so they can thrive.

(Recorded June 19, 2024)

Full Transcript of Interview:

Matthew: I believe the future for individuals with Down syndrome is bright because people are finally seeing our potential.

Tonya: Have you ever considered what it takes to hire someone with Down Syndrome? Our guest today is Matthew Schwab, a man who is breaking down barriers and proving that individuals with Down Syndrome can excel in the workplace.

We’ll be talking about Matthew’s work journey and sharing how parents can help their children be better prepared when they’re ready to begin working. Matthew’s proposal that went viral on social media.

Welcome to the Water Prairie Chronicles, a podcast for special needs parents. I’m your host, Tonya Wollum, and I’m glad you’re here.

Today we’re talking with Matthew Schwab. You met Matthew and his mom, Michelle, last season when they took us on a tour of the new Gigi’s Playhouse Raleigh, and he also took the time to explain some of the basics of understanding what Down syndrome is, the medical background, the educational background, some of the needs that they may have, and even some of the social things that he’s doing.

Matthew, welcome back to Water Prairie.

Thank you very much.

So I, I always say this, I’m always excited about my interviews because I try to bring exciting things to you. But I’ve been looking forward to this one because a lot has happened in your life since I saw you last. And I follow you on social media, will, will leave a comment every now and then.

But I’d like for you, if you don’t mind, to share what happened last fall that was like a milestone in your life.

Oh, yes. So, a little bit of background. The thing that I’m about to talk about, I’ve been wanting to do it since I was in, after I graduated high school, and I graduated in 2017, so that’s been Gosh, six years overdue, and which was proposing to my then long term girlfriend, Lucia Romano, and which in, on November 4th of last, last year, I had the opportunity to propose to her.

It was at an annual leadership conference for Gigi’s Playhouse as a network, and luckily they had photographers and media people there to cover the whole. event, and it, and she did not know what was going to happen, and, but I knelt down on one knee and proposed to her. I believe it took a year for the whole process, including asking her parents for the blessing.

In fact, funny thing was that usually when people ask for Blessing to propose or get married is they ask their parents first for the blessings. But for me, I was very audacious. I actually went to her parents first to ask for the blessing and oh God, they’re, they’re confounded. They didn’t know, they knew it was going to happen, but they didn’t know how soon it was going to happen.

Like literally Maria, Lucia’s mom, literally fell out of her seat. And then, a little while later, Maria called my mom, Michelle Schwab, and she’s, and they’re like, hey, did you hear what happened? And it’s like, mom’s like, what happened? And then Maria went on and said, well, your son just freaking asked a blessing to propose to my daughter.

And mom’s like, and I was in the car with her, and mom’s like, she just turned to me and she’s like, “You did what now?”

So, you didn’t tell her when you got home?

I did not get to tell my parents. The only thing I told them was that I’m going to propose to her. So I, so I got their endorsement, but I didn’t ask my parents their blessing.

Right. So did her parents say yes right away?

I mean, they were little hesitant at first because they, they didn’t know how I envisioned it. And, and when I explained to them that, that, that their daughter, Lucia and I have been boyfriend and girlfriend for eight, eight years and that, and I wanted each step of our relationship first to get each to each step of our relationship right.

I said, and, and said. Yeah, I would like to do a long engagement, but not as long as our boyfriend and girlfriend phase, which was eight years, because I would like to get married before I’m 30, because I don’t want to waste 30 years of my life with no wife.

Right.

Anyway, so when I told them that concept, they’re more willing.

Well, and you’ve included both sets of parents. To be part of this stage of it now.

True.

You just didn’t tell them ahead of time. You’re going to be asking for permission.

And that’s why being with them is very important to me because they’re introducing me to the Argentinian culture. I’m already used to with the Spanish culture, but only the Cuban side of it.

But they’re introducing me to the Argentinian part. Like it’s, it’s hard for me to go to Argentina. So Lucia was very inventive to. And bring Argentina to me by teaching me how to cook ARG Argentina foods, eat Argentinian foods, FaceTiming or WhatsApp video calling or rather FaceTime her, her relatives.

Nice, nice. You said you wanted to have a long engagement. But not until you’re 30. So have you thought about when you might want to get married or are you that far yet to talk about?

Oh, yes, uh, maybe spring of 2026.

Okay, okay.

But nothing definitive yet.

Yeah, so two, two, two years from now is a reasonable time. Cause there’s a lot to put into a wedding and.

True. Yeah.

And enjoy all the stages. Well, you are young and enjoy all the phases of it all. Lots of times to dream. So another thing I wanted to ask you about, I saw another interview that you were in where, um, you just, you and, you and Lucia both disclosed that her favorite band was Big Time Rush. Is that correct?

Yes.

And I saw this whole blast trying to get big time rush to play at your reception. Have you heard anything yet?

Um, well. Nothing definitive.

No? Alright.

Yes.

So, so listeners, keep on pushing. We’ll, we’ll see if we can, can get everything in front of them. Cause I’d love for you to have that work out for her. I know it’d be a nice surprise for her and you’d enjoy it too.

She’s been to two concerts, both of them in North Carolina. One in Raleigh and one in Charlotte? But I only been to one, the one in, in, in Raleigh. And that was our first concert as a couple back when she was my girlfriend.

Oh, so lots, lots of milestones for that then. Her favorite and your first concert.

They’re slowly becoming my favorite.

Yeah, I was going to say, you’re going to have to at this point, cause I’m sure you’re gonna be hearing it a lot if you’re not already. Well, today, I, our main thing that I wanted to talk to you about, cause after I met you last time, we talked about your speaking business.

And I, we both agree how important it is that someone is out there advocating for individuals who just happen to have Down syndrome. That’s not all of who they are, it’s just a little piece of it. And you have a platform that you’re able to use to help advance that information. So today I wanted to talk to our parents, but also to, um, to any businesses that may be listening.

You know, we may have listeners who have a small business or a large business that could benefit from what you have to share with us. So, um, so today we’re going to talk a lot about that and some of what Matthew’s learned and, um, what he’s able to, to share with others to give them a better idea about hiring people with not, not only Down syndrome, but I would expect anyone with an intellectual disability would fall in the same category as far as having the right to have a job.

So the first thing I want to ask you is why do you think it’s important for companies to include individuals with Down syndrome in the workforce?

And the main thing is that, that people with disabilities are just like everyone else. We live in society and we deserve every chance that everyone has, and we’re just who we are.

Yeah. It’s, and you’re right because whether you have ADHD, whether you have no identified disability, you may still struggle with the job and need training to come in. Everyone has the right to, to have that value, to have a place to go, to have a sense of value of going out there. Um, it’s what I really like about what you’re doing.

Thanks.

Down syndrome specifically is where your expertise is coming in. Because you, you live this, but you also are associated with Gigi’s Playhouse and with others who also have Down syndrome. So you can speak for a larger group than I can. From your experience or what you’ve heard even, what are some of the misunderstandings that employers might have about hiring someone with Down syndrome?

So that we can’t do the job. In reality, we can do the job. It’s just that employers don’t see our potential and, and we deserve a chance like everyone else. Like, we have our own strengths and weaknesses. It’s just that, just like everyone else, we have to find the right job for us. For our success, because in reality, like everyone else, we can’t do every job.

Right. I mean, there are jobs that I either don’t want to do, because it’s not of interest to me, or physically I can’t do them.

True, yeah. It’s harder for those that have physical disabilities, because for someone with physical disabilities, They can’t work in food service, but it is easier to hire someone with intellectual disabilities in food service.

So do you find that someone who’s coming in with Down syndrome, and the other thing too parents I want you to think about, as in any disability that we’ve talked about, there’s a wide spectrum of abilities with any group of people that you’re going to put together. So Matthew and I are talking, but there may be someone else who has Down syndrome as well, who may have other, um, restrictions on what they can do because their skill set is different.

So what he and I are gonna be comparing here is from his experience. But, but keep in mind, not, no two children are ever gonna be the same. So this is just to give you a broad view of what you can expect and encourage your child to become. We just don’t want you to ever tell ’em they can’t do something.

We want you to be encouraging them and helping them find those, those paths to be able to find a job as they grow into adulthood. With that in mind, how can employers, um, or how can we help employers change that view of hiring someone with Down syndrome?

The main thing, which is educate. Either we educate the employers or the employers educate themselves. And if they don’t want to educate, they can always take the risk and just hiring us right off the bat.

Yeah, and it’s, and you’ve had several different types of jobs.

Um,

I know some, but not all of them. So tell us, how did you, when did you first start working? And what was that first job that you had?

Well, there are two starting points for working.

The first starting point for me was in, when I was in 6th grade in middle school. And that’s when I started volunteering. I served at my middle school’s volleyball team and their, and the high school’s volleyball team and I als also did work at, at the YMCA, the SPCA, and for a long while at the Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh.

But my other starting period was when I first started with my, with my, my paid work, which. was when I was 16 years old, and I worked at Chick fil A. And that was fun. And after Chick fil A, I was hired as a legislative intern and legislative coordinator. For a representative in the North Carolina General Assembly.

I also, in the government, I worked at the G North Carolina GOP, and also served on that same representatives reelection campaign terms, two terms of that as deputy campaign chair, and, and that was a blast. I, I volunteered at 321 Coffee pre payroll period, which was at, at the very start in 2017. And then, then, when they instituted payroll for 321 Coffee in 2019, then I, I started being paid for, for that, and I, I worked there for the first six years of 321 Coffee’s existence.

I worked in a law office briefly, I think for a few months, and now I work at a local company called Ruckus Pizza, Pasta, and Spirits, and you guys should try it out. I work at the Cary location. And I’m a public speaker. My business is Matthew Schwab Speaks.

So at Ruckus, what do you do at Ruckus?

I’m a host.

Okay, so when they come in, you’re greeting and seating them?

Greeting, seating. It’s not just those two things. Is is greeting, sitting, busing tables, pre even pre busing and, and like the servers, we, we can’t, we can’t, we do take orders, but not for

I was gonna ask if you also took orders, if they’re busy.

Not for dine in, but we all, for the host, we only do, put in orders for third party, like, like Grubhub, Uber Eats, door, door, Door Dash, and, and also pick up and slash to go orders and, and, and phone call orders.

So you’re juggling a lot then. So you’re manning the phone calls, the, are you answering the phones too?

Yes.

So you’ve got the phone, you’ve got the people coming in. Are you, are you giving them the food too when they come?

No, that’s, that’s the, I mean, that’s the server’s job. But sometimes when a server is busy or have a, a, a, a, a bigger party. Then occasionally they’ll ask a host to, to carry some of the food, but

Okay.

But it’s not their primary, it’s not their, their sole job.

Did you start at Ruckus as a host or did you start in another position?

Um, I started as a host.

Okay.

And, and the cool thing is that I started with Ruckus as a company three years ago and, and, and in the same location for three years. So. I’m, I’m, I’m kind of newest to, to the company, but, but not new enough.

Well that, that’s interesting there. Did you, now you started with volunteering and you had a lot of the same types of volunteering experiences that my kids had. So, um, so which is, which is nice to hear.

Yeah.

That, um, that the types of jobs that you’ve had opportunities for are the same. And, and I, I, I like that. Um, but have you ever had any difficulty getting a job?

Um, the only difficulty I had was with Chick fil A, and I think for two reasons, the main reason is that I was, um, so my Chick fil A location, they were really hesitant in hiring me because at that time, I was their first person with Down syndrome, and because of that, they were hesitant.

And so, after I filled out my application, I did go in. to my Chick fil A three times just to get an interview. And there’s that part and then also the part of. of meeting with, my, my parents meeting with, with management, which everyone else can, can, can do, which is, they have to encourage their child to get a job first, and then once they get the job, it’s, it’s still hard, harder than a typical person, because a typical person can just get, get right in and, and, and do it with no assistance whatsoever.

But, but for us with disabilities, there’s, has to be some kind of, meetings with management, if there’s any concerns or questions that may arise and, and having a job coaching agency to help them out.

I was going to ask you about that. Did you work with vocational rehab or with another agency?

I, I did the vocational rehab through high school, but after high school I did Easter Seals, UCP.

Okay. So did you have a job coach through them?

Yeah.

Okay. The, um, I know I, I work with d with different individuals who have job coaches that are coming from each of those organizations.

And I think with vocational rehab, until you get your first job, they can help you. But once you get that first job, I don’t know if they are, because that’s their goal is to get you into the workforce. But then I think that’s, that’s where the other.

So the goal, at least for Easter Seals UCP, United Cerebral Palsy, which is the agency that I worked with when I started with Chick-fil-A, is that they can help with any phase of the work. Workforce. I was able get the job myself with help from my mom, but Easter Seals UCP came in when I got the job. They just helped me keep and maintain that job.

You’ve given some parents some tips already, but I was going to ask you too, are there any specific tips that you can give for parents to know how to advocate for their children when they’re searching for a job or going through the interview process?

So the parents can always help with encouragement and help with role playing because I’m not sure how it works for other disabilities, but for Down syndrome people, people with Down syndrome, they’re, I think, usually visual learners, so they do stuff like role playing or interviews. And even help with the application process.

Yeah, I was going to say, both my kids are in college right now, all of you know that. But we do the same thing at home. It’s, you know, we talk through what types of questions might be asked. If I go in for a job interview, I want to practice it first. I don’t want to just go in and not even think about it.

So, so it does, it’s, it’s common sense, but parents don’t always think, think about that, that, that they can’t, they don’t have to just say, you know, well, it’s, it’s, it’s too hard for my child. They, they can’t do this. They can come in and help them practice and, and if you’re not sure how to do that, I’m sure there’s lots of Google videos out there to show you how to,

yes,

but I like, so it’s Easter Seals.

UCP, which stands for United Cerebral Palsy.

But you don’t have cerebral palsy.

It’s just the name of the agency. They serve anyone with any kind of disability.

Okay, that’s good to know. We’ll look for that link and put that in the show notes for this one too. So parents, if you’re looking for that, if you’re getting ready for this stage, check them out and we’ll see if we can get them on the podcast too.

To tell what they do, because I think it’d be nice to have a job coach on some time. Well, I am going to move on to our advice section of the interview. This season, I’m giving all of my guests questions, not questions, but statements that I start saying, and then they repeat it, and they finish it with a way to give advice to our listeners.

Okay.

And I think I had four that I gave to you. So the first one is the most misunderstood idea about people with Down syndrome working is

the most misunderstood idea about people with Down syndrome. Working is that we can’t do it

and um, we’ve already go back and listen again if you missed that part because we’ve already addressed why that’s not true.

Right.

Alright, the second one. Companies that include people with Down syndrome will discover that.

Companies that include people with Down syndrome will discover that we can do it.

I don’t, I don’t know if you, if I told you about this before or not. I had done an interview with um, Dr. Adams. And we talked about he.

He works with companies and teaches them the benefits of hiring someone with disabilities, what that benefit is to their company. And, um, and parents, if you miss that, I’ll, I’ll link this one here as well. But the, one of the benefits that he pointed out is the number of absences is lower because Someone with a disability typically takes their job more seriously and they appreciate having that job.

And so it’s a higher attendance time, but also they’re more thorough in doing the job. So it’s done right. And so there’s less mistakes that are happening. And it’s funny because I think sometimes the misconception is maybe more mistakes would happen or, and that’s, it’s, it’s the opposite of that. And, um, so I, I appreciated him sharing that.

And, um, so it’s, it’s fun that we’ve been able to see different. Different levels of people that are advocating for work between all of you. We’re, we’re going to, to, to change this around I think.

Of course.

Alright so the third one, one thing every parent of a child with Down syndrome can do to prepare them for work is…

One thing that every parent of a child with Down syndrome can do to prepare them for the workforce is hold them accountable.

Oh, that’s, that’s a good one. That’s a good one. Cause as you say, you, you got the job yourself. But then, what if you didn’t follow up?

True.

Then, why would someone else hire you next?

Good point.

So, keeping in there. And sometimes it’s going to mean helping with transportation, helping to plan their schedule around that transportation.

I have a child who can’t drive, so when she’s working we have to think of those things. And, um, and it makes it a little bit harder, but she’s able to do it.

Yeah.

Um, okay. Number four. I believe the future for individuals with Down syndrome is bright because

I believe the future for individuals with Down syndrome is bright because people are finally seeing our potential.

Perfect. Perfect. I like that. All right. So we’ve mentioned your business a couple of times. Matthew Schwab Speaks is the name of your business, right? He’s sporting his shirt here. I love, I love that, that, that graphic on there. Um, tell me about it. How did you get started?

Oh, so it’s called Matthew Schwab Speaks.

So there’s a little bit of a background to it. So when I was in seventh grade, Grade, when I was in first grade, my mom had me repeat first grade once, and she told me that I had Down syndrome. At that time, I did not know what it was. So, and then, seventh grade, I did the science class presentation for science.

slash about Down syndrome, then that’s when I knew more about Down syndrome, but it wasn’t until freshman year of high school when I knew the full extent of my diagnosis and fell to the same narrative my parents had in 1997, which was when I was born, and which wasn’t good, so I rose up as like, you know, I’m going to make my own narrative.

So, and part of that was my public speaking business. My first public speaking business was in 2014, World Down Syndrome Day at North Carolina Governor’s Mansion. My mom saw that, that I can do public speaking. And mom pitched, in 2018, my mom pitched the idea of doing public speaking. But not as a hobby, but as a, a, uh, Business professionally.

And I went on board with her. So it took several months for us to get everything up and running the, the website, the business cards, everything, my business officially started in October of 2019, right before my TED talk. And because of this, because I, I first started my business at a Buddy Walk for The Triangle Down Syndrome Network, which was what it was called back then, but now it’s called, North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance, and then it just grew organically.

First, I spoke to, like, schools, like, like, mainly elementary schools, both in Wake County public schools. And Durham County Public Schools. And, and I started singing repeats. Like, one school, I believe, I, for like three years I, I spoke in there once every, every year. And, and that kind of stuff. And, and I gained enough traction that, that, And it was pro bono, just free, I just to get myself out there and once I had enough traction there, then local Down syndrome associations in the state saw what I was doing with schools and they wanted to hire me.

So I did that and still doing, and, but when I did my TED Talk, I was starting to generate National inquiries to speak, but, but it was poor timing because COVID 19 happened and it slowed down my business a lot and I wasn’t able to do national engagements. The only national engagements I did were virtual, were Coca Cola and U.

S. Customs and Border Protection and I started getting national inquiries to speak more, like, about, I think, two years ago.

Yeah, so about the time I met you, it was starting to pick up a little bit.

Yeah.

It seemed like at that point. So, um, so since then, I’ve seen you spoke at the National Down Syndrome. Did you speak there?

Yes.

So that was just recently, wasn’t it?

Last year.

Last year. Okay.

Yeah.

Um, and then you’ve been at some different conferences too. Are you promoting your business when you go to the conference or are you speaking at those conferences?

Um, so I spoken at a couple, but mainly as an exhibitor booth.

The main component of my business is the public speaking business, the public speaking aspect and exhibitor booths. But I have t shirts like these and INCLUDE shirts, INCLUDE shirts on my website, but they’re not the main component.

Okay. So when you’re, when you’re doing the, the vendor booth, are you promoting the business then too?

Yes.

Yeah. Um, have you started getting some, some new clients through that?

Yes. Um, like within a total of two years of speaking nationally, I’ve spoken to, About a dozen states.

Wow.

Yeah.

Wow. That’s exciting. So are you flying? You’re driving? Depending on where it is?

Yes. And like, I’m getting paid for those engagements.

And when you’re traveling, do you take someone with you?

Yes.

Okay.

It’s, it’s, so we, it’s a, a, basically a, a, a family team. My, my, my dad, Robert Schwab, he’s in charge of sales, both from the speaking engagements and the t shirts, and he’s in charge of the, the website, as, as well, and my mom, Michelle Schwab, she’s the, the business manager, getting things, getting things going, and I have one other person who’s in charge of social media, as well.

Well, and it started off with my youngest brother, Will. He was in charge of the, the earliest, from the steps of social media.

Right.

As well.

But, and, and to do anything, I’ve learned this with the podcast. It takes, I’m most of it, I’m doing solo still, but it does help if you can have a team helping you with it, because there’s a lot, and especially with travel arrangements and everything else.

Yes. So when I fly nationally, it, it, it’s usually. Either my mom, Michelle Schwab, the business manager, or my father, Robert Schwab.

Yeah. So the, um, and, and that’s, that’s something our parents who are listening. Understand that, that it’s, that families come together. And, um, and I think that’s, that’s part of the beauty of having a family that’s supportive, that, that you have that together.

Um, so you speak to schools, you speak to organizations, you speak to businesses, pretty much anyone who would like to bring you in to explain.

Anyone, even. DEI companies as well.

Well, and, and that’s huge right now. So, uh, it’s, um, so I’m glad you’re getting out there.

And, and one of the unique, um, um, places that I got to speak was New Orleans, which was fun because prior to my business, I’d never been to New Orleans before.

And, and, and it, it was at, for a company which is called Dimension Hospitality. And, and which Dimension Hospitality overseas like, like multiple hotel brands all across the country and they have an annual leadership conference. The one I went to had, I think, over 250 general managers from different brands of hotels and they oversee stuff like.

Like Marriott, Hampton, Sheraton, and other brands as well. And I spoke there and it was a blast speaking there, but it was also a blast exploring a new state.

Oh yeah, especially in New Orleans too. Alright, so if anyone listening wants to book you as a speaker, what is your website? That’s probably the best place to get in touch with you.

So if you want to book me for speaking engagements or any exhibitor booth. Um, please go to my website, Matthew Schwab Speaks, and there’s a part on that, on the website where you can contact, where you can put your, your name, email, and the first bit of, of details in, in, in there, and then, and, and just submit that, and, and, and I will go in, and one of us on the Matthew Schwab Speaks team will respond within a business day to work out the rest of the details.

So it’s MatthewSchwabSpeaks.com.

Yes.

Okay. We’ll put, we’ll put the link in the show notes for that too. Where can they find you on social media?

Um, so I, I’m on Facebook, you can look me up as Matthew Schwab. I have two on there, Matthew Schwab, my business page, Matthew Schwab speaks.

On Instagram, um, on Facebook and, and also on Instagram. Matthew Schwab speaks no ca no caps, no, no, no spacing. And, and, and LinkedIn. Matthew Schwab Speaks.

Okay.

And also YouTube as Matthew Schwab speaks.

Right. Because, because I know you have YouTube and we’ll link, um, you can go to his, his YouTube channel.

We’ll put that on there. But we’ll also link his. Um, TED talk as well. Cause I think they can see where you get started from and then where you are today. Um, well, Matthew, thank you for sharing all this with us. I, I, I learn every time I talk to you, I’m always excited to see how much you’re opening doors for other people.

And, um, and we’re looking forward to seeing this next couple of years as you move toward the marriage date, how, how things are progressing there and Big Time Rush. Let’s get them in here. We want them to, to, to come to the reception.

Thank you, Matthew.

You’re very welcome.

Matthew’s Marriage Proposal segment:

• Lucia: Oh my God.
• Matthew: It is really near and dear to my heart. You’re beautiful, kind, friendly. You always make me laugh. You always make me a better self. And, I’m not just saying that. I want to continue this journey with you. Even though it may take us longer to achieve our dreams. But, Lucia Maria Romano. Will you do me the greatest honor of marrying me?
• Lucia: Oh! It’s a yes, baby! It’s definitely a yes!

Tonya: Thanks for joining me today. I hope you learned how valuable individuals with Down syndrome are as part of the workforce and will help find ways to provide more work opportunities for them. In the next episode, I’ll be chatting with David and Jackson Hughens, the creators of the upcoming film, Made with Love, the movie.

Be sure to join us and learn how this film can change the way we perceive and appreciate individuals with Down syndrome. It’s a great story you don’t want to miss. I’ll see you next time.