How a Powell mother and son became global influencers for Down syndrome

Iceland has a 100% abortion rate for babies diagnosed with Down syndrome. Australia is at 93% and the U.S. is 68%.

That’s why Houston Vandergriff and his mom, Katie, are on a mission.

Now, it has become a global mission.

Through Houston’s success as a photographer and subsequent attention on social media, the Powell residents have become the Down syndrome community’s face of inclusiveness around the world.

“We did a podcast in London,” Katie said. “We joked and said, ‘Our goal is to travel the world and have fun.’ In reality, what we’re doing is more than that. Everything we’re doing comes back to inclusiveness. We want to show the world the possibilities.”

Houston, 25, got a certificate (2019) and advanced certificate (2020) in photography from the University of Tennessee. Shortly thereafter, Houston and Katie launched his business Downs & Towns, which captured photo images while Houston’s personality allowed him to spread goodwill and awareness.

But that was just the beginning.

An influencer

Keeping up with the trends in photography, Houston became involved with NFTs (non-fungible tokens). In other words, it’s digital artwork that cannot be reproduced.

Houston had his creations on display in NFT exhibitions in Venice, Italy, Los Angeles and New York. He caught someone’s attention because he was invited to a celebration in New York that honored the Top 100 NFT creators that make a difference in the world. Snoop Dogg and Paris Hilton were among those honored, but they didn’t show up at the event.

“This was about building communities to make a difference,” Katie said. “This showed a whole new way to build communities.”

Houston and Katie were invited to be on a panel at an inclusive travel conference in Las Vegas. While there, they were approached by the owner of an Australian travel company, to be the face of its inclusive travel. On a trip to Egypt, he has already ridden a camel, visited King Tut’s tomb and taken a hot air balloon ride.

Houston was a presenter at the conference associated with the event, giving a nod to the Down syndrome community.

Trips to Costa Rica, Peru, Australia and Italy are already on the calendar.

Bouncing back

That’s not to say life has been all fluffy bunnies and rainbows.

Houston has had to navigate some health issues.

A couple years ago, he experienced two strokes. That was followed by an eight-hour brain surgery at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.

“He’s doing great now,” Katie said. “That was the time we realized what it was like having friends from all over the world. We got messages from so many places.”

He bounced back and, when he wasn’t globetrotting, returned to his job at the Lucky Day Resale Shop on Western Avenue.

Houston’s latest adventure was to compete in − and win − the Mr. Tennessee Shining Star Pageant. He went on to win the national competition and has gained another stage for his advocacy.

“We’re trying to spread the word that Down syndrome is really a superpower,” Katie said. “That message is behind everything we do.”

And, down the road, it’s a safe bet that Iceland will be a stop on their itinerary.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee photographer becomes global influencer for Down Syndrome