When parents find out a child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, they should stop listening to people telling them to lower expectations.

Just ask Abigail Adams, a disability rights advocate, athlete, model and motivational speaker who was at the New Hampshire Down Syndrome Association’s Buddy Walk on Sunday.

“When I was born the experts told my parents because I have Down syndrome it would not be possible for me to do many things,” she told the crowd outside the State House. “But what those experts didn’t know is, I don’t believe in excuses.”

Known on social media as Abigail “The Advocate” Adams, the 23-year-old has been rewriting the script on what parents should expect from their children.

She became the first woman with Down syndrome to complete a sprint triathlon, swimming 440 yards, bicycling 10.2 miles, and running three miles. She didn’t stop there. She completed 14 more and has her eyes set on completing an Ironman triathlon. She and other athletes were recently featured on a segment of HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

“If I listened to the experts, I would not be the person I am today and I would never have overcome so many obstacles,” Adams said. “But today I can swim 2,000 yards, bike 20 miles and run six miles.”

Amanda Boisvert came to Sunday’s event with her son, Myles. She said it was a day to celebrate and include Myles and all the other beautiful children there.

“Myles is my first born and only son. He is the light of my life,” she said. “He completes our family and has really just united us and brought us really close together.”

The New Hampshire Down Syndrome Association is a volunteer group that strives to help anyone with Down syndrome live to their fullest potential. It provides funding and grants to support families in the Granite State. Sunday’s walk surpassed its $30,000 goal and raised $43,874.

Boisvert brought a donation so the organization can keep helping families and sponsoring uplifting events.

“It really just means inclusivity in the whole community, just the ability for everyone to see that we are all the same and we all can reach for the stars,” she said.

When Adams, who lives in Florida, talks to crowds, she hopes people who hear her take away three key lessons: Reach high, be confident and help others.

That blend of goal setting, believing in herself and giving back have made all the difference in her life and can be applied over and over again.

“The point is, yes, everything is harder to learn, but I can learn!” she said. “Yes, I have a disability but I also have abilities! Yes, I have disadvantages, but I can overcome them!”

Adams was joined Sunday by her father, Steve, who is amazed at all the fun experiences his daughter has had and continues to have.

“Our goal is to inspire people, especially the families of people who may be afraid that when they got a diagnosis that their kids lives are not going to be full and happy,” Steve Adams said. “Abigail is living proof that that’s possible.”

She sure is.

“To be truly successful and truly happy, you need to continue to reach your full potential every day,” she said.

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