Ten-year-old and her mother gives $1.2 million scholarship to people with Down syndrome

Ten-year-old Ruby’s mom celebrated her child’s 21st chromosome says,  she “rocks” her extra chromosome. Ruby Plachta has Down syndrome.

During Ruby’s birth, her mom was inspired to do something that would help other people born with Down syndrome see their full potential.

“I just felt this need inside to do something for the Down syndrome community,” Plachta told during an interview with her daughter. “I really just wanted the world to see what I saw in her, which was that she was amazing and capable,” she added.

When Ruby turned six Platcha pledged to create a $2,000 scholarship to help someone with Down syndrome go to college.

This year family successfully gave out  11 scholarships and soon created a nonprofit called Ruby’s Rainbow. Over the course of Ruby’s 10 years, they’ve granted $1.2 million in scholarships to people with Down syndrome.

“It’s not only for us about the scholarships, but it’s also about the awareness of showing people just how capable people with Down syndrome are,” the mom from Austin, Texas, said.

Ruby’s Rainbow is currently accepting applications from people with Down syndrome of all ages. Liz and a scholarship committee reviews each application – but her dream is to be able to accept everyone who applies