Last fall, Chris Nikic, 21, became the first competitor with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon — a 2.4-mile open-water swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run, considered the toughest single-day athletic challenge — which must all be completed in under 17 hours, per Ironman regulations.

As the Orlando Sentinel put it, Chris "has become a symbol of hope not only for parents of children with Down syndrome, but for anyone whose potential has ever been cut short by someone else’s low expectations."

Of course, Chris' feat did not simply happen through his efforts on that particular Nov. 7 day in Panama City, Florida. It was the culmination of years of hard work and persistence. Like many children with Down syndrome, he had early life medical complications, including heart surgery at 5 months, and struggles balancing and eating.

But his biggest challenge, said his dad Nik, was that the outside world set the bar so low for him. “From the time he was born, we were told by everyone that he’d never do anything or amount to anything or be able to accomplish anything [beyond] being able to tie his own shoes," his dad said. "And we believed them for the longest time."

Or as Chris puts it, “Lots of people told me what I couldn’t do. But we don’t tolerate that.” Instead, Chris has developed a motto, "Be 1% better each day," which helps turn the impossible to possible and helps him inspire others to do the same.

Now, in the wake of his record-breaking accomplishment, Chris has been interviewed by The New York Times, USA Today, NBC, ABC, and ESPN. He has a book deal with a release date for October, a shoe deal, a documentary that aired on NBC in January and a new bike sponsor, and a string of requests for corporate speaking engagements.

And, of course, he's still making sure he takes time to get 1% better on the race course as he trains to compete in the Ironman's invitational World Championship in October in Hawaii.

We can't wait to have him as our Keynote Speaker at our 37th Annual Conference!

MDSC’s 37th Annual Conference will once again spotlight innovative research on the horizon as well as timely updates related to Covid-19.

With our theme of "Stronger Together - Creating Innovative Pathways for the Future," our virtual conference will feature LIVE Interactive Workshops, Specialty Workshops, On-Demand Workshops and a Self-Advocate Track! It will include dozens of sessions for people with Down syndrome, their family members, health care professionals and educators, highlighting the latest research findings and timely information from national local experts on a range of topics related to Down syndrome.

See all the presentations below or go here. Registration is just $49.99 per household and will include access to all the presentations that you can view at your convenience through the end of August 2021. See our How It Works page for complete details.

It has become MDSC tradition to unveil our official video on our theme -- featuring your photos -- at our Annual Conference. Send us your "Stronger Together" photos and help bring our theme to life. (Note: photos must be sent by Feb. 22)

Email your hi-resolution photo to strongertogether@mdsc.org. If you want a chance at having your photo featured on Facebook as well, include your loved one's name, age (optional), hometown (optional) and a sentence or two on how you have seen in your own school, neighborhood, family or other community that we are Stronger Together.