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Proud authors and good friends Jason Kingsley (left) and Mitchel Levitz.

Count Us In
Continues to Inspire

Authors and self-advocates Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz have embarked on a regional tour to celebrate the second printing of their book, Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome. During the last few months, they have read passages and signed copies at WIHD (Westchester Institute for Human Development) and Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Center, where over 200 people lined up to meet them.

Jason and Mitchell also hit the radio waves as guests on The Brian Lehrer Show and signed books at the Mid-Westchester JCC.

Originally published in 1994, Count Us In features candid conversations between Jason, Mitchell and their families about living with a disability, forming friendships and establishing independence. It has been updated to include new chapters that bring a more adult perspective to issues such as sex, marriage and relationships.

The authors greet their fans.

“For 13 years, Count Us In has been the only book written by two young men with Down syndrome which is entirely in their own words,” comments parent and contributor, Emily Kingsley. “It has shattered stereotypes, won several awards and been incorporated into college curriculums. The book is something to be proud of and something we can all relate to.”

Mitchell inspires the crowd.

“Most people want to know why we wrote this book,” adds Jason. “I tell them
it’s to let them know that Mitchell and I, and other people with disabilities, have the same hopes, dreams and interests as they do. We want to be treated like everyone else and be included in the community.”

In fact, Jason, a high
school graduate and
actor, isn't just living in
the community—he's
trying to make it safer.
He and roommates Raymond Frost and
Yaniv Gorodischer
recently petitioned the town of Greenburgh to build sidewalks on their traffic-filled street. With the help of Emily, the men drafted a petition, went door-to-door collecting signatures and then formally presented it to the town board on February 28.

Their actions helped make sidewalk safety a hot-button issue. A followup meeting was held on March 28 to discuss sidewalk policy and Paul Feiner, Greenburgh town supervisor, invited Emily to be a guest on his weekly radio program.

"We use the street every day to go to work. I wanted to make it safer for us. And for everyone else," says Jason.

Jason’s roommates, Raymond Frost and Yaniv Gorodischer show their support.