'He can do anything': Local high schooler with Down Syndrome has big dreams

Thursday marked World Down Syndrome Day, with this year’s theme being: “Assume that I can, so that maybe I will.”

The Sault’s Matthew Girardi, who has Down Syndrome, certainly embodies that can-do attitude.

The 19-year-old, currently in his last year of high school at St. Mary’s College, has been enjoying a co-op position at the Tim Hortons location on Trunk Road since January, performing cleaning duties and unloading trucks.

“I like working there. I like saying 'good morning' and talking to the customers and the other workers,” Girardi told SooToday in an interview at his home, where he lives with his father Martin, mother Rachel, brother Michael, sister Megan and pet dogs Sadie and Piper.

He also works part-time at the Sault Ste. Marie Gymnastics Club located at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

“I help the little kids and the coaches there. I help them with their warm-ups at their stations,” said Girardi, who wants to support and encourage the next generation.

He definitely has goals.

“After I finish high school I want to be famous on YouTube,” he smiled.

His own YouTube channel — Epic Matthew 66 — shows him performing basketball shots with dance music in the background.

“I do basketball tricks and dancing. I like being on camera,” Girardi said.

“I like all kinds of sports but my favourite is basketball. I just went to my first Raptors game. It was cool but the Raptors lost and the Pistons won,” he said, confident the Raptors will avenge that loss the next time the two teams meet.

“He’ll be graduating from school and we’re looking at Sault College programs for him. He takes tons of pictures and videos and puts them together with music. He’s interested in that,” said Girardi’s mother Rachel.

Girardi also recently began drumming lessons at Case's Music and started downhill skiing last year.

Mother Rachel said he is also known for being a hype man at wedding receptions, encouraging guests to get on the dance floor.

“He’s the main character of this family. He’s always fun and likes spending time with his family and friends. He’s the love of our lives. He’s got the best heart ever,” Rachel said.

“He loves life. He’s doing really well. We’re very proud of him. He tries everything and he can do anything.”

“We are grateful to Tim Hortons and the gym club for providing Matthew the opportunity to work for them. Matthew also worked at an IDA Pharmacy for two years before he moved on to Tim Hortons and the Gymnastics Club. We are grateful to all these employers who gave him the opportunity to work for them,” Rachel said.

The Sault’s Domino’s Pizza locations stepped up to promote the personal growth and development of local people with Down Syndrome for Thursday’s World Down Syndrome Day.

The local Domino’s locations donated five dollars from each of their Dough Raising Special orders to the Sault Ste. Marie Down Syndrome Society.  

“Matthew Girardi is a testament to the incredible things that can happen when we believe in each other’s abilities. Let’s all assume that we can do, and maybe, just like Matthew, we will,” wrote Sheena Smith, Sault Ste. Marie Down Syndrome Society president in a release.