We strive to ensure that every child and adult is empowered to live with joy and purpose in a society where differences are celebrated, beauty is found in diversity, and every life has meaning.
Who We Are
I am Ebbe Bassey-Manczuk. I am a daughter, a wife, and a survivor of Lupus nephritis, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum psychosis. Above all, I am Anoushka’s mother.
Anoushka’s Helping Hand is the legacy I am building for my beautiful girl. From the moment she entered this world, she has defied expectations. Despite the way some doctors responded to her birth, and despite what the internet might suggest about people with her genetic condition, she is the light that brightens our world. She is joy. She is resilience. She is strength. She is love. She is fun. She is curious. She is clever. She is adventurous. She is smart. She is delightfully mischievous.
Anoushka’s Helping Hand (501c3 pending) was born from my desire to show the world the immeasurable joy and boundless love that individuals with Down syndrome bring not just to their families, but to the world. Our mission is to empower these extraordinary individuals, helping them live boldly, dream in vibrant colors, thrive and achieve everything their hearts desire.
Our Mission
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To empower, promote and celebrate the achievements of individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
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To support individuals with Down syndrome from low-income families by offering financial assistance for special advocates, special education attorneys, and self-advocacy services.
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To offer scholarships to individuals with Down syndrome from low-income families for post-secondary training programs, college, and sleep-away camps across the United States.
OUR CORE VALUES
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We value community involvement that fosters open, respectful, and productive discussions, providing opportunities for growth in understanding and acceptance. We do not believe in limiting individuals with Down syndromeand expect others to do the same by treating them with compassion, dignity, respect, grace, fairness, and kindness.
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We believe that a good name is more valuable than silver or gold. With this in mind, we commit to operating ourorganization responsibly and transparently. We pledge to becareful stewards of the investments entrusted to us and to uphold the trust of our community, donors, scholarship recipients, and volunteers.
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We believe that self-advocacy and education are fundamental
human rights. We do not believe that financial limitations should restrict access to either.
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We support the involvement of the community and familymembers in meeting the needs of individuals with Downsyndrome. At the same time, we are strong advocates for therights of individuals with Down syndrome to make their own choices regarding their personal lives.
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We believe in inspiring individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the broader community to focus on the “possible” within the word impossible.
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We believe that inclusion creates a more vibrant, warm, engaging, and compassionate world.
