In this episode of Stories Across the Table, Bridget Cook-Burch and Steve Ramona welcome Wendy Hooton, author, advocate, and mom to a young man she describes as the greatest teacher of her life. Her son Matt was born with Down syndrome in 1990, at a time when very little was known or celebrated about what people with Down syndrome could become, and Wendy has spent the thirty-five years since proving the world wrong about him.

When Matt was born, a hospital visitor suggested she consider giving him up for adoption. Her doctor responded by naming the baby Matthew, which means “gift of God”, and telling Wendy she would find her child to be a gift every single day. Those two reactions lit a fire in her that has never gone out. She left that hospital determined to give her son the fullest life possible, and she has done exactly that.

Today Matt is known as Super Matt in the communities that have followed his story. He loves to dance, he is married to Katy Perry (in his own very certain mind), and he has quietly changed the way thousands of people think about Down syndrome simply by being himself! Wendy shares the humor, the hard days, the book signings, the Vegas coming-of-age birthday trip, and the tears she still cries in the laundry room, because she has never pretended the journey is easy. She just keeps showing up for it.

Her book, Big People Don't Pee in the Park, is as honest and joyful as she is, and Bridget Cook-Burch says she was honored to walk with her along the writing process, watching Wendy blossom.

Pull up a chair for a story about choosing to celebrate instead of compare, and learning to live with as much love and as little filter as Super Matt himself.

BIO:
Wendy is an author, mentor, speaker, and Down syndrome advocate, basically multitasking life like it’s an extreme sport. She is on a mission to help others find strength and purpose in their own journey.

In addition to her memoir, she contributed chapters on confidence, resilience, and grief in Share Your Brilliance and Threads of Gold. When she’s not writing or connecting with others, you’ll find her walking in nature enjoying the beautiful world around us, listening to music, and traveling to new destinations. But most of all she enjoys soaking up life’s joyful moments… especially those that include her husband and son.

LINKS:
Website: wendylhooton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555146315134
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-hooton-1bb072148/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaceowendy/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DownRightFun
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WendyHooton

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