About Us – Making Chromosomes Count

Making Chromosomes Count

Making Chromosomes Count is made up of an eclectic team of global volunteers. The team share a passion for raising awareness, amplifying the diverse range of voices within the community and offer a platform to any individual and organisation that seeks to share a story, highlight an issue or raise a campaign about any aspect of living with Down syndrome.

“Making Chromosomes Count will support, educate and advertise important messages to the wider community whilst meeting individual needs by co-promoting from the heart of the Down syndrome community,” says Stacey Byrne, Founder.

To showcase to the world the fascinating kaleidoscope that is Down syndrome, as well as its community.

Who we are

Stacey Byrne

Founder and Trustee

Stacey is the driving force behind Making Chromosomes Count. Wife and mother to four children. One of which has Down syndrome and one with Autism. Stacey and her son Evan were one of the 50mums|50 Kids video which went viral. She is the founder of Wouldn’t Change A Thing charity and Founder of Making Chromosomes Count.. Since 2013 she has been involved in numerous positive awareness campaigns and projects. Stacey’s personal mission is to raise awareness of Down Syndrome through society.

Sandy Nasonte

Founder and Trustee

Sandy is the creative force behind Making Chromosomes Count. A graduate of Ridgewood School of Art and Design and the School of the Museum of Fine Art, Sandy decided to use her skills in design to help members of the Down Syndrome community to get their voices heard in magazine format. Sandy’s goal is to enable the community to share their lives with the world.

Denise Humberstone

Trustee and Editor in Chief

Denise is a wife and mother to 3 children, one of which with Down syndrome and one with Asperger’s. Having lived in numerous countries across different continents (Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, France, China and currently the UK), she has experienced Down syndrome through various cultures, ethnic backgrounds and creeds which have all contributed in shaping her unique perspective and vision of the condition. She gave an impassioned speech as a guest speaker at the United Nations in Geneva. One of her key areas of interest is to challenge and update the mainstream framing of Down syndrome.

MCC Team

Our great friends that help us pull it all together

Rachel Mewes

Rachel is mother to Betsy, who has Down Syndrome. Rachel’s background is in teaching, support and care of people with learning disabilities and she seeks to use her experience to advocate for people with Down Syndrome in every arena. By becoming involved with Making Chromosomes Count, Rachel aims to raise the voices of people who need to be heard and tackle issues relevant to equality of human rights for all. (Photos by Simon Greener and Martin Bishop)

Denise Humberstone

Denise is a mother of 3 and an advocate for people with disabilities in general and Down Syndrome in particular, as she has a 21 year old daughter with the condition. She has spoken at the United Nations in Geneva. Having lived around the world, Denise has a broad experience of life with Down Syndrome in a range of countries. She sees Making Chromosomes Count as an ideal platform and opportunity to bring to the fore and share the incredible realities of Down Syndrome in the 21st Century.

Sarah Mayes

Sarah is Mum to Tilly and Izzy. Izzy is two years old, has Down Syndrome and is an Ambassador for Wouldn’t Change A Thing.. Sarah has been an active member of Wouldn’t Change A Thing and the family have featured in several projects. Sarah joined Making Chromosomes Count in order to spread awareness of Down Syndrome. Izzy has some complex medical needs and Sarah is passionate that a rounded view of Down Syndrome should be made available to new or future parents, as well as medical professionals.

Jemma Baker

Jemma is a proud Auntie to a little boy named Evan, who has Down Syndrome. She became involved with running Making Chromosomes Count after yearning to be more active with the Down Syndrome community. She aims to share the reality of the positive and inspirational individuals from within the community and make sure that everyone’s voice matters.

Julie Helen Williams

Julie is mother to Evan, who has Down Syndrome and two older daughters. Julie was proud to be Mum number 50 in the original Wouldn’t Change A Thing video and is currently Management Admin in the successful support group that followed. Now part of the team at Making Chromosomes Count, Julie aims to continue spreading awareness about the reality of life with Down Syndrome.

Claire-May Minett

Claire-May, 41, Independent woman, Self advocate for the International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association. Passionate about spreading awareness for Mosaic. Freelance Film Maker/Editor producing documentary based shorts. Love Stephen King and playing Ukulele.