My name is Garrett, and I have Down syndrome. My whole life, people have treated me like I was weird or different. But I’m not.

Growing up, I hated my Down syndrome. I didn’t even want to be called Garrett, because I knew Garrett had Down syndrome and I didn’t want to think about that. I tried to be included in sports like baseball and basketball. But it wasn’t until I found Mixed Martial Arts fighting, or MMA, that I found a place where I belonged.

I have trained for years to compete in MMA, but now the Florida State Boxing Commission won’t let me because I have Down syndrome. I know I deserve a chance to compete just like everyone else. Please sign my petition to help me with my dream.

In 2010, my dad asked my brothers and me if any of us wanted to try MMA with him. I was the only one who said yes. For the first time in my life, I found something that was easy for me. I picked up on the moves just as fast as everyone else. I worked hard to train for MMA. Before I started to train for MMA I was 175lbs and out of shape — now I’m 140lbs and a rock solid muscle guy!

When I went into the ring for my first fight, my mom was scared. She wanted me to quit after she saw me get punched. But I took that punch as a man. At the end of the fight when they raised my hand, I felt proud of myself. All the crowd cheered for me.

The Florida State Boxing Commission wants to define me by my Down syndrome, so I can never fight again. But Down syndrome doesn’t change who I am. I ignore it. I will not ever back down from a fight. I will keep going. Fighting has changed me, and I’m never going back.

Please sign my petition asking the Florida State Boxing Commission to give me a fair chance to compete.

Thank you for supporting my dream.

Garrett Holeve
Cooper City, Florida