Gatineau Olympiques forward Mikaël Martel launches the Up’N Down line
A player from the Ligue de hockey junior majeur du Québec (LHJMQ) (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)) has launched his own line of sportswear to raise funds for people with Down Syndrome and, at the same time, raise awareness for this cause.
Mikaël Martel was playing with the Rimouski Océanic at the beginning of the season, while pursuing his college studies in police techniques. As part of one of his courses, he had to give 25 hours of his time as a volunteer or towards community involvement. https://d39b51f8f6080cf24b3edebc44b9d00c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
One thing led to another and the athlete, who will turn 20 on April 10, decided to pair up with a fan of the team, Ely, a 15-year-old with Down Syndrome. From there, a great friendship was born and, in turn, the idea for the clothing line.
“In Ely, I discovered an incredible person, always cheerful and in a good mood. It made me realize that we are blessed and that we must take the time to listen to these exceptional, brilliant, and endearing people,” says the burly 6’2″, 205 lb. man with a kind heart. PHOTO COURTESY
Up’N Down
An idea formed in Mikaël Martel’s head: launch a line of clothing to raise funds for people with Down Syndrome and to make people aware of this cause.
In just a few months, he succeeded in setting up his project, so that on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day, the Up’N Down collection, in reference to Down Syndrome, was born.
Each logo of the line is integrated with a Down Syndrome logo, so that each person who wears a piece from the collection becomes in a way an ambassador of the cause. In addition, up to $5 per item sold is donated to the Regroupement pour la Trisomie 21. In one week, some $1500 had already been raised for the organization.
“The vast majority of us are not aware of this syndrome, to the point where some people look at those with it as if they were strange. My experience with Ely made me realize that a person with Down Syndrome is not so different and that we should be inspired by it,” the hockey player fervently believes.
https://d39b51f8f6080cf24b3edebc44b9d00c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlPHOTO COURTOISIE
Friendship
Even though Mikaël Martel was traded to his hometown club, the Gatineau Olympiques, in mid-January, he doesn’t plan to cut ties with Ely or give up the cause. The two friends try to talk with each other at least once a week via FaceTime
“This project has given me a good life lesson. I want to take it as far as possible. I also intend to get involved in organizations related to the cause when health measures allow it. It’s something really close to my heart,” said the friendly young man.
