'Down syndrome is cool': Burger's daughter inspires foundation's mission

ARLINGTON -- When Jake and Ashlyn Burger found out their unborn daughter was going to be born with Down syndrome, Jake had just one thought.

“I said, ‘Jake, our little girl's gonna have Down syndrome,’ and he said ‘OK, and?’” Ashlyn recalled. “I said, ‘I don't think he heard me properly? Our little girl is gonna have Down syndrome.’ He repeated ‘OK, and?’ That was the beginning of kind of what started it all.”

Months later, the couple’s second child, Penelope, was born on Oct. 25, 2024. Jake’s “OK, and?” wasn’t meant in a dismissive way. Not at all. It was matter-of-fact. It was meant to show that, no matter what, it was just the next step in the process of growing their beautiful family.

“I think a lot of people go through different types of adversities in their life, and for me, I have always perceived adversity as God moving you towards something that is even more important for the greater good,” Jake said. “That's how I took it. I think she's a beautiful blessing that was bestowed upon us. I think that's how all children with all different types of disabilities should be looked at. It's not the easiest path, but life isn't easy. For us, you know, it's more of a fun challenge than anything else.”

On Opening Day 2025, Ashlyn got emotional when she first saw her husband take the field wearing No. 21.

The No. 21, which Jake chose to honor Penelope, has become incredibly special to the Burger family over the last few years. The number is in reference to Down syndrome, known clinically as Trisomy 21, which occurs when a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21.

“For me, this is the first time I can pick a number that's not just close to my heart, but close to a lot of people's hearts,” Jake said at the time. “For me, it's about trying to spread awareness and trying to get the word out about Down syndrome and how people can get support. I'm just really proud of this number and really excited to wear this and represent [not only] my daughter, but also so many people out there.”

Now almost 2 years old, Penelope is healthy as can be, and the Burger family’s contribution to the community goes far beyond a jersey number. The Burger Family Foundation is something that Jake and Ashlyn were thinking about from the moment of Penelope’s diagnosis.

On March 21, 2025 -- World Down Syndrome Day -- the Burgers announced the formation of the Burger Family Foundation, which was created to support families like themselves through direct financial assistance, therapy and community.

“The Foundation does several different things,” Ashlyn explained. “We always provide direct financial assistance to families with children with all disabilities who need it, whether that's a therapy bill, or a medical bill paid for, or a therapeutic program, or a camp, or something along those lines. It’s bridging the gap where insurance doesn't meet.”

But arguably the most expansive arm of the Burger Family Foundation is still in progress: the Lucky Ranch. Part of the vision from the beginning, the Burgers have wanted to create a working ranch where individuals with disabilities can have a safe haven for themselves and their families.

Right now, the Lucky Ranch, which resides outside of Nashville, is just getting started. There are currently chickens on the land, but the full vision includes cattle and goats and the whole nine yards. Ultimately, the family wants a farm-to-table restaurant where everything that’s served will be from the Lucky Ranch while employing adults with disabilities.

“We have our employment program where we employ an adult with Down syndrome here at Mooberry Farms at the farm store, and the Foundation pays her salary,” Ashlyn said. “The Ranch, where we're beginning with poultry chickens that will be tended and cared for by a wonderful staff, and also some adults from local day programs that get to come out and help them out on the pasture. And that's the beginning of a very big ranch that we will continue building. But we’re going to start with the chickens.”

This is just the start for the Burgers, the Lucky Ranch and the foundation as a whole.

This is part of their lives, the part that they’re proudest of as they continue to advocate for Penelope and all individuals with Down syndrome. A stigma still exists around all those with intellectual disabilities. The Burgers hope to continue to work toward making it a normal part of everyday life.

“Down syndrome is cool,” Jake said, quoting the slogan for the Burger Family Foundation. “There's obviously all sorts of stigmas behind children with autism and adults with autism. I think for us, that's why we kind of came up with the ‘Down syndrome is cool’ thing, to try and break that barrier down. These children and these adults with Down syndrome are capable of so much; they shouldn't be looked at as any different.

“Obviously, there's different medical challenges and some therapies that they may need versus a neurotypical person. But just go up and have a conversation with them, treat them like a normal person. I think Down syndrome is one of the coolest things in the world. I'm so happy to be a part of this community and have a daughter that has Down syndrome. I know the sky's the limit for her. She's going to push through any ceiling that anybody puts above her.”