In My Own Words: People With Down Syndrome is a blog dedicated to sharing the stories, reflections, and perspectives of people with Down syndrome, as expressed in interviews.
When we first met John Cronin and his dad, Mark, at the kick-off of the NDSS Buddy Walk in Times Square (and saw John’s picture on the big screen), we knew about John’s Crazy Socks, but didn’t know all the ways they’ve been using fun socks to build bridges.
Last March, they met with Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NYS) and Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY3) to announce their plans to give President Biden and every member of Congress a pair of your Unity Socks, to celebrate unity in purpose and belief in the ideal of the United States of America.
They’ve also met with Nancy Pelosi, who gave a pair of their socks to former President George H.W. Bush. Wowed by all their grand plans, Sam still had to ask John, ‘Which are YOUR favorite socks?’”
John’s response? “My Down syndrome superhero socks. I drew the picture. I am a superhero sock man.”
If you get a chance to sit down with John and Mark, you’ll understand better the superhero part. From the beginning, the company pledged not only to hire people with differing abilities, but to give 5 percent back to Special Olympics—to the tune of over $100,000 today!
Sam’s next question? We love that you give back to Special Olympics! Tell us more about your involvement. “I am a member of the Leadership Council for New York Special Olympics. I go to the athlete leadership conference and to the state games and meets. If you win, you might win an award. No matter what place you are in, you can be in first, second, or third, I always look everyone in the eyes, and I shake their hands, and I say good game, good job, congratulations, because that’s what matters. Sportsmanship is very important to Special Olympics, and when you have that you know you are a leader and that you make a difference, and I feel really good about it. Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
What are your dreams for the future? “I dream about socks. I really want to do more speaking engagements, more advocacy, and create more jobs, and I hire people with differing abilities. Also, I want to get my own place.”
What do you love about having your own business? “I really like doing videos. I like working with my colleague, Kristie. I do a lot of videos, and sometimes I sign socks, I like to do I like speaking engagements, home deliveries, podcasts, and interviews. I help with gift wrapping. When customers order socks, and they order gift wrapping, my colleagues and I wrap in gift boxes and gift bags. I make sure the order is right.”
Is there anything that you don’t like about having your own business? “I don’t like finance—I don’t want to worry about finance.” Mark elaborates that in 2018, they had five weeks in a row where they didn’t get a day off. In one day, for instance, they were on Capitol Hill in the morning, gave an award to Senator Chuck Schumer at noon, and then spoke at a fundraising event for a social service agency. That day in the cab, John turned to his dad and said, “I think this is too much—all the planes and trains. It’s just too much.” Mark was worried that maybe they should cut back, but when he questioned John further, he found out that he was primarily concerned that they were spending too much money. Once Mark explained that others covered most of their expenses, John said, “We should do more of this.”
It sounds like you like to travel? “Every time I go somewhere, I say I want to live there.” (It doesn’t matter where, says Mark—it could be Utica NY, Omaha, Wausau, WI.)
Outside of work, what else is important about you? “Outside of work, I am a special Olympics athlete—I do basketball, track and field, soccer, and snowshoe. I love to sing and dance with my friends.” (Dad says, “Every day at 4 p.m., if John doesn’t have something else, he specifically has to do, he goes outside and dances and sings.) My favorite tv show is 'Friends.’ I have Friends pajamas, pillows, blankets, socks, hats, and mugs. “And I’m getting the orange couch.”
Who are some of the other famous people you’ve gotten to meet? “I met Kevin James, he’s a movie star and he was doing standup comedy and I have been friends with him. I told him about my burp snart (He did it in a movie.), so I told him, ‘Watch I can do it too!’”
When we saw you in Times Square, you mentioned you were thinking about franchises? “We have our planning day for next year on Thursday,” says John, and Mark adds they hope to enroll the first people by next October, and to give 1,000 people a business over the next five years!”
Do you have any advice for other people who want to start a business? “Follow your heart, follow your dreams, work hard, and show what you can do.”
To learn more about John and Mark, you can watch their Tedx talk on differing abilities here:
