Independent person

FILE PHOTO Connor Gifford Connor Gifford describes his living with Down Syndrome as a gift. The 27- year-old island resident, who co-wrote the book, "America according to Connor Gifford," was discovered by the rest of the country this past year.

In March, Gifford was welcomed to Cooperstown, New York, as Springbrook's Citizen of the Year and the town rolled out the red carpet for the young man. Springbrook is a nonprofi t organization that serves over 550 people with developmental disabilities.

Gifford was given a private tour of the Baseball Hall of Fame and the museums owned by the New York State Historical Association.

Part-time island resident, Thomas Maggs, who sits on the foundation board for Springbrook, wanted to honor Gifford after meeting the young man in the summer of 2008.

"Connor is someone who has taken a disability and made it a gift," said Maggs.

"I read his book and knew that Connor had to be our Citizen of the Year," said Maggs.

In addition to writing, Gifford has worked as a host at the Atlantic Café and as a docent at the Nantucket Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum, and he serves on the board of directors for the S.T.A.R. (Sports and Therapeutic Accessible Recreation) program, where he is also in charge of public relations. During the summer, Gifford volunteers at the Hospital Thrift Shop.

"I am blessed," said Gifford. "I am a Down Syndrome advocate. I was born with a rare form of Down Syndrome. I believe it is a gift. I am trying to fit in with the normal crowd. It's fun being who I am. I am happy." I