12-year-old with Down Syndrome opens Marshfield cupcake shop

MARSHFIELD, Wis.- (WSAW) At 12 years old, John Truel already co-owns the cupcake shop Cupcakes on 8th in Marshfield with his mom.  It opened up in March and he's catching the attention of the community for a positive reason, celebrating his abilities, like making cupcakes. 

So, while John Truel has Down Syndrome, it hasn't stopped him from serving up delicious treats.

\"I want him to run this shop all by himself, come up with his own flavors, his own combinations,\" John's Mom Patricia Truel said.

John Truel wants to learn so he can be the boss. Right now, John Truel loves interacting with the customers at the cash register, opening doors and helping them pick out flavors. His personal favorite is the peanut butter cupcake.

\"His second week working the register he learned on his own that a dozen means 12, and I was like, that's the purpose of this shop is to teach him those little basic things,\" Patricia Truel said.

It has been a learning opportunity for both mother and son.

\"Everyone has abilities, you've just got to provide them with opportunity and the tools to show off their abilities,\" Patricia Truel said.

For John Truel, sometimes that means sometimes having to chores that aren't so fun, like sweeping the floor and doing the dishes. But, at the end of the day, he gets to make his customer's days just a little bit sweeter.

Share this article: