Local Residents to be Bright Lights in Times Square
Five area residents will appear in lights in Times Square on Sunday, September 26 as part of the National Down Syndrome SocietyÂ’s video production to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome can be successfully included in community activities, education, and employment.
(PRWEB) September 22, 2004
Five area residents will appear in lights on Broadway on Sunday, September 26 as part of the National Down Syndrome SocietyÂ’s video production to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome can be successfully included in community activities, education and employment.
Photos of Ben Sumner and Michael Whitmore both of Memphis, McKinnon Fratta of Germantown, Morgan Tibbens of Horn Lake, MS and Rachel Mast of Bartlett, all who have Down syndrome, were selected from nearly 2,000 entries in the NDSS nationwide call for photos. Approximately 200 photographs will appear in a video production to be shown on the larger-than-life NBC Astrovision by Panasonic, located in the heart of Times Square. Panasonic has donated 30 minutes of time on the Times Square Astrovision in honor of October, National Down Syndrome Awareness month. The video production, coordinated by NDSS, illustrates children, teens and adults with Down syndrome working, playing, and learning with friends and family.
The Times Square video production kicks off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which includes the 2004 Buddy Walk. This year, walks will be held in more than 200 cities across the country, as well as many international walks. John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Perry Cox in the hit NBC show “Scrubs,” is the 2004 National Buddy Walk Spokesman. Mr. McGinley is both an accomplished actor and the proud father of Max, his seven-year-old son who has Down syndrome. The New York City Buddy Walk will be led by Mr. McGinley and NDSS Goodwill Ambassador Chris Burke, star of the long-running ABC series, “Life Goes On.” For information about National Down Syndrome Awareness Month or the NDSS Buddy Walk, visit www. NDSS. org or call 800-221-4602.
The Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-South will host the 7th Annual Buddy Walk of the Mid-South on Sunday, October 3, 12:30 – 4:30 p. m. at the Memphis Botanic Garden. For more information about participating, go to the website at www. dsamemphis. org or contact the DSAM at (901) 541-5155.
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