Cheshire CT Resident returns to Times Square New York City to be featured in big screen video presentation.

Sami Suarez to Help Kick Off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Unique Annual Video Presentation 

Sami Suarez will appear in the bright lights of Broadway on Saturday, September 21, as part of the National Down Syndrome Society's (NDSS) annual Times Square Video presentation.  The featured photographs highlight children, teens and adults with Down syndrome working, playing and learning alongside friends and family. These collective images promote the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome, which is the NDSS mission.  

This is Sami’s return to Times Square as she was the inspiration for the Times Square Presentation which brought about the Buddy Walk.  In 1992, when Sami, who has Down syndrome, was 18 months old, her father, Rich Suarez, was the Senior Producer for the Sony JumboTron in Times Square.  He began producing a series of spots to raise awareness and acceptance of people with Down syndrome to run on the JumboTron during Down syndrome awareness month.  

He continued to produce these PSA’s on his own until 1994, when he contacted Emily Perl Kingsley.

Kingsley is an Emmy award winning writer for Sesame Street, the author of a wonderful essay entitled "Welcome to Holland" and a personal friend of Big Bird.  She also has a son, Jason, who has Down syndrome.

Emily Kingsley through her contacts involved NDSS.  Together they produced spots which included children with Down syndrome from all around the country.  The response was overwhelming!  Children and their families from 25 states came to New York City to view the spots on the JumboTron in Times Square. 

As there was so much interest that year, NDSS held an event in Times Square where all the families could gather to watch the video and a wonderful reception followed at Sardi’s for all the families that made the trip.

In 1995, as a result of the success of this event, the NDSS Buddy Walk was born. Again families gathered in Times Square to watch the presentation and then headed up to Central Park for the Buddy Walk.

This year Sami returns to the Square for the event that was created because of her. Now 22 years old, she is pictured with her “Best Buddy” Chloe Nanni at a Spring Fling.  Her Dad couldn’t be more proud and will always view both events as “For Sami Love Daddy” which is how he tagged the spots he produced all those years ago.

The Times Square Video presentation kicks off Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The video presentation will be followed by the 19th Annual Flagship Buddy Walk® in New York City. This year, Buddy Walk® events will be held in more than 250 cities across the country, as well as select international locations. For information about the NDSS National Buddy Walk® Program, visit www.buddywalk.org or call 800-221-4602.

For information about Sami’s Team, visit
http://buddywalk.kintera.org/nyc/teamsami91