MIDLOTHIAN, IL — At not even 2 years old, Charleigh Anne Burnal can already charm a room.
The Midlothian toddler captivates all those around her, mother Heather Burnal said, brightening days and just exuding joy.
"There's so much dark and gloom in this world," Bernal said, "I just want to share my daughter so everybody can feel how I feel every day."
Bernal is thrilled that more people will soon get a glimpse of her "sassy, funny" little girl. Charleigh, who was born with Down syndrome, has been chosen as one of roughly 500 others with special needs to be included in a slideshow compiled by the National Down Syndrome Society. The gallery will play across two Jumbo-trons Sept. 12 in New York City.
More than 2,700 entries were submitted for a spot in the hour-long display, which features 500 children, teens and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states and 12 countries. These collective images highlight individuals with Down syndrome in the most visible way—on two screens in the heart of Times Square.
"Charleigh is an absolute ray of sunshine who has a gift for making everyone she meets have a better day," Bernal said in a release. "As her mom and dad, we are incredibly proud to see our little Midlothian girl represented on one of the biggest stages in the world and helping show others the beauty, joy, and limitless potential of people with Down syndrome."
The video presentation kicks off the New York City Buddy Walk, an event started in 1995 to celebrate Down syndrome awareness. New York's Buddy Walk is the flagship Buddy Walk, with more than 150 Buddy Walk events held in communities across the country and select international locations.
Bernal said it's no surprise her daughter was chosen for this spotlight and is blasting through barriers. Bernal underwent seven rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive her. She and husband Alex learned through prenatal testing that their daughter had a high probability of having Down syndrome. She then arrived five weeks early.
"Throughout my pregnancy, they told me what Charleigh wouldn't be able to do," she said. "I spent so much of my pregnancy heartbroken."
But Charleigh must have missed the memo that she could be limited in some ways.
"Since the day she was born, this kid has knocked every milestone out of the park," Bernal said. "The joy and absolute love when you meet her. She brightens every single person she comes in contact with.
"She's got a gift."
Bernal first noticed Charleigh's love for the spotlight when she appeared as a model in a Chicago-area fashion show. Organized by the National Association for Down Syndrome, the show is held annually to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and highlight the unique stories and beauty of every model, the organization said. This year's "The Lucky Few" show is set for Sunday, Oct. 4 in Glen Ellyn. You can buy event tickets or support the auction via the NADS BiddingForGood Page.
"Last year, Charleigh was the youngest person in their fashion show," Bernal said. "The oldest was 74.
"Once I saw her in a fashion show, I thought, 'what more can I do?!'"
Charleigh's photo will be shown on two Jumbotron screens thanks to the support of Clear Channel Outdoor. The two screens are above Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square. The presentation will be livestreamed on the National Down Syndrome Society Facebook page from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Eastern on Sept. 12.
Charleigh will be featured in the show pictured in a red cap and gown, "reminding us that her future is bright, her possibilities are endless, and the best is yet to come," the organization said in a press release.
At home, Bernal said Charleigh is a loved little sister to Melanie and inseparable from Jonathan, who the couple will soon adopt after serving as guardians.
"I have noticed that since he's come, she's been a lot more vocal," Bernal said. "He's helping her grow."
Everyone could use a little Charleigh in their lives, Bernal said.
"She is just a ray of sunshine," she said. "She is sassy, she's funny. She's just so smart—I love to watch her. She's very hands-on. She troubleshoots; she analyzes stuff. She gets upset for a second, then she just figures something out.
"Just watching her, is just amazing. There's no limits."
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