A SOLIHULL girl is set to star on billboard in New York’s Time Square to raise awareness of Down’s Syndrome.
A picture of Arabella Adler will be broadcast at the world-famous plaza on September 6 as part of the National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) campaign.
It was chosen to feature in a one-hour video of 500+ photographs includes children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states of America and 11 countries.
These collective images highlight individuals with Down syndrome in the most visible way – on two screens in the city and livestreamed across the NDSS’ social media.
The six-year-old will be heading to The Big Apple with her family to see the portrait as it lights up Times Square.
They will also join the day of celebration where there will be a buddy walk which will children, adults and families go through the city to Central Park where they will have a picnic and celebrate.
Proud mum Ann-Marie said: “I am so chuffed and excited.
“To have her face up in Time Square is just amazing. It is a beautiful photo.
“The world we are living in has changed and we are more open and accepting to disability and race – but we have got a long way to go.”
Although this is the first time Arabella’s image will appear on a Jumbotron screen in New York – it isn’t the first time her image has been in lights.
Previously the St Alphege School pupil has modeled for Primark and Disney and has been seen on the pages of the Entertainer catalogue as well as on images for the store and the Early Learning Centre.
And this year she has added a world-famous landmark to her portfolio after her submission was chosen to appear in the annual campaign from 2.600 portraits sent in.
The NDSS empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities, and shifting public perceptions.
As part of its mission in 1995, the charity started a Buddy Walk which has been the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome in the United States and is also seen as the world’s most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community.
The New York City Buddy Walk is the flagship walk and attracts participants from across America and the world each year.
The hour-long presentation kicks off the NYC Buddy Walk and is streamed live on Facebook.
The presentation will be livestreamed on the NDSS Facebook page from 2:30pm to 3:30pm on September 6.
