Ferrari family, from left: Auggie’s brother Giorgio, dad Michael, mom Paula, and Auggie.
By Margie Barham
When Paula Ferrari talks about her son Auggie, pride comes through first. “I am incredibly proud of him,” she says. “He is an amazing boy who is such a joy and inspiration.” Now, that joy is being shared on one of the biggest stages in the world: Times Square.
Auggie was selected from more than 2,700 entries submitted to the National Down Syndrome Society’s worldwide call for photos. His image will appear on two Jumbotron screens above Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square, with support from Clear Channel Outdoor. The Times Square Video Presentation will be livestreamed on the NDSS Facebook page from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. ET on September 12.
For Auggie and his family, the honor is more than a photograph on a screen. It is a celebration of a young boy who brightens the lives of the people around him and reminds others that people with Down syndrome are valued members of every community.
This fourth grader at Petway Elementary in Vineland loves school, his big brother Giorgio, baseball, modeling, and advocating for the disability community. He has been modeling since he was one year old, loves being on camera, and is especially excited that his photo will appear near the real-life area he connects with “Stark Tower” from his favorite Marvel universe.
Those who know Auggie see the moment as both a celebration of who he is and a reminder of why representation matters. “Having Auggie featured on the Jumbotron in Times Square for the National Down Syndrome Society is such a special and meaningful moment,” said Allison Dorsey, M.S., CCC-SLP, Auggie’s speech-language pathologist.
“As Auggie’s speech-language pathologist, I have had the privilege of watching him grow and shine. Auggie is a friendly, social, brave, and determined student who always gives his best effort and approaches each day with a smile on his face. He brings so much joy to those around him and reminds us that every person has something incredible to share with the world. I am so proud of Auggie and honored to celebrate him and all that makes him truly special.”
Auggie is also already using his voice as an advocate. Last year, he spoke to the entire student body and staff at this school during a Down syndrome day presentation with the local nonprofit From We Can’t to We Can. His advocacy continues and this fall, he will walk the red carpet at Edelman Fossil Park as part of From We Can’t to We Can’s Roar for a Reason Gala. He will also travel with his mother and older brother to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National Down Syndrome Congress Policy Summit.
“He’s a busy guy,” Paula says, “and I’m honored to be on this journey with him.”
For Trinity Jagdeo, founder of From We Can’t to We Can, Auggie’s presence is also about visibility and possibility. “When we get the opportunity to see someone that looks like us, in the media, or the entertainment industry, it gives us an internal hope, and a promise that we have the potential to aspire to anything,” she said. “In a society that follows things that fade, we miss the diversity of perspectives and lives that deserve to be seen. As the human race, our stories, and faces reflect our individuality, and presenting a minority in the spotlight on one of the biggest platforms is transformative for not only someone like Auggie, but it begs the world to see the person as more. Auggie and all people with disabilities deserve to be on platforms and stages that everyone else is on. An opportunity like these challenges our status quo, and we need more of that.”
Perhaps more than anyone, his big brother Giorgio is immensely proud to see Auggie recognized in such a meaningful way. “I’m so proud of Auggie,” Giorgio beamed, “He inspires me every day to believe that anything is possible.”
Of course, Auggie is excited, too, and understands the importance of showing others what people with Down syndrome can do. “I can’t believe my picture is going to be on the Jumbotron in Times Square!” Auggie said. “I can’t wait to see myself up there! I’m so excited to show everyone that people like me can do BIG things!”
The Buddy Walk
The Times Square Video Presentation helps kick off the New York City Buddy Walk®, held at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. The New York City event is the flagship walk of the National Buddy Walk® Program, which was established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995. According to NDSS, the Buddy Walk® was created to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and has grown into the world’s largest and most recognizable Down syndrome awareness program, with walks held across the United States and in select international locations.
The mission behind the Buddy Walk® is simple and powerful: To promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome while raising funds for local programs and national advocacy. NDSS works to create a world where individuals with Down Syndrome thrive, and Buddy Walk events help make that mission visible in communities everywhere by bringing families, friends, schools, organizations, and neighbors together in support.
Auggie’s Times Square feature is a perfect reflection of that mission. His smile, energy, and confidence show what advocates and families know so well: People with Down Syndrome are not defined by a diagnosis. They are students, siblings, friends, athletes, performers, leaders, and community members who can and do accomplish great things. Auggie’s story invites others to see the beauty of inclusion and to celebrate the many ways people with Down Syndrome strengthen the world around them.
