On Broadway: Butler resident to be featured in society video
Jacob Sabo, 19, of Butler will appear in lights on Broadway Sept. 12 as part of the National Down Syndrome Society's annual Times Square video presentation.
The featured photographs highlight children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome, reminding the world in a very public way about the contributions and milestones of people with Down syndrome.
These collective images promote the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
Jacob's mother, Lynda Sabo, said, “His still photo will be one of 500 photos shown in Times Square.”
“This video is a terrific way to showcase some of the incredible individuals with Down syndrome living in our communities across the country,” said Kandi Pickard, society president and CEO. “It is something the community looks forward to every year.”
Sabo said this is the fourth year Jacob's photo was selected as one of 500 photographs that will appear in the video, streamed on the society's social media from the heart of Times Square.
In his photo, Jacob is shown holding a sparkler on a beach on Presque Isle in Erie.Sabo said Jacob is a student at the Watson Institute in Sewickly.“Although it's up in the air right now, if school is going to start in the fall,” she said.Jacob also enjoys playing baseball in the Miracle League of Southwestern Pa., which plays its games at Graham Park in Cranberry Township.He also goes therapeutic riding once a week from April through October at the Riding for the Handicapped of Pennsylvania facility in North Park.“We try to get outdoors as much as we can,” his mother said. “He likes to explore parks: Preston, Succop, Alameda. We go to the free concerts in Alameda whenever we can.”According to the society, the selection process of photos for the video begins shortly after Down Syndrome Day March 21.Society members select 500 photos from the thousands submitted from all over the world to make up the hour video.The video will be shown on the Clear Channel giant Jumbotron located in the heart of Times Square from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.The Times Square video presentation kicks off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
The video presentation will be followed by the New York City Buddy Walk, which will take place virtually this year for the first time in its 26-year history because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Colleen Hatcher, manager of community relations for the society.Buddy Walk events will take place virtually in more than 150 cities across the country, as well as in select international locations, this fall with more than 325,000 people participating around the globe.Registered participants who walk in their own neighborhoods are still eligible to receive a T-shirt and medal.Sabo said she and Jacob have almost always participated in Pittsburgh Buddy Walk since Jacob was born.For information about the National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk program, visit 222.buddywalk.org or call 800-221-4602.
