Give A Smile-Get A Smile
Giving a smile is a contagious act. When someone smiles at you, you're more inclined to return the gesture with one of your own. This can go on and on, making the hearts of people around better for it.
But sometimes giving just one smile isn't enough — like when that customer requests that you put peanut butter in their almond butter & jelly sandwich or when there's a loved one coping with depression and needs an extra boost of positivity in their life.
In these situations and more, folks of all ages with Down syndrome sometimes use the power of their gift of gab to spread smiles to others. But they're not just spreading smiles around; they're spreading awareness about Down syndrome as well.
One such person who uses his gift to spread both smiles and awareness is George Houghton, a 22-year-old with Down syndrome living in California. Every week he writes a poem or writes letters to friends and family on Facebook, which often get thousands of likes and shares.
"Every week he writes a poem or writes letters to friends and family on Facebook, which often get thousands of likes and shares."
For the last year, his Facebook page Smile, Give Hope has gotten more than 300,000 likes and helped connect him with other people living with Down syndrome who can share their stories.
A few months ago George entered his poem "Mother" into an online contest that would be read by actress Katherine Heigl. The film is called Smiley, a comedy about a woman who sets out on a mission to spread happiness as she grapples with the diagnosis of her young son's rare illness.
Houghton's poem won, and Heigl read it on the show. The director of the film was so inspired by the words that he decided to showcase them in a major way.
When you tune into Fox's premiere of Smiley: The Movie on Nov. 9, viewers will see "Mother" repeated several times throughout the special between scenes — and George won't just have those words read to him; he'll be featured in the movie itself.
"The director of the film was so inspired by the words that he decided to showcase them in a major way. When you tune into Fox's premiere of Smiley: The Movie on Nov. 9, viewers will see 'Mother' repeated several times throughout the special between scenes."
George will be a spokescharacter: He'll be featured in the film in an altered reality where he's interviewing Heigl. His onscreen appearance will also include footage of a real dog named Lola who George had to get rid of so he could star in the movie.
"He won't just have those words read to him; he'll be featured in the movie itself."
It's a big moment for George, who has always wanted to work behind the scenes but didn't think it would ever come true.
But that's what makes Smiley so special — it isn't just showcasing the power of George's words; it's showcasing the power of his story. With a little hard work and dedication, this young man was able to make his dream come true. And you can bet your last dollar that he will continue to spread smiles, one word at a time.
For more on Smiley: The Movie, visit smileythesmileymovie.com .
Article source: The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/05/george-houghton-down-syndrom_n_3913888.html?utm_hp_ref=TEDYouth&ir=TEDYouth
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ABOUT THE CHIEF EDITOR:
Susan Rosario began her career in school administration, eventually becoming the first and only full time Special Ed. High School Principal in Chicago. She then went on to become a Middle School Principal, finally working her way up to Director at the age of 36. After 10 years of working in public education as a principal and a special education teacher, she left her job to travel the world. She spent two years sailing around the Caribbean, then another year traveling from country to country in Southeast Asia. She has spent the last three years backpacking across Europe and the Middle East while writing for various websites and producing her own travel documentary. ___________________ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Blake Graham is an avid traveler and writer, currently with 10 countries under his belt. His blog Wander Revolution features tips for budget travelers interested in exploring off-the-beaten path destinations around the globe. He can be followed on Twitter @hobbitree or emailed directly at blake@wanderrevolution.com.
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This article was originally featured on Give A Smile-Get A Smile by Blake Graham. It is republished here with permission from the author. The views expressed in this post are entirely those of the author and in no way reflect the views of The Down Syndrome Education Network, Inc., its staff, or its Board of Directors. The Down Syndrome Education Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not endorse products or services. To view a copy of this license, please visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ . _____________________
Rufus May, L.H.D., is a licensed counselor, psychotherapist and author with over 30 years of experience working with families and individuals impacted by the Down syndrome condition. Rufus works with teens and adults who have Down syndrome as well as their families who want to understand their unique strengths and challenges. He is currently working on a book which will be published in early 2014. To contact Rufus, send an email to rufus@downsyndromelives.com or visit his website at http://www.downsyndromelives.com/.
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Conclusion
A recent article in the UK Daily Telegraph told of a young man with Down Syndrome who set up his own business:
"Kev is the self-made millionaire of the week. A former computer programming genius, he has spent the last four years turning his coding skills into a real-life business. Kev, 32, from Warwickshire, created a successful e-commerce company, trading in where to buy local services and construction materials. His company has been so successful that he now employs four people and is planning on expanding.