Video summary
Three-year-old Emmy Shafer, a preschooler from Clearbrook with Down syndrome, is set to make a significant journey from her quiet home to the bright lights of Times Square in New York City. Selected from over 2,700 entries, Emmy will have her photograph featured in a National Down Syndrome Society presentation, marking a major milestone for her family. This achievement represents more than just a media appearance; it is a testament to the resilience and hope that has grown within the Shafer household after facing numerous medical challenges, including three major surgeries during Emmy's early years.
The photo chosen for this prestigious event holds deep personal significance for the family, depicting Emmy riding her vintage Radio Flyer car—a gift her father wanted for her even before she was born. While the family initially felt fear regarding the diagnosis of Down syndrome, their perspective has shifted dramatically as they have come to see Emmy not through the lens of a medical condition but as their beautiful little girl. This transformation in outlook is central to their message, hoping that other families can also look past the diagnosis and focus on the unique individuality and joy their children bring to their lives.
For the Shafer family, this opportunity to be seen on a massive Jumbotron offers Emmy a profound sense of belonging and validation. The parents hope that through this experience, Emmy will internalize the feeling that she is counted, included, and celebrated by a community that believes in her worth. This moment serves as a powerful counterbalance to the heavy medical moments they have endured, replacing them with positive memories and reinforcing the idea that every child matters regardless of their circumstances.
The presentation in Times Square is scheduled for this Saturday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Central Time, followed by the New York City Buddy Walk, an event dedicated to celebrating individuals with disabilities. By participating in such high-profile events, organizations like the National Down Syndrome Society aim to foster a culture of acceptance and visibility. Ultimately, Emmy's journey from Clearbrook to the heart of Manhattan symbolizes a broader message that love, support, and inclusion can transform how society perceives and treats children with special needs, ensuring they grow up knowing they truly belong.
Read the full video transcript
A local preschooler's about to be
featured in the bright lights of Times
Square. Reporter Ryan Fleming tells us
about the Clearbrook family preparing
for the big moment.
>> At just 3 years old, Emmy Shafer is
headed for a big stage. The Clearbrook
preschooler, who has Down syndrome, was
chosen from more than 2,700 entries to
have her picture featured in a National
Down Syndrome Society Times Square
presentation.
>> We are honestly scared of the diagnosis.
Um but that was before we knew better.
And now that Emmy is here, we don't see
the diagnosis anymore. We just see our
beautiful little girl, and I hope that's
what other families see, and I hope that
they're not scared of the diagnosis,
either, because it's just a very, very
small part of who she is.
>> What started as a simple snapshot at
home soon became something much bigger
for the Shafers. And the photo
ultimately chosen carries a little extra
family meaning.
From a quiet home in Clearbrook to the
bright lights in Times Square, one
picture of Emmy is about to make quite
the journey.
>> I submitted three very different photos,
but we had one in particular that I knew
seeing that on a big Jumbotron would
really stand out. And it's actually of
Emmy riding her little vintage Radio
Flyer car that my husband wanted for her
before she was even born.
>> For Emmy's dad, the Times Square
spotlight is more than just a picture.
It's a joyful milestone after some much
tougher ones.
>> 3 years old and had
three major medical, you know,
surgeries, things like that. And so,
when life has these big, heavy moments
that come at you and all this,
it's really nice that there's things out
there that offset it with these big
positive moments.
>> For this family, the bright lights of
New York represent more than a moment on
the screen. They're a chance for her to
grow up knowing that she was seen,
celebrated, and surrounded by a group of
people that believe she belongs.
>> I hope, you you that she'll in her own
way recognize like, "Wow,
I'm here. I'm seen. I count. I'm
included, you know? And And this all
matters. And my friends matter."
>> Reporting in Clearbrook, I'm Ryan
Fleming, Lakeland News. The Times Square
presentation runs this Saturday from
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Central Time with a
New York City Buddy Walk following
afterward.