NEW YORK — Zachary Ginet of Seaville will appear in the bright lights of Broadway on Sat., Sept. 17, as part of the National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) annual Times Square Video presentation. The featured photographs highlight children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome, reminding the world in a very big 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, which is the mission of NDSS.
The photo of Zachary, who happens to have Down syndrome, was selected from over 2,000 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos. Over 400 photographs will appear in the video, which will be shown in the heart of Times Square.
Zachary is pictured on the medal stand at his first Special Olympic swim meet at the Ocean City Aquatic Center after receiving the gold medal in the 25m freestyle. Zach loves to swim and has been a member of the Ocean City Stingrays swim team for one year. Besides swimming, Zach is also active with Upper Township Challenger Sports playing soccer, baseball, hockey & bowling throughout the year. He also has a love for surfing and could be found on 57th Street every Sat. this summer catching waves with the Heart of Surfing. Zach is also a student at the American Martial Arts Academy and is currently a Blue Belt. Although Zach may have Down syndrome, he is like many other 16 year old boys who love to stay active and spend time with his family and friends! Zach is looking forward to his Sophomore year at Ocean City High School where he is a member of the Best Buddies Club.
The Times Square Video presentation kicks off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Oct. The video presentation will be followed by the 22nd Annual Flagship Buddy Walk in NYC. This year, Buddy Walk events will be held in more than 275 cities across the country, as well as select international locations, in and around October with over 325,000 people participating around the globe. For more information about the NDSS National Buddy Walk Program, visit www.buddywalk.org or call 800-221-4602.
Locally, Zachary Ginet and his family are very active in 21 Down, a Down syndrome family support group for Atlantic & Cape May counties and in the planning of the local Buddy Walk that is held annually in Ocean City. His mother, Pam Ginet, is a volunteer board member for 21 Down and has been on the 21 Down Buddy Walk planning committee for 16 years. This year’s 21 Down Buddy Walk is being held in Ocean City on Sun., Oct. 9 at the Ocean City Civic Center with a 1 mile walk on the boardwalk and 2 hours of rides at Playland’s Castaway Cove for participants who raise $25. The 21 Down Buddy Walk is the only fundraiser that 21 Down holds to fund their yearly activities that the members are able to enjoy at no cost to them. These activities include a Valentine social, family fitness day, Wildwood beach day, bowling, Halloween dance, Storybook Land trip & Holiday dance as well as donations are made to national and local agencies that provide services/activities to the kids. Local support and awareness are very important for families who have a child with a disability because this allows them to network and support each other as they are sharing similar life experiences. You can find more information about 21 Down and the Buddy Walk in Ocean City at www.21down.org or call (609)390-5645.
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