Actress Lauren Potter is 21 years old, and has Downs Syndrome. President Obama has announced that he intends to appoint her to a Presidential Committee. This could be due to her involvement with AbilityPath as the spokesperson for the “Disable Bullying” campaign.
You might recognize actress Lauren Potter from the popular television show called “Glee”. She plays the role of Becky Jackson, a character who tried out to be on the Cherrio’s squad, and was selected to join it by Coach Sue, (who is generally mean and nasty).
The majority of high schools do not include students who have special needs into their cheerleading squads. This is changing, thanks to things like “The Sparkle Effect”.
Earlier this year, Lauren Potter became a spokesperson for the “Disable Bullying” campaign that AbilityPath was bringing awareness to. She spoke to members of Congress about her own experiences when she was in school, and was bullied. In addition to working with AbilityPath, she has worked with the Special Olympics, the Down Syndrome Association, and the American Association of People with Disabilities.
President Obama has announced his intent to appoint Lauren Potter to be a member of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. That is a pretty impressive appointment for a person who is only 21 years old, (with or without Down Syndrome).
The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities provides advice regarding intellectual disabilities to the President, and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It is made up of 21 citizen members, each of whom is appointed by either the President, or one of 13 federal government members. This committee will provide advice about education, homeownership, and workplace integration issues. The findings of this committee are reported to the President.
I think the idea is that if people who have special needs are included as a part of this committee, then it will be easier to identify the needs of this group, and to make sure those needs are met. It allows people who have special needs to have a say in the policies and legislation that will affect them.
Lauren Potter has made a statement that I think is worth noting. She said:
“Our challenges are the same as many others, we want to be safe in school – free from bullying and teasing, we hope to be welcomed at parks, recreation centers and other community activities, we worry about jobs and where we will live but mostly we want to be treated how you want to be treated – with respect!”
Image by Anna Fox on Flickr