Utah girl sees herself in Times Square as part of National Down Syndrome Society’s NYC Buddy Walk

MURRAY, Utah (ABC4) — Murray’s own Sammi Wilde had the amazing opportunity to have her picture of the big screens of Times Square in New York City.

This past weekend the National Down Syndrome Society hosted their 31st NYC Buddy Walk. To kick off the walk, they show a video with pictures of 500 people with Down syndrome from across the world.  And this year, Sammi had a chance to shine.

It was an amazing moment when Sammi saw herself in Times Square.  She was larger than life, for everyone to see.

Sammi’s mom Amy said, “The picture that we chose is just one that just gets me.  Her eyes, it just gets her.  She’s so wise inside.  Even though she doesn’t have a lot of words, she knows a lot and this picture shows it.  It’s pretty awesome.”

The special day started with the video of 500 pictures on Times Square and ended with the Buddy Walk.  A chance for people to come together and walk to Central Park.  A celebration of the down syndrome common city and a reminder everyone is important.

Amy continued, “They bring in inclusion and show visibility of these people that are amazing and have so much to offer.  People are more than just their disability.”

While Sammi was excited for her time to shine, Amy was excited for the world to see her daughter.

Amy said, “I know how much she impacts me.  Just every day. She loves freely.  Sometimes that is hard to do, but for her it is not.”

This opportunity is just one more opportunity for inclusion.  One that doesn’t just benefit Sammi, but everyone around her.  Between school, Special Olympics and dancing; Sammi shows each day to love freely and share your light.

Amy said to her daughter, “The whole world is going to see you, is that exciting?”  Sammi responded, “yes.”