Next month, Amanda DSilva from Dubai will have her face light up the screens of New York’s Times Square as part of a global celebration of inclusion.
Amanda, a 22-year-old with Down syndrome, was selected for the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Times Square Video Presentation on September 6. Her photo was chosen from over 2,600 submissions to feature in this annual event, highlighting more than 500 individuals with Down syndrome from the US and 11 other countries.
The video will be displayed for an hour on two large screens near the Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square and will be streamed live on NDSS’s Facebook page from 5.30pm to 6.30pm UAE time. This event kicks off the New York City Buddy Walk, an awareness initiative that started in 1995.
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Raised in Dubai, Amanda attended a mainstream Gems school and now works as a hostess at a French restaurant at the Sofitel Downtown Hotel. She is also a freelance model, participating in shoots that promote diversity.
Through her mother Anita, Amanda expressed her excitement about returning to New York, eager to see Times Square “in the brightest way possible.”
Amanda is the youngest of two sisters. Her older sister, who is 26 and lives in Canada, will travel to New York to join the family for this special occasion.
For Anita, Amanda’s recognition is both personal and symbolic. “This is a proud moment for our family,” Anita shared. “Amanda is dedicated to her work, welcomes guests warmly, and learns French phrases like bonjour (hello), merci (thank you), s’il vous plaît (please), au revoir (goodbye) to make everyone feel at home. Her determination and happiness inspire us.”
Anita commended Dubai for supporting Amanda’s success. “Dubai has allowed Amanda to study in mainstream schools, find work, and be treated with respect. The city’s support for people of determination is exceptional, and we are deeply thankful.”
Established in 1979, the NDSS is a leading human rights organization for individuals with Down syndrome in the US. Its Times Square presentation is a significant visual platform for inclusion, watched live by thousands and online by families worldwide.
