Little Amy in starring role
Down’s syndrome group film video
A Lanarkshire tot has taken part in a carpool karaoke style video to raise awareness of Down’s syndrome.
Three-year-old Amy Scott and her mum Karen starred in the heartwarming video called ‘50 Mums, 50 Kids, 1 Extra Chromosome’ in order to break stereotypes on the genetic condition.
The video was created by parents from the group Designer Genes, who filmed themselves and their kids singing and using sign language to Christina Perri’s song A Thousand Years in the Car.
Karen, who is from Motherwell, became part of Designer Genes when Amy was only 14 weeks old.
She said: “I met a mum in Yorkhill when Amy had her heart surgery and she recommended the group, which is for which is for kids born with Down’s syndrome, in 2013/14.
“It sounds cheesy, but we are just one big family. Some of us have never met each other but we’re all friends and we are there for each other, through the good and bad. We want to celebrate our children for who they are, and enjoy our lives.”
One mum of a four-year-old in the group saw a ‘singing hands’ carpool karaoke video which was signed with Makaton, a simplified form of British Sign Language.
She joked online about how she had imagined a video with a bunch of her friends mimicking the idea with their children.
Thoughts became reality. And, before long, over 50 mums had filmed themselves in their cars then uploaded the results.
One parent in the group pulled all the clips together and the result was astonishing – a guaranteed positive tear-jerker giving off a powerful message about disability, diversity and inclusion without having to say a word.
In an attempt to avoid copyright issues the group contact the original artist, Christina Perri, via her husband on Twitter, Paul Costabile. Within an hour, the La-based couple were declaring their heartfelt support of the campaign.
Karen (40), said: “I wanted to get involved to help promote awareness regarding Down’s syndrome, as Amy has been the best thing to have happened to me.
“Being part of this video is just so amazing, it has turned out even better than we all thought it would!”
The proud mum said that she wouldn’t change her wee one for anything, adding: “Amy’s full of determination and love and I wouldn’t change her for the world.
“I also have a little boy Lucas (6), and he adores his sister. Amy goes to mainstream nursery, as her brother did, and they all love her to bits. She loves music and dancing. Mickey Mouse is her favourite, along with Paw Patrol,the Wiggles and Youtube! She loves going to nursery and is very popular. She’s determined, happy and bossy.”
She added: “I wouldn’t change her for the world – I want to change the world for her!”
The video was made ahead of World Down’s Syndrome Day and you can watch it at our website or Facebook page.