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Brothers spread word from Giant Screen in Times Square
reprinted from The Cary News, November 4, 2000 By Megan Jones, staff writer
Two Cary boys found their 15 minutes of fame recently, when their picture was included in a montage that was broadcast on the larger-than-life Nasdaq screen in New York City's Times Square. A picture of Thomas Austin Zahn, 3, was selected from more than a thousand entrees by the National Down Syndrome Society for its campaign to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome can be successfully included in community activities, education and employment. The winning snapshot shows Thomas and his 7-year-old brother Hunter, riding a little truck on Thomas's second birthday. Hunter is pushing and Thomas is at the wheel. His parents, Mary and Bill Zahn, traveled to New York with friends Tommy and Lisa Byrd to see the Zahn's sons appear in the 30-minute video. A crowd of about 2,000 joined them to watch the video, which also included a public service announcement starring actors Tracey Ullmanb and Chris Burke (Corky on the ABC series, "Life Goes On.) "It was wonderful, just great," Mrs. Zahn said. "My husband said seeing them up there brought tears to his eyes." After the video had run twice, the group was escorted by off-duty New York City police officers to Central Park, where they walked the sixth annual Buddy Walk for Down syndrome awareness. Thomas and Austin stayed home in Cary this trip, because their parents thought it might be too overwhelming. "We took lots of pictures, though" Mrs Zahn said, which will be included in a scrapbook for the boys to look at later. They also bought a copy of the video. This kind of public demonstration is important for families and parents touched by Down syndrome, Mrs. Zahn said. She hoped that passersby would leave with a greater sense of understanding and that the families would know that they had the support of a large community. Down syndrome is the leading cause of mental retardation in this country, affecting about 1 in 650 live births. It's common, though, for parents with affected babies to think that they're alone. That's why the Zahns, working with other families in the Triangle, have formed the Triangle Down Syndrome Network. While they can't launch as large a campaign as the national association - and even if they could, there's a shortage of truly enormous public television screens to broadcast from - they do what they can to get out in the community. This month, National Down Syndrome Awareness month, the local group organized a Buddy Walk of its own in Cary's Crowder Park. Members also meet regularly to talk and hear guest speakers, and they have put together a bookl3et of information for new parents. "I just know how I felt" when she found our Thomas had Down syndrome, Mrs. Zahn said. "Inclusion is so important. I want people not to feel sorry for hi, but to have compassion. Thomas is just like you and me, and he can do everything we can do, it just takes him a little longer."
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