ASTON, Pa. (WPVI) — A 2-year-old boy from Aston, Pennsylvania, will be featured in Times Square this weekend as part of a campaign to raise awareness of Down syndrome.<\/p>\n
Charlie Kelly’s photo was selected from nearly 3,000 entries submitted in a worldwide call for photos organized by the National Down Syndrome Society.<\/p>\n
His image is scheduled to appear Saturday on two Times Square jumbotrons alongside photos of 500 babies, children and adults with Down syndrome representing all 50 states.<\/p>\n
For Charlie’s mother, Marcy Kelly, remembers the moment she learned her son had been chosen.<\/p>\n
“It was an emotional moment when I got that email, saying that he was selected for this, because, you know, he’s only 2 years old,” Kelly said.<\/p>\n
The campaign is intended to raise awareness of Down syndrome while highlighting the lives and experiences of people living with the condition.<\/p>\n
For Charlie’s family, the recognition also serves as an opportunity to celebrate their son and connect with others in the Down syndrome community.<\/p>\n
“Just because he has an extra chromosome though, doesn’t mean he is different than any other kid, right? He loves Miss Rachel. He loves to play, he loves to sing, he loves his big sister and interacting,” Kelly said.<\/p>\n
Charlie and his family also plan to take part in the Buddy Walk in New York, an event designed to spotlight people living with Down syndrome and promote community inclusion.<\/p>\n
The Times Square display and Buddy Walk will give Charlie and hundreds of other participants an opportunity to be recognized while helping raise awareness about Down syndrome and the importance of inclusion.<\/p>\n
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